Chapter 124 For Juniper, It's Worth It!
Grace knew exactly what Henry wanted to talk about when he called her at this hour.
She didn't want Clara to know, so she stepped outside to take the call.
At the end of the hallway, the closed window couldn't keep out the night's chill, and the wind stung her face.
But Henry's words were colder.
His voice was calm. "You must have guessed the Cavendish family's next move. Grace, only I can help you now. Juniper will be safe if she becomes part of the Montague family; Mr. Vincent Cavendish wouldn't dare touch her then."
Grace's voice was numb. "Can I beg you?"
Henry paused, his voice even lower. "I told you, I'm not doing charity. Grace, you know if it weren't for you, I wouldn't care about Juniper and Frank."
Grace knew. After years of marriage, she knew Henry's character well.
She swallowed her bitterness and spoke softly. "You told me tonight that when I lose more, I'll understand the importance of power, and without being Mrs. Montague, I'm nothing."
Henry didn't respond. He guessed her choice but thought she hadn't said it out loud because of her reluctance. After experiencing warmth from another man, Grace had feelings for Lucas. How could she want to go back to being Mrs. Montague? But Juniper was enough to make her compromise.
Henry didn't feel victorious; it bothered him that Grace was into someone else.
He even wondered if they hid in hospital corners, kissing and touching each other. Sometimes, intimacy is the best stress relief.
Both remained silent.
Just then, Clara ran out in a panic, shouting, "Grace, something happened to Juniper!"
Grace dropped the call and ran back to the ward, stunned by what she saw.
The door had been pried open, Juniper's oxygen disconnected, and a pillow was messily placed beside her face. Someone had tried to smother her.
Juniper had almost died!
The medical staff quickly reconnected the oxygen and checked her vitals. Luckily, they found her in time, and she wasn't in serious danger.
Grace was still in shock.
She knelt by the bed, trembling, whispering, "You scared me to death!"
Juniper lay there quietly.
Clara was remorseful, blaming herself. "It's my fault! I went to the bathroom, and it happened. If I hadn't stayed so long, this wouldn't have happened!"
Grace murmured, "Clara, it's not your fault. If they want to, they'll always find a way."
Clara felt sorry for Juniper. "Why not part amicably? How can they treat a poor girl like this?"
Grace didn't respond.
She stared at Juniper, afraid to blink, fearing she might suddenly leave.
The long night finally passed, and the sky began to lighten.
Grace stood by the window, the glass misty, making the outside view hazy. Even so, she saw Lucas.
Lucas, wearing a white coat, hurriedly walked by.
When Lucas reached the bottom of the building, he seemed to sense Grace's gaze. He looked up, and their eyes met. Though it was blurry, Grace could vaguely see his warm smile.
Suddenly, she remembered Henry's words.
Henry had said that if she stayed with Lucas, Lucas would live in pain, regretting choosing medicine over power.
Grace didn't want that. She didn't want Lucas to change his life for her.
Existing for the sake of love and others drains one's vitality; she had tasted that bitterness and didn't want Lucas to experience it. True love should embody reciprocal generosity, not unilateral extraction.
She had nothing to give Lucas. She would only be a burden, just as Henry had said, making Lucas regret his past choices.
About five minutes later, the ward door gently opened.
Grace didn't turn around; she kept looking outside. She didn't give Lucas a chance to buffer, nor did she give herself a chance to regret. She softly spoke her decision.
"The Cavendish family won't let Juniper go. Only Henry can save her now. Lucas, I might have to go back to Henry. I'm sorry."
Lucas stood by the door, looking at her back, and asked softly, "Is it really worth giving up your hard-earned freedom, Grace?"
Grace understood Lucas.
He didn't want to possess her; he cherished her. He didn't want her to live in an unhappy marriage.
She slightly raised her head, her voice choked. "For Juniper, it's worth it. Lucas, I'm sorry."
This was the first time she had apologized to Lucas, who had liked her for so long.
Maybe that warm hug made her feel attached, made her think she could always stay that warm. But reality was cold; between happiness and Juniper, she chose Juniper.
Lucas didn't say anything more. He just came to her side and gently held her.
He softly said okay and told Grace to take care of herself.
Before noon, Grace changed into formal clothes and put on light makeup.
She asked Clara to come over and take care of Juniper.
Clara was sensitive. She vaguely guessed something but didn't dare to ask, feeling heartbroken.
Grace, however, smiled calmly. When she went downstairs, a luxurious black car was already waiting. Henry's driver greeted her respectfully and opened the car door.
Grace got into the car.
The interior was dim, and the sunlight outside cast dappled shadows on her face, making her expression unclear.
A quarter of an hour later, Grace arrived at the Azure Palace Hotel.
The doorman stopped her. "Ms. Windsor, please don't make it difficult for me."
Henry's driver followed her out of the car and scolded him. "This is Mrs. Montague! Even Mr. Vincent Cavendish has to show some respect. How dare you stop her!"
The doorman was shocked. 'Has she reconciled with Henry?' He didn't dare to neglect her and quickly invited Grace inside.
Grace walked through the revolving door, into the luxurious hotel lobby, familiar with the banquet ahead, while behind her was the bright sunshine, the brief freedom she once had.
Suddenly, she felt something and turned around to see Lucas.
Lucas's car was parked not far away, and he stood in front of it, silently watching her. It turned out he liked her more than she thought, that he cared about her, that he had followed her all the way here.
Grace's eyes grew hot, and her eyes reddened. She mouthed to him, "Go back! You go back."
Lucas gave her a very warm smile.
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