Chapter 90
The next morning, the tension was thick between them. But not the kind Grace wanted. If will had been cold before, he was glacial now. There was ice in his eyes when he looked at her, and she should freeze whenever he looked at her. She had expected anger, but this was worse. Anger was an emotion. That would have been better than the chilly nothingness he looked at her with.
“Um…” Grace squeaked. “I’m sorry about last night.” Will stared at her. “I was just so desperate to reawaken what we had.” He continued to stare at her. “Please say something.”
“Did you mean any of it?” his voice was frost.
“Any of what?” Grace played dumb.
“I don’t have time for games. Did you mean any of the words you said last night? You know, before you drugged me.”
“Will please… you have to know how sorry I am about that. It was stupid and I…”
“How am I supposed to trust you again after that? If you’re capable of that, what else are you capable of?” Will asked.
“I really am sorry. I’ll earn your trust back. You’ll see.”
“I guess we will see.” He left to go to work. Being alone always meant that he thought of Emma. And he was finally able to fully admit that he missed her. He wanted her back and had spent many resources to find her at first. It was like she had disappeared off of the face of the earth. Even Sabrina didn’t know where she was. Or so she said.
All he wanted was to find Emma, and apologize, and see if she was willing to try again. But now that he had married Grace, that option was off the table. He was sure she’d know by now. The news must have rocked her. But who knew? Maybe she was off somewhere living her life. Perhaps she had moved on and had forgotten all about him. Part of him hoped she had, but another part selfishly wanted her to still want him.
“Bad timing as always,” he said to himself. “Don’t value them until they leave you. Classic Will.”
On top of his ruined love life, was the fact that his uncle was trying to steal his company. Getting married would appease the board for a while. But they’d eventually want him to have a child of his own.
“Stupid old-fashioned, ancient-minded geezers,” Will cursed them. Having a family shouldn’t have any bearing on his ability to run the company, But, for some reason it did. He would have to prove that he was the best option for the future of Stewart Industries.
Back at home, Grace was worried. She may have ruined her chances. Having a child was crucial to seal her position as Mrs. Stewart, and to seal Will’s position as CEO. But if Will wasn’t going to touch her, there was no way she was going to get pregnant. And after last night, Will probably wanted nothing to do with her. She realized that she would have to change her approach and work Will from a different angle.
A light bulb turned on in her mind. A memory of an overheard conversation came back to her. Emma may have been pregnant, and it was about 99 percent Will’s baby. The wheels in her brain started turning in ways that would frighten anyone else. If Emma was pregnant with Will’s baby, she could use that baby. They would be able to give that child a better life than Emma ever could.
“All that bitch wants is money anyway,” Grace tried to convince herself. “I bet I could buy her baby and then Will won’t ever leave me.” All that was left was finding Emma before anyone else could. And if Will found out that Emma kept her pregnancy a secret from him, he may be angry enough to hate her.
Grace started researching for a private investigator. She found one that came highly recommended.
“Hello, thank you calling Busy Bird Consultations. This is Ren speaking, how can I help you?” a bored woman’s voice answered.
“Hello. I need a private investigator.”
“What for?”
“I need to find my husband’s ex-wife.”
“I’m at your service.”
Later that day, after the private investigator had been hired, Grace began the next phase of her plan. She went to his office with cupcakes and muffins for the staff.
“Hello everyone,” she greeted sweetly. “I’ve brought some goodies for you.”
The staff made a commotion around her, excited to meet her and get free snacks. Will went to see that the fuss was about.
“What are you doing here?” Will tried to sound like he thought her presence was a sweet surprise, and not the last thing he wanted.
“I wanted to bring you and the staff some treats. You all work so hard, so you deserve a little something yummy.”
The staff gushed over her.
“She’s so pretty, and sweet.”
“How nice of her.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Stewart.”
“What’s going on out here?” Will’s uncle Robert walked into the office. The staff scattered. No one liked him.
“Cupcake?” Grace offered him, knowing exactly who he was. His face warped into a disgusted expression. “Oh, hello Uncle Robert.”
“Who are you?”
“I’m Will’s wife,” she simpered.
“Oh,” his expression changed instantly. “Good to see you again.”
“It’s my pleasure.”
Will realized what she was doing. He was still mad at her, but he was grateful for this interaction between her and his uncle. Grace’s visits to the office became a regular thing. Over the next few weeks, the staff grew to like her and were enthusiastic for her visits. She was charming, kind, and polite. He was happy to see this change in her. It made living with her easier. She had recovered from her miserable marriage with Denis, and some of the old Grace had begun to shine through.
She seemed ready to move into the next chapter of her life but was trapped in this arranged marriage. It was unfair for both of them. He thought they should have a conversation about that soon. The more time that passed, he knew that he would never love her. Because it had become abundantly clear to him. He loved Emma Wells.
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