Chapter 134
Jordan sighed softly. “Fine, make your own decisions. But don’t wait so long that Yancey’s already got a kid while you’re still on your own. When you’re ready to move on, let me know. There’s no shortage of smart, capable women in Druville who’d line up to wait for you.”
He raised a hand and rubbed his brow, clearly frustrated. “You’ve never needed my help with anything else. Why is it that love is where you fall flat?”
Ethan answered calmly, “I’m fine with things the way they are, Dad.”
Grace stood outside the study, listening. Her chest tightened.
Ethan really was that perfect-brilliant, elegant, and composed. Yet this man was still waiting for someone who would never come back. Was fate punishing him?
She swallowed hard.
Just then, the door opened, and Ethan came out in his wheelchair. As he passed her, he said, “Let’s go.”
She hurried after him.
When she pushed the wheelchair out from Henderson Residence, there was no car in sight. The main gate was at least a 30-minute walk from where they were.
With no other option, she placed both hands on the handles of the wheelchair, and the two of them slowly made their way toward the massive iron gates.
Seriously! How could a family as wealthy as the Hendersons not have a car waiting at the entrance?
Her gaze drifted down, landing on his back. It was going to be a long 30-minute walk, and sooner or later, she’d have to fill the silence.
“Mr. Henderson, I think Mr. Henderson Senior had a point. You shouldn’t keep waiting forever. Having someone by your side might actually make life a little better.”
“So, you think I’m a cripple; someone who needs to be taken care of, huh?”
“No! No, not at all. I just… I just don’t want you to be alone.”
That only made it worse, and she rushed to fix it. “Not that you’re not used to it. I mean, someone like you is probably already used to being alone.”
The weight of those words hit her square in the chest, like her heart had been squeezed by a fist. She opened her mouth, wanting to comfort him, but everything she could think of sounded weak.
His loneliness wasn’t something she-or anyone else could fix. The only person who could was long gone. And he was still waiting… for someone who would never come back.
Grace tightened her grip on the wheelchair handles. She couldn’t help but say, “Honestly, there are so many amazing women in Druville. You could easily find someone incredible. Maybe even through a marriage alliance. One of those partnerships could eventually turn into real love. You’d have someone to walk with, read, travel with “
She would’ve kept going, but Ethan cut her off. “How does the moon look tonight? Does it look good?”
Her steps faltered, and she looked up almost automatically. “Uh… Yeah, it’s not bad.”
Ethan responded with a casual hum.
What… What was that supposed to mean?
Grace held her tongue, unsure of what to say. The silence dragged on until the
large iron gates came into view. Just beyond them was a car waiting.
That was when she finally spoke. “The moon’s nice, sure… but you definitely look better, Mr. Henderson. When I’m around you, I don’t even notice the moon. It honestly feels like a waste that no one’s appreciating how good you look.” Cóntent
She knew she was rambling at this point, but she couldn’t help it. The heavy silence that always hung around Ethan got to her, giving her the impression that his emotions were buried too deep to reach.
He gave a low chuckle as soon as the words left her mouth.
Grace let out a breath, instantly feeling like all her babbling had been worth it.
He chuckled for several seconds before asking, “So, you’ve been admiring me this whole time?”
He meant had she really been checking him out?
Well, it was too late to be shy now. She had already gone to that point.
“Of course! I can’t help sneaking a few glances. Mr. Henderson, you’re ridiculously
good-looking, no doubt about it.”
Ethan merely replied with a hum.
Oh god… Now, she didn’t know what to say next.
Because the truth was, she had never dared to think beyond that. She had never dared to cross a line. So even if she had been admiring his face and his presence, it had never come with desire. Anything more would’ve felt wrong on every level.
“Mr. Henderson, I really do think you’re a genuinely good person.”
He was well-mannered and disciplined, and he actually stood for something.
Maybe it was just human nature to be drawn to beauty, but seeing someone like him smile made her want to try harder.
Ethan’s lips curved ever so slightly, but he didn’t look at her. His gaze drifted out the window instead. “Do you have a daily quota to meet tonight? Like a KPI for complimenting me?”
Grace froze, her eyes going wide. She could hardly believe Ethan had actually said those words. So, he knew how to crack a joke.