chapter 10

Grace's POV

My fist was clenched beside me I stared at Elvis.

I was angry at him

Angry at myself too

How in the fuck of heel did I Grace Ashborne

Daughter of Frank Ashbourne

Lose control after seeing him

I felt a sense of longing

Like there was this invincible thread was between us tugging me closer to him

The need to be close to him was so intense

but — they was this fear

I felt like running away

And never looking back

And that bitch......

From the moment i saw her from the stage i knew she was troubled

But that wasn't all…..

They was this fear

Hatred

Anger

Just thinking of her made me boil

I stared at Elvis

Trying my best to control my emotions

His head was lower in shame

"I told you didn't I" my voice came out harsher than i intended

"I'm sorry ma'am"

"Do you have any idea what the headline gonna say tomorrow"he doesn't answer just shoke his head

"Grace ashborne humiliated at her own cooking show before it even started"

"I'm very sorry ma"

“I don't know how elvis but fix this understand”

“Yes ma”

"I........"

"Must you yell at him" the voice of my seven year old son Bryan cut me off

I pressed my lips together

Calming myself before turning around

"Poor Elvis I'm so glad i dont work for you mum" his sister Brianna and Bella said

"You three cheeky babies"

"You big mamasaurex"

I gestured for Elvis to leave and he bolt out quickly like his b**t was set on fire

"Everyone is so scared of you mama" my fourth son Brandon

"No they're not"

We sat down on the couch

"Frank said so" Brianna said

"Oh really what did he say"i asked and they all replied at once

"Your mum looks like Elphaba when she's angry” they said together

"Really" they nodded "then i guess.......i better eat you all up” they scattered running in different directions

I smiled chasing them all around the house.

____

“Mum” Brianna called out after i had put them all to sleep

“Yes my love”

“Can we stay here forever”

“I'll think about that ok”

“Thanks mama” her eyes closed and she drifted apart

Her question had dropped a huge weight on my chest.

A huge part of me wanted to stay

But i also felt like running

But—I'm Grace Ashbourne and whatsoever happens I never flee I always fight

But—am i Grace Ashbourne or am I…….

________

Sunlight spilled across my face as I slowly opened my eyes.

My body ached.

Something heavy rested against my waist.

Confused, I turned—

And froze.

Damian.

He looked… peaceful.

Almost harmless.

My breath caught.

Then his eyes fluttered open.

And everything changed.

The calm disappeared, replaced instantly by something cold.

Dangerous.

Before I could react, he pinned me to the bed.

His hand wrapped tightly around my throat.

—---

I woke up my breathing was ragged

What the hell was that?

Why was I dreaming of Damian?

Why was I in bed with Damian?

And why was he trying to kill me?