Night fell, shrouding everything in darkness, and the sky was ablaze with lightning and thunder. Torrential rain poured down upon Barrett Manor, obscuring any moonlight. In the midst of this darkness, a figure appeared near the mansion’s entrance.
The visitor requested to see Marvin through the intercom at the front gate. The security personnel relayed the message to the butler, Thomas.
“Thomas, there’s someone at the gate asking to see Marvin Barrett.”
Thomas, awakened from slumber by the ringing phone, responded groggily, “If it’s for Marvin, they should go to the other Barrett Manor.”
“Thomas, she’s looking at me so intensely, it’s terrifying. Can you come and check it out?”
“Just a moment…” Thomas suddenly became alert. Marvin had returned to Barrett Manor today, and he wasn’t acquainted with many people, let alone expecting visitors. “Quick, escort the person to the grand hall, and I’ll inform the master.”
Just then, Aldrich, who was still asleep, received an urgent call from Charlie, notifying him that Grace was on her way to Barrett Manor and had already reached the main gate.
As Aldrich hurriedly changed his clothes, he confirmed, “Are you sure it’s Grace?”
Thomas’s reply, accompanied by the sound of heavy rain over the phone, came, “Yes, we’ve been tracking her all the way here. She’s moving incredibly fast, so we had to notify you first.”
Maggie had also been awakened by the commotion, and she drew back the curtains to a night plagued by wind and rain, intensifying her worry.
“Maggie, stay in your room.” Aldrich gently stroked her hair and planted a kiss on her forehead.
“I’m worried about Grace too.”
“I know, but it’s dangerous outside, and the weather is terrible. If Grace is the target, I’m concerned something might happen. Stay here for the sake of our child.”
Maggie nodded slowly and leaned in to kiss Aldrich. “Remember, don’t hurt Grace.”
“I’ll do my best,” Aldrich replied.
As Aldrich stepped out of the room, he encountered Marvin and Thomas heading his way. Thomas was about to report on the phone, but Marvin grabbed Aldrich’s arm and quickly pulled him downstairs.
Aldrich looked surprised. “I was just about to inform you. How did you get this information?”
“Thomas told me that Grace is outside and wants to see me.”
“So, you rushed out without even changing your clothes?”
“Aldrich, this is no time for jokes!”
Aldrich landed a punch on Marvin, and not just Marvin, even Thomas was taken aback by Aldrich’s actions.
Marvin, ignoring the pain on his face, continued, “You might not care about Grace, but I do!”
“That punch was to keep you on your toes! Don’t walk into a trap unprepared!”
“I don’t have time to argue with you!”
Marvin released Aldrich and hurried outside. The guards at the door tried to offer him an umbrella, but he waved it off.
Aldrich frowned and instructed Thomas behind him, “Gather all the security personnel. Half of them stay here to ensure Maggie’s safety, and the other half joins us at the entrance. Remember, if necessary, protect Marvin!”
At the community gate, the security guard, having hung up the phone, opened the door while holding an umbrella. “Sir, the butler said he has informed the master, and he’ll be here shortly. You can go inside to take shelter from the rain.”
“No, I want to see Marvin.”
The security guard was taken aback by the person’s voice, but with no moonlight tonight and the pouring rain, they couldn’t recognize this individual. “You can go inside to get out of the rain. It’s raining heavily.”
A bright lightning flash illuminated the scene, and the security guard saw the person’s injuries and blood on their face.
“Oh…”
The thunderous sound of thunder drowned out the guard’s scream. Terrified, the guard crawled inside, struggling to get through the large gate. “No, don’t kill me…”
Aldrich and Grace, who had arrived, witnessed the scene from afar. Aldrich instinctively thought Grace was attacking, and he was about to call the guards, but Marvin turned towards him, his gaze locked onto him. “No, Aldrich Barrett, she wants to see me. Please don’t interfere!”
“Marvin, don’t tell me you’ve lost your sanity already! Grace is being controlled by someone with malicious intentions!”
Before Aldrich could finish his words, Marvin had already rushed into the pouring rain. The terrified guard spoke, “She’s so terrifying, filled with an aura of death. She must be an omen…”
“Shut up!” Marvin roared, interrupting the guard’s words. He wouldn’t allow anyone to speak ill of Grace.
Through the open gates, Marvin looked outside. In the pitch-black darkness and the pouring rain, a solitary figure stood, occasionally illuminated by lightning. It was Grace. Marvin was certain of it.
“Grace,” Marvin shouted, his voice blending with the sound of raindrops hitting the ground. “What brought you here on such a stormy night?”
Grace’s face was drenched, her wet hair clinging to her skin. She gazed at Marvin, her eyes filled with determination and vulnerability, reflecting her inner turmoil. “Marvin.”
When Marvin saw the pain in Grace’s eyes, his expression softened, and his face was filled with concern. “Grace, let’s find a place to take shelter from the rain. We can talk in the study.”
“No!” Grace roared.
Marvin closed the distance between him and Grace, his eyes filled with care and determination. “Step back,” Grace roared again, her voice trembling with despair.
Marvin furrowed his brows in confusion. “Why? What’s wrong?” he asked, his tone gentle yet firm.
“I’ll hurt you,” Grace declared, her voice quivering with pain.
Marvin took a step closer, searching for answers on Grace’s face. “Tell me what happened. I can help you,” he said, his voice filled with genuine concern.
A glint of sadness flickered in Grace’s eyes as her voice trembled with sorrow. “No one can help me. I’ve turned into a monster.”
Aldrich, who had been silently observing the scene, cautiously took a step forward, his expression clearly indicating his intent to provide support. But before he could speak, Grace let out a deep growl from the depths of her throat, a warning cry echoing in the rain. She took a few steps back.
Marvin suddenly realized, his eyes widening as he saw Grace’s torment. His heart ached for her. He longed to reach out to her in her darkest moment, to comfort her. Knowing that she felt like a monster tore at his soul and ignited a determination within him.
“You’re not a monster, Grace,” Marvin asserted, his voice brimming with conviction. “No matter what you’re going through, we’ll face it together. I won’t let you face this alone.”
As Grace listened to Marvin’s words, tears glistened in her eyes. Her conflicted emotions wrestled within her, a part of her wanting to push him away to protect him from the darkness that threatened to consume her. But another part, longing for comfort and acceptance, yearned for Marvin’s unwavering support.
Grace took a deep breath, steadying herself, her voice filled with determination and vulnerability. “Marvin, I’m in trouble.”
Marvin’s expression softened, his heart breaking for the pain Grace was enduring. “You don’t have to do this, Grace. We will find a way. We will overcome this darkness together.”
Aldrich’s voice broke the tense atmosphere, carrying both authority and sympathy. “Grace, calm down. We can help you. Even if you’ve become a monster, we won’t abandon you because you’re family.”
As the leader of The BlueMoon Pack, Aldrich was a trustworthy and respected figure, and his words carried great persuasion. His unwavering support, coupled with his position, made his assurance all the more convincing.
Grace’s racing heart gradually calmed, and the storm within her began to subside. She found herself no longer resisting Marvin’s presence, and her anxious eyes held a glimmer of hope.
Marvin cautiously closed the distance between them, his steps gentle and tender. He could sense the lingering apprehension in the air, but he refused to let it deter him. Grace’s happiness was his top priority, and he was determined to be a lighthouse for her in her darkest hours.
Meanwhile, Maggie stood at the window on the second floor, silently observing the scene before her. She had always been an observer and a silent supporter of the one she loved. In that moment, she felt both worried and relieved, her heart aching for Grace’s pain but hoping they could find a way to help her.