With tears winding unchecked down her face she had looked bleakly at Grace “I am so sorry Grace, can you ever forgive me?”
She however, had smiled, a wide happy smile as she had pulled her mother into her arms “He isn’t my father…Oh my God that is the best news I have heard in so long”
Pulling back, her mother had regarded her with confusion “But…don’t you see, people will know that you were not born in wedlock…you will be penalised for it…Alexos and his family will not see you as suitable”
Taking her mother’s hand once more in hers, she had smiled warmly
“Things have changed mother. People do not think that way anymore…and certainly not Alexos and his family; they don’t care where I came from…more what I have achieved”
Looking back at her daughter she had shaken her head sadly “No Grace…things have not changed as much as you think”
Lifting her hand to gently stroke her daughter’s cheek she had given a shaky smile “You are just not the kind to care….but his family will”
Another tear rising to her eyes “And it is all my fault”
With another shake of her head Grace had risen
“No…not your fault. My whole life you were the only person who ever looked after or gave a damn about me…and I love you mum…and now it is my turn to look after you. First you will need a lawyer and also a place to stay”
Standing with her daughter her mother had given another pained look
“There was another reason I did not leave him long ago Grace. When we married I was made to sign a pre-nup which meant that if I left, I left with nothing”
Frowning Grace had knitted her brows together before giving a smile
“Not to worry. I have been saving for a place for a long time. At least enough to put down a deposit on a decent place…I don’t need anywhere mum, I am travelling so much, but it would be nice if I had a base to come back to when I needed one”
Frowning, her mother had looked quizzically at her “What about you and Alexos…why would you need a base?”
Grace chastising herself for her words, putting a forced smile on her face “It would still be nice to come and spend time with you” her mother giving a small unsure smile back “No…I appreciate it …but I have to find a job and stand on my own feet Grace”#p#分页标题#e#
Biting her lip she had looked at her mother with concern “Well then perhaps just a loan till you get settled”
Her mother had inclined her head softly “maybe” she had smiled, Grace grinning warmly back
“I have booked you a room here for the next couple of days or you can come and stay on the island with Alexos and me”
Looking at her with such love her mother had shaken her head. “If you don’t mind Grace…I think that here would be best for me…I need to start the ball rolling and talk with a lawyer. I have some money that I managed to save so I want to just get things moving”
As they had moved to the room that had been booked, Grace using some of her savings, feeling that it was worth it to ensure her mother was comfortable, they had organised for the best divorce lawyer to meet with them, Grace not really sure where she had got the name from. By nightfall her mother had been tired, and hugging her tightly she had returned to Alexos’ suite finding him waiting for her, concerned for her mother.
As she had explained everything that had been said, he had frowned softly.
“Your mother is right Grace. There are still those who will use your birth against you” his eyes solemn, she surprised that he would feel that way. Giving a small derisory half-laugh she had looked back at him
“Well I guess that you should thank your lucky stars that you dodged a bullet”
Alexos looking back at her with a firm set to his mouth. “I do not count myself amongst those…and I would certainly not ever say that I dodged a bullet”
Grace looked away, shame filling her “I’m sorry…that was uncalled for”
Pulling her into his arms he had kissed her tenderly “It will be fine Grace…I promise things will work out for you and your mother”, Grace had given him a none-too-sure return smile sighing softly.
The following day she had woken late, frowning at the realisation that she was alone, moving around the suite looking for him. With a groan of pain she had once more thought of Angelica Fleur. Was his unexpected trip back to the mainland too much of a temptation not to meet with the beauty, Grace once more remembering the way he had confirmed that her birth was a problem. Raising her small chin with pride she had told herself that she did not care. If it meant so much to him then he would be rid of her soon enough.