Chased by my Ex Husband

Grace

"Tristin, you need to listen to me." Instinctively, I leap behind him.

He takes long strides, walking away with a predatory ease that makes my heart heavy.

Before I can reach him, a hand closes around my wrist and pulls me back. I glance at the hand, and then the face of the man holding me back.

Anger simmers beneath my skin, threatening to spill over. Desperate, I take my eyes off Ethan and look in the direction where Tristin disappeared. He didn't even spare me a look. Not even once.

"Was it you?" Ethan asks, his fingers digging in my flesh.

I wince and jerk my hand free. "I wish. But you are just too stupid to fight Tristin, Ethan. You should give up now."

"This is only the start. A little setback can not stop me, Grace. " Ethan says, grabbing my wrist again.

I grit my jaw, ready to retort but a familiar voice makes me halt. I move towards the railing, my wrist still clenched between Ethan's hands.

Lily stands on the stage, wearing a glittery black dress that highlights her perfect curves. With a confident smile on her lips, and a mic in her hand, she looks ethereal.

Her charming voice draws everyone's attention, but I am not listening to her. I am focusing on how people react to her, how they never gossip when she appears, and how they seem to worship the ground she walks on. With her, people don't care even if she was accused of attempted murder just a few days ago.

They simply don't mind whatever she does, because she is someone like that-someone who is born to shine under the spotlight and knows how to harness affection from the people around her.

The way she walks with grace, speaks with a soft voice, carries herself in a harmless feminine way...people love it.

People don't give a damn if this siren of a woman destroyed my life.

The anger cools in my veins, as I stare at, and watch the way she moves, and present the project on the screen.

She speaks in a know-it-all manner about the design I once made and she snatched. No one will doubt her even if I scream the truth at the top of my lungs.

"Don't hate her. She has had it hard, Grace." Ethan's soft voice sounds close to my ear.

"After everything you know about her... "I murmur, feeling like I am repeating myself again.

How many times will I ask him the same thing, go through the same ordeal?

"She made mistakes. She is ready to fix them." He provides an excuse.

I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat. "I should give her the chance to fix things."

"Yes, you should. All she needs is a chance. "He coaxes, his thump running down the back of my hand.

I throw him a soft smile and nod again." I should. Let me go watch her from close."

His lack of anger towards the Tristin situation doesn't surprise me. He must have expected this much from a Roberto man. Besides, he must have seen Tristin walk out on me which makes him happy. Now, in his delighted oblivion, he wants me to give him and his lover another chance.

Reluctantly, Ethan releases me." No funny business, Grace. Don't ruin this day anymore."

"I won't, Ethan. Let's all give each other a chance. "I sigh, wrapping my arms around myself, my cell still clutched in my hand.

I receive a suspicious nod from him and conclude, that he is still an arrogant ass.

Without delaying any further, I go down the stairs and towards back stage where the whole setup for the screen is.

Lily's humorous words draw laughter from her audience and makes them fall more in love with her.

I can't help but imagine a different situation. If Tristin had fallen into Ethan's trap, these people would have laughed at him too. They would have loved to watch a powerful man fail in front of the world. But will they love to see the same happening to their sweetheart?

My eyes flash a cold glint as I open my phone and do what I came here for. The people working on their systems don't doubt me because of my expensive dress and because, they now know me as Ethan Calder's wife. Mrs. Calder-the shallow title holds immense influence.

"Do not detach this phone. "I order them before walking away.

I don't fear they will go against my command as they will never try to defy a so-called influential woman like me.

I step out just in time the stimulation starts on the screen. Excitedly, Lily steps away and waits for her success, to reclaim her reputation.

The video I leaked from the club was immediately suppressed by Ethan to protect her. Not many people saw it or became familiar with Lily's true face onmaybe they are aware, but choose to forget about it to O accomodate a girl like her.

Then isn't it better to remind the world who she is?

I smile lazily as the scene on the screen shifts to Lily's smug face in the dim lightning.

"My projects, my dreams, my designs. You took everything..."

My words float through the silent air, and instantly, faces pale and murmurs start. Amidst the chaos, I keep my eyes on Lily who stares at the screen, shell shocked. She thought she swept it under the rug already.

She thought she could move around freely and become an amazing woman again.

"Shut it down! This is a lie. My sister-she-she trapped me." Lily sniffles, her wide eyes moving around the Hall, searching for someone to help her.

"Turn it off. "I hear Ethan hiss at someone in the distance.

But the video has already reached the point where she acknowledges what she did, and Lily's mask has been ripped off again.

"Grace." Her frenzied eyes, meet my face in the middle of the murmuring crowd and tears start falling from her eyes.

"Why are you doing this to me, Grace?" She cries out, and places her hand on her chest.

"She stood there, so dignified and all, and I thought she must have resolved her issue with her sister."

"I guess not. Both sisters are after Mr. Calder. Lily is out for Grace's blood to have him."

"How shameless the Whitlocks are!"

Suddenly, I am not the only one in the hot waters. She is here with me, and there is nothing more satisfying in this world than have her pulled into the mud. "You call Whitlocks shameless?" I scoff, turning to the group of people gossiping loud enough for everyone to hear.

One of them starts, " Grace Whitlock, you are truly-"

"This woman here, my so-called sister, is representing the Calders right now. Don't you find it hilarious that Ethan Calder brings one sister in as his wife and another as his employee? And don't you find it funny that Lily Whitlock is here only because she is warming my husband's bed?" I chuckle, shaking my head.

Eyes fall on me, people turn silent.

"He is the one who can not let go of both shameless sisters. He wants both of us." I muse. "Grace, why are you bringing Ethan into this?" Lily shrieks, her voice cracking with sobs.

Oh, did I hurt my husband's mistress? "whip around to face her fake, pathetic figure. "Isn't it true that you sleep with him behind my back and then show up in front of me every day to play sisters?"

"Grace. " Her face pales.

QUMS

"Or is it that you like it too? You like the idea of fucking your sister's husband, don't you?" I walk closer to the stage, as the red invades my sight again.

I want to beat her again. I want to keep at it until this rage disappears.

Before I can get to her, Ethan comes into my view. I pick up my head and meet his darkening gaze, full of rage and a promise of violence.

"Enough, Grace. You have crossed the line." He hisses under his breath, still stopping me from reaching his beloved.

I smile. He wanted to embarrass Tristin?

Slap!

I raise my hand and slap him across the cheek. His head turns to the side with the impact, shock appearing on his features.

"You wanted to show me off as your wife, didn't you?" I whisper, still smiling and unable to feel the sting in my hand. " here I am, Ethan. Now go on. Show me off all you want."