Chapter 1538
Grace returned home feeling sweaty and her thighs slightly sore. Even though it wasn't an official game, handling two boys on her own had been quite a challenge. Teddy was manageable, but Frank, who was nearly 5-feet-6, made it tough for her to get into the shooting zone. She had to use her body to push through. Frank's defense was solid at first, but he suddenly lost steam, collapsing completely. After all, he was still a kid, much like Kevin—strong initial burst but lacking endurance.
She walked into the bathroom, stripped off her workout clothes and underwear, and began to wash herself. Her hands roamed over her breasts and down below. The desires of a middle-aged woman were strong, and even physical exertion couldn't fully quell her inner urges.
"Too bad Kevin couldn't come over today," Grace thought with a hint of frustration, her fingers teasing her nipples, sending tingles down her body. Soon, her vagina started to itch. She reached down, her slender fingers playing with her thick labia, biting her lip and softly moaning. Her firm, rounded thighs rubbed against each other as she once again succumbed to her desires.
Suddenly, the bathroom door made a soft noise. Grace was startled and quickly stopped what she was doing, calling out to see who it was. There was no response from outside, and she lost interest. She hurriedly dried off, put on a nightgown, and stepped out of the bathroom. Seeing no one in the living room, she walked to Andy's bedroom door and pushed it open. Her son Andy was at his desk doing homework. She frowned and asked, "Andy, when did you get back?"
"I've been home for a while," Andy replied without looking up. "Why?"
"Oh, nothing. Just keep doing your homework," Grace said as she left Andy's room, pondering if it had been Andy at the bathroom door. She had assumed no one was home when she arrived, so she hadn't locked the bathroom door. But since their talk, Andy hadn't shown any signs of such behavior again. Maybe it was just the wind.
Grace didn't have deep feelings for Byron, but she was quite attentive to Andy. No matter what, Andy was her child, and the bond between mother and son was incomparable. Every little bit of progress Andy made thrilled her, and she didn't hesitate to criticize him harshly if he made mistakes.
In this household, Grace held the highest authority. Whether it was her son, her husband, or even Chad, they all obeyed her unconditionally. But she didn't enjoy this feeling. She longed for a man she could rely on, someone she could be vulnerable with. Kevin could satisfy her sexually, but he was still a kid and couldn't provide the sense of security she craved from a man.
Just then, the front door opened, and Byron walked in. Grace quickly went to greet him, taking out his slippers and saying softly, "Byron, it's getting cold. Don't stay out so late. Come home earlier."
"It's fine. The longer I stay, the more money I make. There's nothing to do at home anyway," Byron replied with a simple smile, pulling out a wad of cash from his pocket and handing it to his wife. "Here's today's earnings. You keep it. Oh, and I'll transfer the money I received on my phone to you. Didn't you say you needed money for the business with Bethany?"
"Keep some for yourself. The business does need money, but this isn't enough to make a difference. It wouldn't even cover the bank interest," Grace said with a smile. "Byron, once the clothing business takes off, you should close your shop. It's exhausting and doesn't bring in much. You'd be better off managing the household and cooking for Andy."
Though Grace spoke in a lighthearted tone, Byron felt a pang of helplessness. He didn't want to be a dispensable figure. He thought of Chase's order and resolved to keep the shop running and expand it, to make it big and successful, so Grace would see him differently.
"By the way, I wanted to discuss something with you," Grace said, not noticing Byron's slump in spirits. She sat on the couch, crossing her long legs and gently swinging one. "I want Kevin to stay over during winter break to help Andy with his studies. What do you think?"
"Sure, whatever you decide," Byron nodded. He knew that Grace's "discussions" were more like notifications. His objections wouldn't matter. He didn't mind Kevin staying over as long as it wasn't Chase. "But where will he sleep?"
Grace's house was an older style near Maple Grove High, less than 750 square feet, with two bedrooms, a living room, and a bathroom. Andy's room was small, just big enough for a single bed, a desk, and a wardrobe. Even Chad wouldn't have a place to stay.
"That's easy. Kevin can sleep in Andy's room, and Andy can squeeze in with us," Grace said casually. "If that doesn't work, there's always the couch."
"Three people in one bed is too cramped," Byron hesitated. "How long do you want Kevin to stay? If it's too long, I can sleep at the shop."
"No way. The shop doesn't have heating. It's fine in the summer, but you'll freeze in the winter," Grace shook her head.
"It's okay. I'll use a coal stove and pile on the blankets. We managed without heating before," Byron chuckled.
"Coal stoves are dangerous. What if you get carbon monoxide poisoning?" Grace mused. "I want Kevin to stay for about a week or ten days. You can stay with Chad. He'll be lonely during the New Year otherwise."
"Alright, I can spend some time with him. I don't get to see him much anyway," Byron agreed. "But can you handle taking care of two kids on your own?"
"Oh, come on. Andy and Kevin aren't toddlers. I'll just cook and tidy up. It's not a big deal. Don't worry about it," Grace said impatiently, heading to the bedroom. Her long, toned legs moved with power, and her firm, curvy hips swayed under her nightgown, creating an enticing sight.
Watching Grace's tall, alluring figure, Byron wanted to say something but swallowed his words. Tom's advice echoed in his mind. He had planned to have a serious talk with Grace before coming home. After all, he was the man of the house. But facing Grace, his courage vanished. The conversation was always under her control, and he couldn't get a word in. He wasn't a strong-willed man, and Grace's striking looks always made him feel deeply insecure.
Forget it. Why make things difficult for himself? Byron sighed and stepped into the bathroom. The air still carried the scent of Grace's body wash. He took a shower, cleaned up the hair on the floor, and returned to the bedroom. Grace was lying on the bed, playing with her phone, occasionally smiling. Byron wondered if she was chatting with Chase and couldn't help but ask, "Grace, have you been home all day?"
"Of course. Where else would I be?" Grace replied without looking up. "I had to wash Andy's clothes, buy groceries, and oh, the fridge has been making this loud, annoying noise. We should just replace it."
"I think it's still working fine," Byron said, feeling a bit frugal. A new fridge would cost at least a few hundred dollars. But he eventually added, "If you want to replace it, go ahead."
"Never mind. We'll make do. I'll call a repairman tomorrow. There are so many expenses. Andy's tuition, his tutoring classes, utility bills, living expenses, and your dad's medical bills. We need to save where we can," Grace said.
"Alright, if you say so," Byron agreed.
"Andy needs help with his literature. I want to get him a tutor. We can't let him fall behind. Do you think it's better to send him to a tutoring center or have a tutor come to the house?" Grace asked.
"Either way is fine. You decide," Byron replied timidly.
"Byron, can you make a decision for once? You just nod along without any opinion," Grace snapped. "I'm asking for your input, not making a unilateral decision."
"I don't know much about these things. You decide," Byron said with a smile. "You handle everything in the house anyway."
"Why do I even bother asking you? It's pointless," Grace said irritably. She despised Byron's indecision and wished he had more spine. If he ever dared to argue with her, she might respect him more. Sometimes, couples need to argue to communicate. But in Byron's house, there were no arguments, only Grace's one-sided pressure.
Byron listened to Grace's complaints with a smile, not getting angry. He wasn't afraid of her attitude, only the day she might ignore him completely. That would be truly frightening. He understood Grace's personality. She was straightforward and said whatever was on her mind. Once she said it, she forgot about it, and life went on. Such women were easy to get along with. The real danger was those who smiled on the surface but schemed behind your back.
"Grace, are you tired? Let me give you a massage," Byron offered, seeing Grace still engrossed in her phone. He didn’t know what else to talk about. Middle-aged couples often found themselves with less and less to say.
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