Chapter 104
Grace had expected Ethan to come out soon, but by the time she saw him again, three hours had slipped by. He looked awful. His face was so pale that it made his lips seem unnaturally red.
Simon hovered beside him, frantic. “Where are your meds? The meds!”
Ethan waved him off weakly, his nose beaded with sweat.
Grace took in the scene, her mind blanking. She rushed to the car, fumbling to find his medication, except she had no idea what she was even looking for.
Before she could search any further, Simon shoved her aside. “Move! You’re just wasting time.”
He sounded harsh. He searched the car and quickly pulled out a white pill bottle. He tapped out a pill and held it to Ethan’s lips.
Anyone could see how close they were. Simon’s hands trembled, his fear so raw it looked like he’d go down if Ethan did. But Ethan only turned his head to the side, his eyes hollow with exhaustion.
Simon snapped. “Just take it! What are you waiting for?”
Grace’s stomach lurched. If Ethan crashed on her watch, the Hendersons would have her head. She’d disappear without a trace.
“Mr. Henderson, what else do you need? Just say the word, and I’ll get it right now!”
She stepped closer, finally meeting his gaze. His eyes were bloodshot-the kind that came from too many sleepless nights. Desperation took hold of her as she grabbed his wrist.
“Mr. Henderson, you look like hell!”
Ethan froze, his gaze locked on where their hands met. Grace hadn’t even noticed in her panic, but Simon sure had.
He exploded. “Get your damn hands off him! Who the hell do you think you are? You don’t get to touch him!”
Simon shoved Grace back so hard she nearly hit the ground. Only then did she realize she had crossed a line.
Simon stepped between her and Ethan, his expression thunderous. “Grace, cut the act. Just because Yancey dumped you doesn’t mean you can slither your way to Ethan. What, you think marrying him and becoming Yancey’s aunt would be some kind of payback?
“Not happening! A woman like you-trash, through and through doesn’t even deserve to breathe the same air as Ethan!”
The hatred in his eyes was unmistakable. But the moment the words left his mouth, he turned back to Ethan, his anger giving way to worry.
Ethan’s eyes stayed shut, sweat beading at his temples. He looked strong yet frighteningly fragile.
Simon started pushing his wheelchair toward the car. “Let’s get you home.”
Grace hurried after them.
Simon looked like he was about to tear into her again, but Ethan stopped him. “Let her come along.”
Simon had no choice but to hold his tongue. He took the wheel, leaving Grace in the back with Ethan. The pill bottle was set aside, untouched. Ethan hadn’t taken his medication.
Grace grabbed a water bottle and tapped out two more pills. “Mr. Henderson, you really should take these.”
Simon nearly made a snide remark-something about how if Ethan wouldn’t take the pills from him, there was no way in hell he’d take them from her. But just as he was about to snap, he caught sight of Ethan leaning back with his eyes shut and his lips barely parted.
Grace’s heart leaped. Carefully, she slipped the pills into his mouth.
Suddenly, the car lurched to a screeching stop, slamming her forward. She would’ve smashed her head against the seat if Ethan hadn’t caught her just in time.
His eyes snapped up, locking on Simon’s stunned reflection in the mirror. “Do you even know how to drive?”
Simon’s grip tightened on the wheel. “It’s not my fault she can’t be bothered to wear a seatbelt,” he shot back after a beat, though even he knew it was a weak excuse.
He stepped on the gas again, unease crawling up his spine. Since when did Ethan give a damn about Grace?
The moment Grace realized Ethan’s hand was still on her face, she jerked away. Grabbing a tissue, she all but scrubbed his palm raw like she was disinfecting it.
Ethan said nothing, letting her.