Chapter 4

Evelyn’s face contorted with rage just as her father’s vicious slap connected with Grace’s face.

“What are you talking about!” her father screamed. “You drove a car into someone else and were locked up in jail because of it. Our entire family was shamed because of you. You don’t have a future anymore. Do you want to ruin your sister’s future as well?” His eyes were full of disgust for her.

“The one thing you did right was dating Sean Stevens and then you destroyed it all. We had so much respect from other businessmen and our relatives from that connection…”

Grace nodded, understanding that her father, Tony Cummins had been embarrassed.

Her relationship with Sean had afforded her dad the chance to claim a higher social ranking. When she fell… he did too. And her father resented her for it.

Her face burned and she knew she’d likely bear a bruise. But her expression remained calm as if she didn’t care at all.

“I originally just wanted to say a prayer for my mother—that was why you invited me back home, wasn’t it?—But now it seems there is no need for me to do it here. I won’t step foot in this house ever again.”

After saying this, Grace walked out of the house without looking back.

This place had never really been her “home,” and she should’ve stopped hoping for it to be a long time ago.

When Grace got to her apartment, the place was dark and the lights were off. When she turned on the lights, she was greeted by cold silence.

She could tell at a glance that there was no one else in the room.

Was Jason gone? Her heart suddenly felt a little empty. Which was silly, she knew. The man was a stranger. He’d helped her out, but he didn’t owe her anything, and she was very foolish to think he’d want to stay with her.

Grace let out a bitter laugh. She was alone. Again.

Something in her chest ached painfully at the thought as if acknowledging that even out of prison, she was still constricted, and destined to live out her existence without anybody.

Just as she was about to close the door, she saw a figure slowly walking towards her. She was stunned.

It was Jason.

longish hair almost covered the entire upper part of his face, making it difficult for people to see him clearly at a glance, but she knew that under that mussed hair was a face that could easily

an actor like her sister might work with on one of

man… was he really a homeless

the streets, and most of them carried elements of instability. She

were tribal animals

low and indifferent, but to her,

felt tight. “I… I thought you wouldn’t come

at her. “I just went

leaned to one side, pulled him into the room, and closed the door. Then, she

gently and felt that her whole body seemed to be

her, but some homeless stranger was the one to

I… wanted to light a candle for my Grandpa and mother. Today is the anniversary of his passing…as well

her. Her beloved grandpa and mother

as the took the prayer candle from her bag that she’d bought on the way home along with a

photo of a man. The man in the photo was about

candles

the

that pays well enough for me to feed myself. You

smile on her lips. However, her almond-shaped eyes looked misty. The light of the candle and the light of the lamp in the corner of the room mixed together

a small nose, and pink lips. She was not at all bad-looking, but he’d

Jennifer Atkinson, his fiancée, had been a rare beauty. To Jason, Grace’s looks

and naturally knew that today was the anniversary of her Grandpa’s death. He understood her to need to say some kind words and to acknowledge her Grandpa’s passing, but fresh out of prison and

she said softly. She then turned her head and looked at him. She smiled. Under

in and of itself was enough to bring her joy. After a moment, she turned to look at

closed her eyes and though her lips moved, whatever words

minutes before she nodded and opened her eyes. “Alright, I’ll clean up

“Sure,” he responded easily.

offered to help, but she bid him sit. He washed his hands and set out plates and utensils before sitting at the small table and

sound in the room, there was a rhythm to her motions as if she moved to

table between them and a plate of some egg frittata she’d

It smelled delicious.

and rather than eat

been

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