As the car stopped in front of Palm Bay, Grace stepped out first, reaching to steady Ethan.

But his hand jerked away, quick and sharp, like she had burned him.

Grace stared at him with a deadpan look.

Just hours ago, he had practically melted into her touch in the backseat. Now, he was recoiling like she had insulted him.

She stepped back and gestured for the others to help instead.

Ethan was helped out slowly, the magnolia still in his hand.

Grace glanced at it, and her irritation slipped-just like Ed, he liked the same flower and shared the same taste.

"Take care, Mr. Henderson. I'll get going now. Don't forget your meds, and stop pushing yourself so hard."

"Mm."

Ethan was already being wheeled inside and didn't even glance back.

Grace didn't wait, and she had no interest in reading his silence.

However, there was no way she would get a cab out here.

A few minutes later, a car pulled out from Palm Bay, sent to drop her off.

She accepted it.

After all, it was still snowing, and there was no need to freeze for pride- Christmas was around the corner.

Inside Palm Bay, Ethan looked oddly cheerful.

"Give me a vase," he said to Tim.

Tiim knew exactly where the magnolia came from.

He brought one over, but Ethan barely gave it a glance before pulling the flower back out.

"Too plain. Get something prettier."

vase after vase, but even after fifteen vases,

light in his eyes dimmed, and

quickly made some calls, asking people to send

piece by a famous master of traditional carving arrived—it had

expected

glanced at the elegant, antique piece.

placed the

heading for the elevator with

his forehead,

could a mountain-picked magnolia look only "acceptable" in a

Ethan was treating this like a game

setting it by his bed so

flowers wouldn't last, and that thought dragged

up and, spotting the shift, chimed in, "There's advanced tech for this-we can preserve

then added, "Though I

made the

time Grace got home, she was so

back, the whole trip had revolved

he wouldn't lie... he couldn't have gone through all that just for

of irritation crept up on her. It felt like she had

and shot Ethan

your

"Yes."

What a cold response.

she thought about it, the more annoyed she

if he was playing her, but really-the mighty CEO of Henderson

phone aside, refusing to

she woke up again, it was already ten at night. She was hungry, and the fridge was empty. With no better option, she

opened the door, she ran into

holding a woven basket and raised an

"Grocery run?" Grace asked.

ended up

it was almost Christmas when she saw the festive displays at the

that back then,

upscale villas and townhouses in the area, so most of the goods were premium

Selene standing by a display of emerald bracelets and asked, puzzled, "Who are

of the bracelets. "My mom. Her birthday's in a

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