Chapter 53
The day Russell was discharged from the hospital, Grace was there to pick him up.
Russell asked with a smile, “Where are Antonio and Omar?”
Grace checked her watch and replied, “Omar’s at
kindergarten. It’s Friday today, so Antonio is also busy with work.” Russell’s face fell at her words.
He suggested, “Why not call Antonio to join us for a family meal?”
Not wanting to spoil Russell’s mood, Grace decided to take a day off and headed to the Kaufman Group for Antonio.
It brought back memories of her previous visits to Antonio’s workplace when she always got a cold shoulder. It got so bad that he finally lost his patience and gave her a warning.
At the lobby, the receptionist greeted her warmly, “Ma’am, how may I help you?” Grace gathered herself and said with a smile, “I’m here to see Antonio.”
The receptionist guided her to an office and then excused herself.
As Grace neared the door, she was about to knock when she heard Kendra’s sobs from within. Soon after, Antonio’s soft and considerate voice sounded. “Kendra, I’ll step up once the baby arrives.”
Grace stood outside, her heart feeling like it was frozen. Just
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then, the office door swung open.
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Antonio caught Grace’s gaze, surprise fleeting across his face before it settled into indifference.
“I believe I made it clear that you’re not to visit my company!”
Grace shot back, “If I hadn’t shown up, how long would you
ave kept this a secret?” Antonio’s eyes were downcast, and he didn’t say a word.
Kendra, with a look that could melt hearts, added, “Grace, please don’t be angry with Antonio. It’s all my fault.”
Grace, in an oddly calm voice, asked, “Is the baby she’s expecting yours?”
Antonio’s silence spoke volumes.
For Grace, his silence was as good as a confession. She’d assumed his distance over the past six years was due to his demanding job.
She never thought that he would have a baby with another
woman.
With a chill in her voice, Grace said, “Congratulations. I’ll gladly step aside and let Ms. Jermyn take my place.”
Antonio and Kendra both looked taken aback.
But Grace just turned and walked away, not even glancing back.
As soon as Grace got back to the Kaufman’s place, Antonio wasn’t far behind. His face was as cold as ever, and he whispered a warning beside her, “Grandpa’s still getting
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better. Watch what you say.”
Grace felt disgusted and chose to ignore him.
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Omar came running over, and when he saw just the two of them, he pouted.
“Dad, isn’t Kendra part of our family too? Why can’t she come
our family meal?” The more Omar grew, the more he
looked like Antonio, even down to the way he could make her. feel awkward. But Grace only paused briefly before walking in with a poker face.
Russell’s face soured and he hit the floor with his crutch.
“Omar, say sorry to your mom! We’re done talking about that woman in this house!” Omar stuck out his lower lip, not about to budge.
Exasperated, he yelled at Grace, “I don’t want her to be my mom!” Then he stormed off to his room, skipping dinner.
Grace was taken aback, but then she composed herself and said, “We’ll have someone bring his food up later. Let’s eat without him.” Antonio shot her a look, as if blaming her for being heartless toward her own kid.
She knew, though, that Omar wouldn’t welcome her concern. The meal was a quick, uncomfortable affair.
That afternoon, when Grace got to the hospital, she found a crowd of nurses fluttering around Kendra.
“Congratulations, Dr. Jermyn, with a handsome husband and a cute son, and now you’re expecting your second child!” At the words, Grace paused in her tracks.
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As she was about to walk away, Kendra called out, “Grace, I can’t handle this morning sickness. What can I do?” Her words made the colleagues realize something was off.
Kendra, a doctor herself, should know what to do. But they
didn’t dwell on it and made their exit.
It was just the two of them now.
Kendra pulled out her phone and approached Grace with a grin.
“If it were me, I would have left with dignity by now. Antonio cooks for me every day,” she said, showing off her phone to Grace.
The man who was against killing cooked for Kendra, again and again. Seeing the smug look on Kendra’s face, Grace felt a stab of sorrow. “Antonio would’ve shown you the respect you deserve if he really loved you. You wouldn’t have had to play dirty to get where you are.”
Kendra’s face twisted at the words. “Stop it! Antonio never loved you, and you’re not in a position to judge me!”
Grace kept her cool, her inner world utterly undisturbed.
She’d always known that Antonio’s heart wasn’t hers. But` now, she was past needing it. Without another word, Grace walked away.
Alone in her office, she couldn’t keep the emotions at bay.
All that played in her head were images of Antonio in an apron, cooking dishes in the pan, and spooning food into Kendra’s mouth.
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She realized that no matter how much she valued Russell’s opinion, her marriage was a lost cause. After a moment of contemplation, Grace pulled out her phone and texted Antonio: “Let’s talk.”
Her text disappeared into the void. Nearby, a couple of doctors were gossiping.
Have you heard? The new director’s spot has been taken,” one said. “Who got it?” the other asked.
Grace’s heart skipped a beat, and she found herself glancing
over.
That doctor whispered, “It’s that newcomer, Dr. Jermyn!” Grace’s breath caught, her fingers clenching her phone.
If she wasn’t going to get the director’s job, there was no way it would go to Kendra, a newcomer who was still getting the hang of things! Grace suddenly stood up and called out to the two doctors who were passing by, “Who is the new director?”
They got along with Grace, so they felt a pang of sympathy. “Dr. Parrish, you’re young. There will be other chances. After all, no one can compete with Kendra.”
“That’s right. The guy who was here last time is the top shareholder of our hospital. He’s from the Parrish family!” A wave of desolation washed over Grace.
She entrusted her assets to Antonio for safekeeping, but he ended up using them to unconditionally support Kendra! Not far away, Kendra was the center of attention, preening with pride.
“Dr. Jermyn, you are really living the dream!”
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“Let’s call her director from now on!”
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Kendra flashed a smug smile at Grace, casually placing her hand on her barely–there baby bump, still concealed beneath her clothes. Gathering herself, Grace retreated to her office to call Antonio.
LAR After a bit, Antonio picked up. “What’s up?”
Grace didn’t beat around the bush. “Why are you using the Parrish family’s influence to help Kendra?”
Antonio paused and then replied nonchalantly, “You’re my wife in name only. Does it really matter if you’re the director or not?” Anger flared in Grace.
Antonio’s dismissive words turned all her hard work into a joke. Without another word, she ended the call and set about retrieving her pre–nuptial property.
As the evening approached, Grace headed back to the Kaufman’s place.
She found Omar drawing at the table. He bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun, a picture of tranquility. She paused and then walked over.
She was taken aback when she saw the drawing.
Omar had sketched a family portrait, but the woman’s name was Kendra!
A cold shiver ran through Grace, and she couldn’t resist asking, “Why do you like Kendra so much? You used to love me the most.” Omar held onto his drawing, meeting Grace’s gaze with a challenge.
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“I didn’t know you were like this before! Everyone says you tricked Dad into having a baby with you and that’s why I exist!”
