Chapter 8

When Louise called his name the third time, Brian finally snapped out of it. “What’s wrong?” he asked.

Louise’s eyes darkened slightly as she smiled. “Nothing, what were you thinking about? Work stuff?”

Brian absentmindedly nodded and softly said, “Yeah.”

“I mentioned earlier, let’s go take wedding photos tomorrow, okay?”

Brian hadn’t really been thinking. He just nodded again. “Sure.”

Louise quietly resumed eating her soup, not saying another word.

Grace didn’t have much luggage, and her clothes were minimal. In less than half an hour, she had packed all her belongings. Carrying the cumbersome suitcase, she carefully guarded her stomach as she descended the stairs.

Seeing her, Melvin immediately rushed to help. “Miss Sherman, let me help you.”

Grace gave a bitter smile. “Melvin, don’t address me like that anymore. From today onwards, I’m living and dining with the staff. I’m just a maid in this house, so just call me Grace.”

Melvin couldn’t bear to look at her, sighed deeply, and ultimately said nothing. He took the suitcase and headed for the servants‘ quarters.

“Miss Sherman, the servants‘ quarters are all shared rooms. There’s still one room unoccupied. It might be more spacious for you to have it all to yourself.”

Grace nodded. “Thank you, Melvin.”

“You don’t need to thank me. Those of us who’ve served many households consider you the best employer we’ve ever had. You never put on airs in front of us and often help with our chores. It’s heartbreaking to see how Mr. Francis is treating you now.”

Grace brushed it off with a smile. “I’m fine, Melvin. Could you help me move another box?”

It wasn’t that she was too lazy to move the box herself. She just didn’t want to go outside her room again. Running into Brian and Louise was too painful for her.

On the second day, Grace was still in the kitchen making breakfast. Suddenly, a graceful figure walked in, reaching out warmly to grab her arm, asking, “Hey, Grace, what’s cooking for breakfast today?”

Grace stiffened a bit, her voice calm as she replied, “Just sandwiches.”

“I’ll help you,” Louise said, rolling up her sleeves to pitch in.

Louise toasted bread in the oven and turned to Grace, saying, “Brian and I are going to try on wedding dresses today. Want to come along?”

Grace paused her egg frying.

On the other side, Brian, in his sharp suit, leaned against the door. Grace’s back turned to him. He couldn’t see her expression but could tell she’d tensed up.

Suddenly, a flash from yesterday crossed his mind when he’d asked her to move to the servant’s room.

Her defiance was etched on her face, making his heart skip a beat. He wondered if Grace, used to the soft bed, had a tough time sleeping in the maid’s room last night. Seeing her lost and distant now, he thought, even taking her to the gown store wouldn’t change a thing. In that instant, he thought he’d let her off if she refused to go. But after waiting a while, she hadn’t reacted.

“Grace? Want to join us, huh?”

“What can she do by going? There’s so much housework left. She can stay back to clean,” Brian suddenly spoke up.

Grace didn’t want to turn and look at him, focusing solely on her task.

“Brian, Melvin can manage the chores. Grace isn’t well. She needs some rest. Let her come with us. A little outing might do her good, don’t you think?” Louise’s suggestion seemed reasonable and considerate to anyone listening as if she genuinely cared about Grace.

Grace turned slowly, carrying a plate of sandwiches to the dining area, seemingly unconcerned about their conversation. She didn’t even glance at Brian.

Brian’s gaze followed her, landing on the Band–Aid wrapped around her finger.

He figured it must’ve been from yesterday when she picked up the broken pieces. She’d hidden her finger then, and today, she seemed the same, leading him to think she might be upset and deliberately going against him. It was the first time Grace completely ignored him.

For some reason, this started irking him. Watching Grace go in and out, completely ignoring him, made his frustration surge like a growing flame.

“Fine, let’s go with that,” he said finally.

Grace finally reacted, looking at him with empty eyes devoid of any emotion. Brian felt a tightness in his chest. She’d never looked at him like that before.

Grace placed the last two cups of milk on the table and said, “I’ll go change,” before turning away and leaving.

Louise watched Grace’s back, biting her lip before turning to Brian. “Brian, was it because we asked Grace to move downstairs yesterday that she’s feeling a bit off? She hasn’t said a word to us this morning.”

Brian picked up a sandwich, his voice low. “Don’t worry about her.”

After finishing breakfast, they headed to the gown store. Grace sat alone in the back seat while Louise sat beside Brian, chatting away intimately. Grace stared out the window, her gaze empty, as if she’d lost her soul, merely a puppet. Upon arrival, Grace followed behind the couple into the gown store.

Louise was in high spirits, her face radiant with happiness. The store manager personally tended to her, recommending the two most expensive wedding dresses. Louise, holding the gowns, turned to Grace. “Grace, help me try these on, will you?”

Grace silently stood up from her chair and followed her into the fitting room.

“Grace, are you feeling down today? You haven’t said a word.” Louise observed Grace’s reflection in the mirror.

Grace focused on arranging the wedding dress in her hands and replied softly, “No, Miss Adkins, you’re overthinking it.”

Louise seemed unfazed by Grace’s indifference, continuing to smile warmly. “That’s good to hear. You Know, I don’t have many friends here. I worry I won’t have anyone to be my bridesmaid when Brian and I get married.”

“Why would that happen? With your charm, you must have many friends. There’ll surely be no shortage of people willing to be the bridesmaid for Mr. Brian and Miss Adkins.”

Each word Grace uttered seemed to inflict immense pain on her heart. After speaking a few more, she felt her heart growing numb with agony.

“I’m not lying to you. Oh! How about you be our bridesmaid?”

Grace’s hand trembled suddenly.

“Ah! It hurts!” Louise cried.

In her sudden shock, Grace found the zipper caught on the flesh of Louise’s back.

“Sorry,” Grace apologized instinctively.

The door was abruptly pushed open the next moment. Brian asked anxiously, “What happened?”

Louise, in tears from the pain, said, “Brian, is my back bleeding? Please check!”

Furrowing his brow, Brian turned to Grace. “What are you up to now?”

Louise stopped Brian from scolding Grace and quickly stepped in, trying to help out. She acted really nice, like the kindest person anyone could ever meet. “No, don’t blame her. She probably didn’t mean it.”

Grace lowered her head heavily, apologizing. “I’m sorry, it’s all my fault.”

Brian gave her a cold glance and then carefully unzipped the dress. “Is it still hurting? Let me massage it for you.”