GRACEHayden was a few steps away in a black suit, speaking to one of the board members. He kept glancing over at me like he was keeping track of where I was.“Grace, Hayden, come here.” My mother called out.I turned. She was walking toward us with her hand on the arm of a man I had hoped never to see.Eric.My stomach twisted hard.Mom smiled like she was delivering good news. “I want you both to meet Eric properly. Eric, these are my children. Hayden is my stepson, and this is Grace. You two already know each other, of course.”Eric’s eyes landed on me first, filled with shock, then he looked at Hayden and sneered.My stomach ached. I knew that look all too well. It wasn’t anything good.Mom kept talking, bright and oblivious. “Eric and Grace have been dating since they were in high school. Right, you haven’t mentioned him in a while, darling.”Heat rushed to my face. Hayden’s shoulders went rigid. I felt like rolling my eyes at her words. How could I mention someone I was no longe
Last Updated : 2026-08-16 Read more