I've Been There Before (Grace and Caden)

He left in the early morning. Although Grace was at a blessed age which should be full of hope and dreams, she lived like an old lady who was in her late years. The sun was shining bright in the winter days; therefore she pulled over a chair, a woolen blanket and some hot water bags to warm her limbs and sunbathed under the roof. She had lived a lackluster life.

A new butler came to the house. The butler had a stern expression just like Sam and she could hear Sam guiding the new butler on the tasks in the morning. Both of them had been in the butler career for half of their life and their ways of doing things were impeccable. Yet competition existed between them under their calm appearances.

Grace overheard episodes of conversations between them. Their words were few but did not sound easy. She only stared at the front. As to whether the old butler’s duty was successfully passed on to the new one, she did not care. And she had no idea how their interactions would be.

Rustling voices were heard from behind. She caught a glimpse of the shadow of an acquaintance and stood up while supporting herself with the chair. She spoke blandly. “Mr. Venus, please come with me.” Her coarse yet calm voice successfully made Sam halted and turned. Hesitancy flashed across his eyes, followed by a trace of hatred. He then followed the woman who was starting off slowly.

She walked towards a secluded area and stopped at the corner. Sam soon caught up with the limping woman. The rhythm of his footsteps were irregular, maybe it was because his mind was filled with hatred, or maybe he was curious what she wanted to say to him who was her debtee. Nevertheless he had followed her without uttering a word and he stopped at the corner when she had done so. “What do you want?” He glanced at her with a suspicious look, all hostile and alert.

Grace chuckled when she saw that. Was there any need to be afraid that a lame person like her would harm him? She felt a sense of extremely ironic absurdity. “What are you laughing at?” Her chuckle not knowing why, had provoked Sam and he went exasperated. “You thought you’ve won? You thought you’ve taken away Wallis’s place? So that’s why you’re laughing so cheerfully in front of me? Grace James, you’re just Wallis’s substitute!”

at the woman’s

are talking about.” Grace shook her head lightly when facing the

a little from his words, yet she quickly returned to her usual aloofness at

She decided to give up arguing with him as it was pointless. How would time make an exception for her and reverse itself if she wins the argument? She pursed her lips and her palm extended to the old butler. “You don’t want me

the new butler has successfully managed every single duty in the Shaw Manor and has gotten the hang of it, there’s no more chance for you to execute

I don’t believe that! How would there be any woman who refuses to give birth to the child of the Shaw family in this world?” At least, he knew Wallis would not refuse that. Since Wallis would never refuse, how could this woman refuse? Was it because she was nobler, more virtuous than Wallis? Even Wallis could never reject the offer, how could this slut reject? Grace chuckled once more and no longer spoke. She turned

in Sam’s grayish yellow eyes flickered and he blurted out. “Wait!” He caught up with her with two steps and handed a small packet with oil paper wrapping on his palm towards her. “I don’t believe you!” He spoke angrily when he gave her. Yet Grace said no more and she opened the wrapping. A bean-sized white pill was seen. She shoved it into her mouth without even drinking water and let the pill dissolved and the bitterness spread in her mouth. No matter how bitter it was, it was incomparable towards the bitterness she felt.

to her as she did not care about fame, wealth and high status. Yet his shame turned to rage when he noticed the thought. “Yeah! Sure! I’ll definitely prepare more for you!” He swore secretly

to the corridor. “Where have you been? Madam.” He put the coat which was hung over his wrist on Grace while saying, “Mister cares for you and he specially asks me to make sure you’re warmed.” Grace smiled yet she seemed lacking energy.”