Grace didn't remember how she got home. At the hospital, the doctor had told her that her mother, Alice, was beyond hope.
"The only chance is a surgery in Switzerland that costs an astronomical amount of money," he said. "It's unlikely you'll raise that kind of capital in a month... I've prescribed some injections for your mother that might at least stabilize her for a short time."
Those words sounded like a death sentence. Returning to the apartment, Grace saw her mother sleeping peacefully. Tears filled the girl's eyes. Looking at her mother's pale face, Grace vowed to fight for her life until the very end.
Alice suddenly stirred and opened her eyes. Seeing her daughter, she smiled brightly and reached out a thin hand.
"Grace, honey, you're late today—I waited so long I fell asleep! I want to tell you something very important... you need to get married. I want to pass away in peace, knowing that you are finally settled and happy."
Grace knelt down and rested her head on her mother's lap.
"How are you feeling today, Mom?" she whispered.
"It was quite bad this morning, Grace. Promise me that you'll find someone soon."
"Okay, Mom, I'll try," Grace whispered wearily, hardly processing what she was saying.
Alice stroked her daughter's hair, and for a moment, Grace felt as safe as she had in childhood.
"That's my girl! You're beautiful, smart, and kind. Everything is going to work out for you, sweetheart."
Grace closed her eyes and smiled. Her mind was already occupied by another problem that had crashed down on her. Her boss, Mr. Collins, had been crudely flirting with her, and when she rejected him, he flew into a rage. Knowing his vindictive nature, Grace had no doubt he would fire her. She went to work every day as if it were her last. However, to her surprise, he seemed to have forgotten about his failed advances. Regardless, Grace had neither the time nor the energy to think about it.
All week she prepared her mother for the difficult journey: organizing documents and calling doctors. Right now, the only thing that mattered was getting her mother treatment.
Alice flew out in high spirits, though her eyes betrayed a deep sadness. She hoped to beat the illness and return home, but she realized she might be seeing her daughter for the last time. The thought terrified her.
***
After her mother left, Grace threw herself into her work. She worked tirelessly. To make the down payment for the surgery, she had taken out a bank loan before her mother's departure. Grace remembered the day she was led into the banker's office vividly.
"James Sterling," the man introduced himself. He looked to be about thirty-five. "I must warn you, our bank is ruthless with debtors," Sterling said, glancing briefly at her paperwork. "The amount you're requesting is very large, and the interest rates are high."
"I have no choice," Grace said quietly, though she was trembling with nerves. "I need this money immediately, and as I understand it, your bank provides the funds upfront."
"You understand correctly," Sterling said slowly, his tone icy. "But I've warned you. I can see this is your first time taking out a major loan."
Grace flushed. She was a proud woman, and the slightest hint of her vulnerability stung. She signed the papers in silence, barely looking at the document. As she left, she noticed Sterling's intense gaze following her—a look full of genuine interest and a hint of concern. However, within a few days, she had forgotten the visit and Sterling himself.
Encouraging news arrived from the clinic in Zurich: the first surgery was difficult, but her mother's condition had stabilized. Grace was overjoyed; a weight had been lifted from her heart. Meanwhile, Collins hadn't given up hope of starting an affair with her. But Grace was so absorbed in work that she didn't notice his lingering stares, suggestive smiles, or any of the other "charms" that usually worked on the young employees at the marketing firm where she worked.
Then, troubling news came from Switzerland. Alice's condition had worsened again due to complications, and the chief surgeon was forced to postpone the second operation. This news shattered Grace. She lost her sleep and became distracted at work.
One day, Collins reprimanded her loudly in front of several colleagues. Grace trembled; she realized this was a calculated, petty revenge for her indifference. She tried to keep her composure, but after hearing a few crude laughs at her expense, she snapped and gave him a resounding slap across the face. She grabbed her bag and ran out of the office, determined never to return.
She spent the whole night thinking about what happened. By morning, having calmed down, she realized she wouldn't find another job with such a high salary on short notice. Swallowing her pride, she decided to go back. However, a new blow awaited her at the office: a termination notice.
Grace spent the following week searching for a new job. Then, one evening, the phone rang. She flinched and let it ring for a long time, as if sensing disaster. With shaking hands, she finally picked up. It was the familiar voice of the doctor.
"I'm so sorry, Grace, that it ended this way. But you can rest assured—your mother passed away peacefully, with your name on her lips."
Grace didn't listen further. She dropped the phone and fell onto the sofa, letting out a low groan. She didn't even have the strength to cry. She lay there in a daze, in a semi-conscious state, all through the night.
***
After burying her mother, Grace lived the next month as if in a dream. Then, she finally remembered the loan and the mounting interest. She had no time left to find a job, so she decided to ask the banker for an extension. Numb with grief and desperation, she went to the bank and was led into the same office where she had once sat full of hope.
Sterling appeared immediately, looking at her sternly and suspiciously. Overcoming her fear, Grace explained her request. Sterling paused for a long time—a silence that felt like an eternity.
"What happened to you?" he asked suddenly. "Did you lose your job?"
At these words, Grace involuntarily shuddered and gave a short nod.
"Why?" Sterling pressed. "A disagreement with your employer?"
Grace wanted to explain passionately, but she suddenly bit her lip. She couldn't bring herself to tell him what had happened with her boss.
"You are asking for a significant favor, yet you refuse to give a basic explanation of your circumstances," Sterling said. "What answer do you expect me to give you?"
Grace, swallowing tears, answered in a breaking voice, "It's personal, and my personal life is none of your business! I am simply begging for compassion. If you refuse me, then you have a heart of stone!"
When she said that, Sterling slammed down the folder he was holding and stood up abruptly. His eyes flashed with a fire that truly frightened her.
"Please, forgive me," she whispered, shrinking under his gaze. "Try to understand my position... I've suffered such a loss..."
Sterling didn't answer. He turned away and walked quickly out of the office. Grace returned home in a state of total apathy. Looking at the walls of her childhood home, she sobbed uncontrollably. She had dreamed her mother would get well and they would live as before, but everything had changed. Her dreams were gone; she was completely alone with her grief.
***
Grace packed her things in advance and managed to convince an acquaintance to take her in. The woman begrudgingly allowed her to live in a small guest house by the garage. When the bank repossessed her apartment, Grace moved there with her meager belongings. One day, Sterling called her. Grace stared at his number on the screen with a strange, nervous smile, but she didn't answer.
A dark thought began to take root in her mind—one she was almost afraid to admit to herself. She ignored the dismal conditions of her temporary home; her thoughts were entirely consumed by Sterling. She couldn't forget his face or the tone he used when he refused to help her. Gradually, a plan for revenge formed. Grace was surprised by how quickly and easily she decided to go through with it. She began to prepare.
Grace was a striking beauty. That alone was enough to drive any man mad. She remembered the strong impression she had made on Sterling during their first meeting, though she hadn't cared then. Now, she was certain that with enough effort, she could make him lose his head. She put on her best dress and her few pieces of jewelry. Looking in the mirror, she looked every bit the socialite. For a second, her mother's face appeared in her mind. Grace felt a twinge of shame and stood in thought for a moment.
The clock showed 8:00 PM—the end of the business day. Steeling herself, she headed toward the bank. She hoped to catch Sterling leaving alone, but he was walking with a friend, talking animatedly.
Both men got into a car. Grace hailed a taxi and ordered the driver to follow them. Fifteen minutes later, they arrived at an upscale lounge. She stepped out of the cab and walked into the club with a steady stride. She immediately spotted Sterling sitting alone at the bar, slowly sipping a whiskey. His friend had gone somewhere. This was her moment. Trying not to think about the consequences, she walked up behind him. Sterling startled and turned around. He seemingly didn't recognize her at first, which wasn't surprising—Grace felt like a stranger even to herself. But the mutual confusion lasted only a few heartbeats. Sterling recovered quickly and looked at her with intense curiosity. Grace's legs felt weak with fear, but she didn't show it.
"Will you join me?" he asked finally, indicating the stool next to him.
Grace didn't wait to be asked twice. She accepted his invitation, which felt more like a command.
"A drink?" Sterling continued in the same tone, signaling the bartender.
A glass of Cabernet was placed before her. Grace took a few sips. The wine went straight to her head, making her heart race and her vision swim. Sterling, by contrast, remained focused and composed; the whiskey didn't seem to affect him at all.
"Why didn't you answer my call?" he asked.
"I didn't hear it," Grace lied. "And then I didn't dare call back, since we're barely acquaintances."
"In that case, let's get better acquainted," Sterling said, giving her another of those long, strange looks that made her uneasy.
"Shall we dance?" Grace asked, surprising even herself.
Sterling smiled. Apparently, he hadn't expected that from her. In that moment, Grace looked breathtaking, and he gave a short nod of agreement. They danced several times without saying a word, but catching a glimpse of her companion's face, Grace saw with satisfaction that she was succeeding. A deep flush had replaced his usual paleness, and his hands seemed to tension.
"That's enough for him today—and for me," Grace thought. "I'll continue tomorrow with a clear... and sober head. One more push and he's mine."
She stood up and headed for the exit, focusing hard on staying upright. Sterling rushed after her.
"Grace, let me drive you," he said, taking her arm. He seemed almost as shaken as she was. "Where do you live?"
Grace stopped and looked him straight in the eye.
"You're better off not knowing, James," she said mockingly, shifting to a familiar tone. "I'm afraid my hovel would scare you to death. So don't walk me out. I'll call you tomorrow."
***
Grace spent that night without sleep, planning her next moves. By morning, she was ready. Fulfilling her promise, she called Sterling. He picked up immediately, and she knew he had been waiting for the call. She arranged to meet him at a café near the club. Sterling arrived on time. Noticing his tired eyes and hollow cheeks, Grace smiled. The sight of a lovestruck Sterling was such a sharp contrast to the cold, arrogant banker that she no longer doubted her success.
They talked for nearly two hours, which seemed to finish James off. He left the date in a daze. His feelings had ignited so suddenly that he couldn't understand it himself. He didn't want to lose this beautiful, mysterious woman. This continued for a month. Grace began to catch herself actually liking this strong, masculine man. She was afraid of falling in love; near him, she felt confident and less alone. But pride and the resentment over her past pain took over. She pushed love away—revenge was the goal.
A month later, much to his own surprise, Sterling proposed. James didn't understand how or when he had fallen so hard for this proud woman. He remembered their first meeting, after which he had lost his peace of mind. Since that day, his thoughts had been occupied only by Grace. She could see the impression she had made, yet she hadn't expected things to move so fast. She hadn't expected him to take her light flirtation so seriously. She felt ashamed of her deception, but the memory of the shack where she was living suppressed her guilt. Moreover, it stung that James hadn't said a word about the apartment she believed she had lost because of him. She agreed to the marriage, not fully realizing what was happening. Sterling was so tender and caring that she felt herself losing her bearings. She had wanted to seduce him and ruin him with expensive gifts and trips, but the proposal threw her off. At the same time, she realized her old hatred was fading, replaced by genuine affection. James insisted she move into his house before the wedding papers were finalized. With a racing heart, Grace let events take their course.
During those days, she dreamed of her mother every night. Her mother was smiling, as if happy about the marriage. During their honeymoon, Sterling changed completely. Grace didn't recognize the happy, gentle young man as the same cold banker who had refused her an extension. Of course, that problem had vanished, as James took over all financial matters. Then, taking advantage of her husband's good mood, Grace worked up the courage to ask him to return her mother's apartment.
Sterling looked troubled and admitted with visible agitation that he couldn't do it. The situation at the bank was such that he couldn't act on his own. Grace struggled to hide a surge of anger. She felt that for the sake of their love, he should have made that sacrifice. She decided then to use trickery to get back the home that was her only memory of her mother.
Having worked in marketing for years, Grace understood financial reports and contracts. Waiting for the right moment, she slipped into her husband's home office and, after a long search, found the document regarding her apartment. She discovered that the apartment was about to be sold to a wealthy family who were willing to pay double for the location. The contract was ready; it only needed signatures. Grace took the contract and, the next day, called the buyer using the number on the document. Emboldened, she canceled the deal on behalf of the bank.
***
The next day, James returned home looking dark as a thundercloud. Seeing his face, Grace retreated into her armchair. Finally, he forced a smile and said in a strained voice, "I have bad news, babe. The bank took a huge hit on a deal, and we're in serious trouble."
Grace felt cold sweat break out on her forehead.
"How did that happen?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
"A major client lost trust in us and pulled out. Because of his unexpected withdrawal, we've lost an astronomical sum."
"Why did he refuse to do business with you?" Grace asked, looking into his eyes.
Sterling frowned and paced the room for a few minutes.
"Over a trifle not worth mentioning," he said gloomily at last.
Grace flared up and couldn't stop herself. "My mother's apartment is a 'trifle' to you, but to me, it's all I have left of her!"
Sterling snapped his head up, his eyes blazing.
"So it was you!" he hissed. "I had a suspicion, but I couldn't believe you'd be so reckless! I thought that story was in the past! So that apartment is more important to you than our happiness?"
"It's a part of my life you can't understand," Grace argued. "It's the only place I still feel my mother's warmth. And you clearly forgot that you threw me out on the street with nothing! Yes, after everything I went through, I decided to get even. Now you can feel a fraction of the pain I felt."
But James, not listening, gripped her arm so hard she cried out.
"A fraction? Your stunt cost me a fortune! Did you marry me just for the money? Was our marriage just your revenge for a debt I didn't forgive?" Consumed by rage, he jerked her arm, nearly twisting it.
"Let me go!" Grace screamed, struggling. "I hate you! I want a divorce!"
Sterling's eyes went cold instantly, and the anger drained from his face.
"Not so fast," he muttered, giving her a threatening look before walking out.
Grace packed her things and, with a few savings, moved into a small room in a hostel. The breakup with James devastated her. She hadn't wanted such a horrific ending, and it took her days to recover from the shock. A deep longing for James prevented her from celebrating her "victory." She had her revenge, but she felt wretched.
Just as she was beginning to calm down, a new blow fell. A detective arrived and informed her that criminal charges for fraud had been filed against her. As it turned out, Sterling had tracked her new address through a taxi driver and reported her to the police.
She spent the whole day at the station, and in the evening, a man named Miller, Sterling's lawyer, visited her.
"James has significant claims against you, Grace," he began. "Your husband is waiting for you to make the first move—in other words, he expects an apology."
Grace shook with rage.
"He's the one who's wrong. I won't humiliate myself, even if he puts me behind bars!"
"You might not realize that is exactly where you are headed," Miller hissed.
Grace went cold with fear. Being extremely proud, she refused to surrender or take the first step toward reconciliation, even though her heart was breaking with longing and hatred for her husband.
***
Grace held her ground in court and refused to yield, even when the judge handed down a harsh sentence: two years in prison. In that moment, Grace mentally said goodbye to James, realizing she had crossed a line by betraying his trust and love. She accepted the verdict and tried to adjust to her new life in prison.
A month later, an unusual package arrived for her: a black tulip with a red ribbon on the stem. Grace's heart skipped a beat as she accepted the flower. Two days later, she was suddenly released without explanation. She realized then that James had dropped the charges and secured her release. She finally decided she had to ask for his forgiveness.
But first, she went to her mother's grave. As she approached the familiar plot, she saw someone standing by the low fence. He had his head bowed, completely lost in thought, and didn't notice Grace's footsteps. Following a secret intuition, Grace reached out and touched his shoulder. When James turned to her, she saw his pale face.
"Forgive me," she whispered, handing him the black tulip she had brought with her. Instead of answering, James pulled Grace to him and held her tight.
"I bought the apartment back and put it in your name," he whispered after a long silence. "I will make up for every day of your imprisonment with a year of my life. Does that settle the debt?"
Grace laughed and hid her face against his chest.
"It does," she replied softly, as if afraid to disturb the sacred peace of the cemetery. "That means you promise to live to at least sixty-five, which isn't bad. Although, I'm counting on a much longer term."
Sterling smiled and placed the tulip on Alice's grave.
"Mom, I'm not alone anymore. Everything is just the way you wanted, and you will always live in my heart," Grace whispered, looking gratefully toward the sky.
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