28.57 % Chapter7 Grace's friends stood frozen , watching Alexander Stone's car vanish into the night , its taillights dwindling until they disappeared . Fury shook them , but with Grace gravely injured , all they could do was rush her back to the hospital . When she opened her eyes again , the sterile white ceiling greeted her . Only a nurse was at her side . " Miss Miller , you ' re awake ? Thankfully your friends brought you here in time ... They said their companies had urgent matters to handle , but asked us to notify them once you regained consciousness . " " No need , " Grace rasped , cutting her off . " They ' re busy . Don't disturb them . " The nurse's eyes brimmed with sympathy . " But you need someone to care for you- ' } ) " I can take care of myself . " Grace shut her eyes , burying every trace of vulnerability where no one could see . The days that followed blurred into a fong , lonely convalescence . She ate alone . Changed her dressings alone . Lived alone . When she was finally discharged , she signed her own paperwork , hailed her own car , and went back to the vast , silent estate . Inside , she began packing . Every gift she had chosen with love , every dress she had once hoped he might notice , every silly " couple's set " she had bought in secret - she threw them all into the trash . By the time she dragged her aching body through the last pile , the front doors opened . Alexander walked in with Bella Hart nestled at his side , his arm snug around her waist . He didn't spare Grace a glance . Instead , he turned straight to the waiting butler . " Bella needs rest . She'll be living here for a while . Prepare the master bedroom - the one with the best light . Everything must be new . She likes pink , so silk bedding in that shade . Blackout curtains , and fresh white roses delivered daily . As for her meals- " Chapter 7 33.33 % Download His voice was steady , serious , meticulous in detail . From the staircase , Grace stood listening , her chest frozen solid . She remembered her own arrival . No warm instructions , no personal care . Just a curt order for the assistant to put her in a guest room . One cold sentence . ' Ask the butler if you need anything . ' So this was love . This was the difference . Head lowered , she tried to slip away upstairs quietly . " Stop ! " Bella's sharp voice rang out . Grace turned , startled , as Bella's reddened eyes fixed on her dress . " Why are you dressed to match Alexander ? " Grace blinked , confused , before glancing down . Alexander wore a dark blue shirt today . She was in an old dark blue dress . Nothing more than a coincidence . Before she could explain , Bella was already fuming . " Alexander belongs to me ! No one else is allowed to wear the same color as him ! Take it off . Right now . " Grace's voice cracked with disbelief . " It's just a coincidence- " " I don't care ! Take it off !" Bella shrieked , throwing herself into Alexander's arms , sobbing . " She ' s bullying me ! " His face hardened . Without hesitation , he barked at the staff , " Didn't you hear Bella ? Get her out of that dress ' . " " Alexander Stone ! Don't you dare ! " Grace backed away y in horror . But the household staff only obeyed him . They grabbed her , ignoring her frantic struggles and cries . Fabric tore with a sharp , humiliating rip . In moments , Grace stood in the center of the grand hall stripped down to her undergarments , surrounded by maids and footmen whose gazes ranged from pity to contempt . Humiliation . Fury . Despair . They shredded her more cruelly than any physical touch . Alexander's voice cut through , cold and merciless . " Next time , be mindful . Don't wear my color again - unless you want Bella upset . Or the consequences won't stop at losing a dress . " Chapter7 33.33 % Download Shaking violently , Grace nearly crawled up the stairs , fleeing to the safety of her room . Chapter7