come back home

Grace glanced at the man driving beside her. Only then did she realize—she didn’t even know his name yet. Gathering courage, she asked softly,

“You never told me your name.”

Ethan’s hands tightened slightly on the steering wheel. He couldn’t reveal his true identity to her. Keeping his eyes on the road, he replied casually,

“Noha Willson.”

Grace smiled faintly and nodded. “I see… I haven’t properly introduced myself either. My name is Grace.”

Of course, Ethan already knew everything about her, but he only responded with a slight nod, saying nothing more. Soon, the car stopped at the address Grace had given him.

She stepped out and looked at him gratefully.

“Thank you for the lift. Actually, I want to thank you properly. Can you tell me when you’ll be free? I’d like to treat you to a coffee for saving me and giving me a ride.”

Ethan’s lips curved in the faintest smile. “I’ll be free tomorrow evening.”

“Perfect,” Grace said brightly. “Then tomorrow after office, coffee is on me.”

Waving goodbye, she entered her apartment. Ethan stayed for a moment, watching her disappear inside, before finally driving away.

Meanwhile, in the Wells’ residence, Emily was waiting in the living room when Albert returned home. The moment she saw him, she rushed over with a worried expression.

“Brother, did Grace call you? i saw her in office today. she is also working in Marino enterprises. I tried to talk to her , I begged her to come home, but she refused.”

Albert’s gaze darkened. A bitter thought flickered through his mind:' She claimed she broke up with Lucas and didn’t want anything to do with him. And now she joins the Marino company? She must be doing this for attention.'

With a cold tone, he said indifferently, “It’s her choice. Let her stay outside. She’ll come back when she’s tired and needs money.”

Emily lowered her eyes, pretending to be anxious. “But… what if she gets into trouble? Grace isn’t used to living like this. What if she chooses the wrong way to survive? Today, I even saw her get out of a luxury car. I’m really worried…”

Albert froze mid-step, his brows furrowing. “What did you say?”

Emily bit her lip nervously. “I-I didn’t mean anything wrong, Brother. I’m just afraid… what if a rich man takes advantage of her vulnerable state? Grace is very innocent. What if she doesn’t realize until it’s too late?”

Albert’s fists clenched, veins throbbing on his hand. He gritted his teeth and said coldly, “She’s not a child anymore. She knows what’s right and what’s wrong. It’s her choice.”

He brushed past Emily and went upstairs. Alone in the living room, Emily smirked " Dear sister, soon everyone will hate you. You won’t have a chance to come back into this house."

In his room, Albert tore off his tie and jacket, frustration burning inside him. Emily’s words wouldn’t leave his head. Finally, unable to control himself, he grabbed his phone and dialed Grace’s number.

The first two times, she ignored the call. On the third, she finally picked up.

“Where the hell are you, Grace?” His voice was harsh and cold.

Grace had never expected warmth from him, so she replied calmly, “I already told you—I don’t want any relationship with your family. Where I am and what I do should not concern you.”

“It is my business!” Albert snapped. “Your name is still tied to the Wells family. If you do anything shameful, it will affect our reputation. If you need money, you can come to me directly. Why are you associating with rich men?!”

Grace was stunned, then her heart sank. “What nonsense are you talking about?”

“Emily saw you getting out of a luxury car,” Albert said icily. “You just broke up with Lucas, and now you’re with another wealthy man. Don’t tell me you fell in love in just two days.”

A hollow laugh escaped Grace. Her chest tightened in pain. Of all the people in the Wells family, Albert was the one she trusted most. She had spent ten years by his side. Yet even he thought she was nothing more than a girl chasing money.

Her voice turned cold. “If you think I’m a gold digger, then that’s your opinion. I can’t change it. But I’m not doing anything wrong. You’ve known me for ten years, Albert, yet you still don’t understand me.”

Albert’s anger faltered, regret flashing across his face. Deep down, he knew Grace wasn’t that kind of girl, but his fury had clouded his judgment. For reasons he couldn’t admit, the thought of her with another man made him lose control.

He took a breath and said more evenly, “Forget this. Mom and Dad are still away, and they don’t know anything. I won’t tell them. Just come home. We’ll pretend you never left home.”

Grace let out a bitter laugh. “So that’s it. You’re not worried about me—you’re only worried I’ll ruin the Wells family’s reputation. Don’t worry, Albert. I’ll never bring shame to your precious family. Because from now on, I have nothing to do with the Wells family.”

Without waiting for his reply, she hung up.

Albert hurled his phone against the wall, his chest heaving with unexplainable anger.