âWhat!?!â Brian is incredulous.
âThe management has passed down instructions that we're not to approve any write-up about Grace Cummins," the editor replies.
Brian asks in amazement, "Is the Stevens or Atkinson family behind this?" It didn't make any sense to him. When he had written about Lily earlier on, the editor had approved his news. However, he was not allowed to write anything about Grace!
"It's not them. That's enough, don't ask any more questions. In any case, if this piece of news gets released, not only will you lose your job as a reporter, but I will be sacked as well!â
Brian rubs his eyes. To say he was shocked is an understatement. What the editor had said... seems too much of an exaggeration.
"Grace... is merely a sanitation worker. Who would want to protect her?"
"You're too young. In this world, there are many things beyond your imagination," the editor replies with a sigh. âBut take my advice on this⦠leave it alone.â
* * * * * * * * *
JASON I watch Grace putting away the utensils. âI heard that the woman who told you to search for her ring has gone to the Sanitation Service Center to offer her apologies."
"Yes," Grace replies, "but I have given her gift to Claire."
"Did you see Sean? I saw from the news that he showed up with his fiancee, Lily.â Iâm keeping my voice calm and acting like iâm focused on helping with the dishes, but Iâm watching Grace carefully for her reaction.
I count the pulse in her neck.
I breathe in her scent for any traces of adrenaline or fearâif sheâs lying or hiding something.
"Yes, I saw him," Grace replies. Her breathing rate doesnât change nor does her heart rate. She looks calm, as though she was talking about someone who was of no concern to her.
âHow do you feel? Did seeing Sean again make you sad?â
She looks a me. Her eyes are wide and innocent. âI think I know what youâre getting at.â She smiles softly. "Jay, are you worried about me? Don't worry. Please. I promise you, I would not grieve over such a man."
"Worried?"
Grace lifts her hand to my face. I donât normally permit people to touch me, least of all my face or without me initiating the contact. But recently, she was doing this more frequently. A pat on the hand, a caress on my shoulder.
And dontâ even get me started on my wolfâ¦
The bastard loves the way she pets him.
Not continuously to be annoying. Just the occasional rub or pet and then she just cuddles up next to the big beast, content to be near him.
Okay, Iâd be lying if I said I didnât like the feel of her hands on me. Even if itâs a touch so innocent as tucking his hair back.
âJay, Sean is nothing to me. I will not be sad over someone who doesn't love me. If I were sad, it would mean I still loved him."
I search her eyes trying to discern if sheâs saying that because she thinks she is supposed to or if she really means it.
âTruly,â she insists. âIâm glad I no longer feel anything at all when I saw him. And Iâm even more glad that I didnât marry Sean back then.â
âOh? Wouldnât your life have been much easier if heâd supported you? You might be married to him right now and not have to work a day.â
âThatâs not a benchmark for happiness,â she argues. âAnd I donât mind work. I miss being an attorney.
What I meant,â Grace says, âif my emotions could fade, then they were not that strong to begin with.â
âHmm.â
Her statement rings true to me.
And, if Iâm being honest with myself, I can point to similar relationships.
âSean revealed his true nature. And for that, I am grateful. It was a blessing to know that he was not the man for me.â
Conflict, hardships, lossâ¦they are what defined us.
Grace had been dealt a terrible hand, but sheâd risen above it. Maybe not financially, as she was strapped to a low-income job and living in a low-income apartment, but she was determined to be positive. And happy.
That was more than I could say for most of the people who run in my circles. Both figuratively and literally.
My familial pack is strong and we ensure the success of each member. Itâs what has limited the in-
fighting and what guarantees a strong sense of unity. But there are those that want more. That squander the resources and their opportunities.
Still, something of what sheâd said has me wondering⦠âSister, will you feel sad for me one day?"
It wasnât fair he realized, but he couldnât help it. He wanted to possess her attentionâeven her negative emotions.
Grace gasps.
I know what Iâm asking her.
âWill you?" I move, crowing her.
I watch her pupils dilate and the way her pulse skitters at the base of her throat. She sucks a tiny breath.
When her gaze fixes on mine, I see all the things she tries to hide from me. Her hope, her desire. Her uncertainty.
"I... what I meant earlier was, if I loved a person, I would be sad. However, Jay, you're my brother..."
Grace replies.
"Can't you love your brother?" I ask. I use my knuckles to lift up her chin and angle closer so she knows my intentions. âWe are, after all, familyâ¦â