Maggie instinctively shielded her belly; if there was any danger, she’d protect her babies first.
The sharp dagger twirled nimbly in Grace’s hand before she sheathed it once more. She chuckled self-deprecatingly. “If nothing unexpected happens, I’ll use this dagger to pierce my own heart.”
Maggie, shocked, clutched the hand holding the dagger. “Grace!”
“But something unexpected did happen. You, Maggie, you’re the one who brought surprise and change.”
“I was so scared, Grace. Many people love you; please don’t hurt our hearts.”
“I understand, but I can’t accept being a puppet living in darkness, manipulated by Ethan to do evil. I was losing my sanity, and Ethan could control me, making me do… things. I must kill him!”
Grace’s recounting sent Maggie’s blood boiling. She truly realized that Grace was a brave warrior, deserving of praise and admiration. The Blue Moon Pack had grown so strong because it had someone like Grace as a spiritual pillar. She was deeply impressed by Grace’s charismatic personality.
“Last night, it was one of the rare moonless nights. The thunder and lightning disrupted Ethan’s control over me. I woke up in pain, and I wanted to say my final goodbye to Marvin, my dearest, before ending my own life with this dagger, no longer to be a pawn of Ethan’s chaos.”
“As you’ve said, you’re reborn now, Grace. You’ll have a new life, and Marvin will be there for you,” Maggie said with hope.
However, Grace only smiled. “My heart is already consumed by hatred, and until I’ve had my revenge, I won’t consider finding a partner.”
“What are you planning to do?”
“I will use my wolf claws to pierce Ethan’s chest, I swear.”
Grace handed the dagger to Maggie. “This dagger was a gift from Marvin on my eighteenth birthday. He said I was always impulsive, competing with others in speed and strength, but I lacked self-defense tools. Now, I’d like you to help me give it to Marvin.”
“Why, Grace? This all feels so strange, and it makes me uneasy.” Maggie clutched Grace’s hand tightly, as if she feared Grace would slip away and disappear in the blink of an eye.
“Marvin’s emotions toward me are too intense right now, and I can’t reciprocate them properly. It wouldn’t be fair to him. The best thing for him and me is to have less contact and fewer meetings. I have my own matters to attend to.”
“Is this your idea of a farewell?” Maggie asked.
“Yes, Maggie, it was nice to meet you. I’m leaving now.”
Grace placed the dagger on the sofa and walked to the window, preparing to jump out. Maggie followed her, holding the dagger. “You’re leaving right now? The dinner has already started. Marvin is waiting downstairs, along with Aldrich. We have so much more to discuss.”
“All this is enough for me now!”
The evening breeze ruffled Grace’s short hair, making a tiny, irrevocable arc. She seemed to be saying her goodbye. “Maggie, just consider this a moment of my weakness. I don’t want to entangle myself further with Marvin.”
“Wait, where are you going, and how can we find you…”
Grace placed her hands on the window frame and turned to look at Maggie. “I’ll go see Elwin first to put his mind at ease, and then…” Grace flashed a wicked smile. “I’ll venture into Ethan’s nightmares!”
From this height, Grace leaped out of the window, and by the time Maggie rushed to look outside, Grace’s figure was already gone. All that remained were the vast and splendid twilight hues reflecting on Maggie’s face.
The gentle breeze brushed Maggie’s hair lightly, and she sighed softly. “Grace, you truly are the hardest to control.”
When Maggie appeared alone in the dining room, Marvin immediately stood up from his chair. “Where’s Grace? Aldrich said she went to your room to talk with you.”
Maggie thought about how to break the news, holding the dagger as she approached Marvin. In an instant, Marvin recognized the dagger, and he almost teleported to her, wresting the dagger from Maggie’s hand. “Where did you get this?”
“Marvin!” Aldrich quickly protected Maggie and shouted at Marvin, “Where’s your composure?”
Maggie, still startled, sighed with relief. “I’m fine.”
“Maggie, tell me, what did Grace say to you, and where is she?” Marvin’s voice quivered; he had a guess in his heart.
Maggie held back her own pain. “You’ve already guessed…”
“No, I haven’t! This dagger, Grace said she’d never part with it.”
“She asked me to give it to you, and she has left.”
Marvin paced frantically in place. “It’s you. You must have said something that drove Grace away, right?”
Aldrich shielded Maggie and said, “Marvin, where’s your sense? It was you who almost punched me last night. When are you going to regain your composure?”
Maggie said, “She left just now, and she probably went to say goodbye to Elwin. You can go after her.”
“Back to her old Barrett Manor?” Marvin suddenly found his direction and yanked off the bowtie he had dressed for tonight. He rushed out of the dining room.
The dinner, which should have been filled with laughter, clinking glasses, and cheerful conversation, now had only the hosts, Maggie and Aldrich. Maggie allowed Aldrich to lead her to the main seat. Aldrich comforted her. “Thomas and Elizabeth spent a lot of time preparing this grand dinner, and it shouldn’t go to waste, even if it’s just the two of us.”
Maggie worriedly said, “I just hope Grace and Marvin will be alright.”
“It won’t be worse than before,” Aldrich reassured her.
“Grace is determined to get revenge on Ethan, and I’m afraid her radical actions might get her into trouble.”
“You must trust Grace. She’s different from Marvin, who may appear calm and composed on the surface but panics when things happen. Grace has courage and a plan. I believe she’ll be a great ally as we deal with Ethan.”
“But…” Maggie began, but Aldrich swallowed her worries with a husky voice. “In fact, Marvin had prepared a romantic candlelight dinner and a proposal.”
“You’re going to propose?”
Aldrich leaned in and kissed Maggie’s lips. “I’m proposing to you every moment.”
Maggie’s heart raced with Aldrich’s words. Candlelight by candlelight was lit, and they deepened their kiss, savoring the romantic ambiance and a sumptuous dinner.
“Now that the crisis is averted, can I move freely around Barrett Manor?” Maggie asked.
Aldrich shook his head. “I don’t want to go against my true feelings and lie to you, Maggie. I’d prefer to keep you by my side and never let you out of my sight.”
“I know you wouldn’t do that.”
“That’s right, I don’t want you to be unhappy. But could you give it a few more days? I’ll go with you when you’re ready.”
“I want to see Mrs. Jenkins; I miss her a lot. Aldrich, we’ve discussed boundaries and independence between us. I don’t want us to argue.”
“Of course,” Aldrich sighed and squeezed Maggie’s hand. “But the bodyguards are still essential. Your safety and the babies’ safety are of utmost importance.”