Chapter 3 How Did You Become Mrs. Hawkins

"When did you get to know her?"

Under the dim lights, Benjamin finally saw Grace supporting herself with crutches. It wasn't until then that he realized she was much thinner than when they'd married three years ago.

She looked as if a gust of wind could easily blow her away.

"You followed me?" Benjamin's face fell at once.

"Do you think I have nothing better to do? I was at the same hospital and saw you with my own eyes." Though her voice was soft, she enunciated her words clearly.

Benjamin looked angry despite Grace was overwhelmed by sadness. How could he?

He still hadn't expressed any concern for her, even though she had been in a plane crash. What felt even worse was how evident the irritation and disdain in his voice were.

Clearly, their three years of marriage had been futile.

All this while, she had been attending to her demanding mother-in-law and taking care of her sister-in-law, who didn't like her.

In the family, she was treated like nothing but a servant, and in the company, she did her utmost to excel in her role as the secretary.

She had been giving her all to fulfill Elizabeth's wish for her to conceive Benjamin's children. She had hoped that he would finally see the good in her.

Even the slightest bit of affection from him would have been enough to make up for her tireless efforts over the past three years.

However, Benjamin had barely touched her throughout their marriage.

Although they shared the same room, they didn't sleep in the same bed.

Suppressing the pain all over her body, Grace looked into his frosty eyes and let out a laugh.

"Your mom said that I'm barren, and now you've gotten your mistress pregnant instead. Don't you care about my dignity at all?"

She lifted her chin and stretched out her right hand to touch him.

But he stopped her in a second.

"Yvonne isn't a mistress. I've known her for more than 20 years."

So they had known each other since they were kids. Grace could feel Benjamin's grip tightening on her.

"She had been abroad for five years, and I didn't have any contact with her during that time."

Grace was surprised to hear that. No wonder she hadn't been able to find any information about them.

Remembering that the woman was pregnant, she looked up at Benjamin. "So you've gotten back with her now?"

Benjamin's Adam's apple bobbed slightly. He thought of explaining but stopped on second thought.

His gaze darkened. "Have you forgotten how you ended up as Mrs. Hawkins?"

Well, even if he hadn't brought it up, Grace would never forget it.

Hawkins Group had a lot of branches, and many people coveted the position as its heir. Hence, Elizabeth had wanted to find a woman from Pamore for Benjamin. She had wanted him to get married and have a future heir to ensure stability for the company.

As Elizabeth's life savior, Grace had volunteered herself for that role.

She had come to Benjamin on her own and made it clear that she wouldn't interfere with his life.

Not only that, but she had also agreed to hide their marriage and shut down her thriving boutique store. She had agreed to become his secretary at Hawkins Group and help handle its affairs.

Now, Benjamin was telling her that she had overstepped her boundaries.

Grace chuckled. "Well, I didn't forget. But humans are greedy, aren't they?"

Her face was as white as a sheet. If she hadn't had a smile on her face, she would have looked like a ghost who had escaped hell.

As he looked at her now, Benjamin felt like she had changed. But he couldn't tell how..

All of a sudden, Grace effortlessly withdrew her hand from his grip.

A pleasant fragrance gradually permeated the spacious room, getting stronger by the second. The windows were closed, and the temperature was rising.

Benjamin spared a glance at the thermostat and saw that it was 30 degrees Celsius.

His expression darkened, especially when Grace moved her hands to his clothes.

He couldn't seem to push her away.

As his breathing turned ragged, he asked angrily, "What did you do?"