The next day she paced around like a mad woman , thinking and over thinking. She had met Mrs Young and found her to be a patient lady ...an iron woman. Why would she cry?

Is he leaving her?

Her pacing stopped that instant. .

Why did her thoughts started from him and ended on him?

"Miss , you not eat today." Marie , her servant said.

"I don't feel like it."

"Mr Young will kill me this time. I keep lying to the good sir." Marie twisted her hands , seeing the beautiful miss not interested in her offer.

"Lie again."

×××××

Matilda Young was loaded with gifts when she announced her leave for Fell. Everyone had compiled something for Grace with love except. . Hailey.

And maybe it was the fact that Mrs Young had dazzled everyone with Grace's beauty , they all were starstruck but Hailey. .she had always heard praises about her flawless skin and beautiful brown eyes and silky hair and now Grace. .was coming for her throne.

Matilda had to force her to get a gift .

××××××××

Grace hugged the older woman and felt her arms tightened around her frame.

"I missed you ,child." Mrs Young sniffed when she leaned back , looking at her daughter in law.

"I missed you too." And she did. .for Matilda was warm and fuzzy. She made her feel loved.

"You cried on the call. ." She couldn't help but ask.

"Oh yes! Silly me." She smiled ,"I just got . . emotional is the word."

Grace hugged her again and she melted in her embrace.

The next hour was spent chatting and laughing. The mansion came live with the two women.

And Grace discovered one thing right away..

Matilda loved her for Ethan.

And she loved Matilda for Ethan.

How hard it was to accept that  he held importance to her , enough that she was sitting with his mother and being a dutiful wife.

×××××××

And in the end Van had won and Hailey was allowed to visit her friend.

Packing her stuff and stashing it in the car , she went back to get the last bag and. .Van came out of his room. Noticing her picking up the giant bag but failing to lift it up.

"You're going already?" He said suddenly and she jumped , startled.

"Yeah." She shrugged and begin to wrestle with the bag.

"Let me." He walked towards her and with one swift motion lifted it up.

"Might well accompany you on these last few steps." He stated walking towards the car.

"The few steps can be life long too." She said it in a very casual manner but the meaning was deep.

He halted , surprised.

"What?"

"I mean. .you could have dropped me you know." She was swift.

"Yeah I would have but. .job calling."

"Whatever. " She waved her hand.

One day , you'll know. .one day, he thought.

×××××××××

When Van stood infront of the mansion , he couldn't help but admire her courage and bravery. Such a young girl and she was staying all by herself in the giant house. He had came all the way to meet her on his father's request so parking his car in the empty lot , he was now standing in surprise.

And the wooden doors opened up, revealing a delicate figure and probably the most beautiful woman he had seen in ages . . staring at him.

"Grace?" He confirmed.

"Yes . Come inside. It might rain in few seconds." She urged and true the sky was filled up with black clouds.

Nodding , he jogged up and she stepped to a side letting him in.

The inside was warm.

"Hey . .," Van turned at her , sticking his hand out. "I'm—,"

"Van, I know." She smiled , slipped her hand in his.

"Nice to see you , sister in law." He grinned and the smile on her face vanished.

"I'm. .Grace. Only Grace."

And his heart fell for he knew what his idiot of brother made her go through. Knowing Ethan, he didn't care just like Hailey. And now seeing Grace and chatting up with her. .he could clearly feel what an ass Ethan had been. .if he had met her only once. .

Grace had been warm to him and she was really happy to meet him. Van was surprised at how her name matched what she was. .ever graceful. Never letting him feel once he was meeting her the first time.

"Can I as you something?" She asked suddenly , as he sipped on coffee.

"Yeah sure."

"Why did you agree to meet me?"

"Because. .I know what loneliness is like and I came here to tell you , I'm available 24 hours if you need anything in this world." He said it from his heart.

She didn't say anything.

But her eyes shone with gratitude.

And when he reached home , he got a call from Mr Young.

"How did it go?"

"Are you kidding me?! Ethan rejected her?! She's the most beautiful woman I have ever seen!" Van rushed feeling sorry for her and pissed at Ethan.

He sighed heavily.

"Your brother won't meet her."

×××××××

Mr Young had had enough of Ethan not accepting his choice for him so he went for Van and Hailey.

Back from her mini vacation , The second Hailey heard the news from Astrid , her pride got in the way.

If he wanted her that bad then he had to confess! Had to! Or. . ., She had made up her mind and she didn't bother caring much when she marched into his room , hands on her hips and eyes cold.

Van who was laying on his bed sat up when the door burst open and seeing her like a raging bull. .he knew she heard the news.

"I know what's going on in this house and you better not take me like Dad took Ethan! No one can force me into doing something I don't want." She gritted her teeth.

Not letting him speak a word.

Raising her index finger in warning she spat ,"Tell Dad you don't want to be with me. Cook up any story you want. I don't care. ." She said with a finality that hit his heart like a sledge hammer but he didn't say a word while she kept threatening him left and right . . ruining everything he had build up for her in his heart.

"—and I like Todd. I don't see you in that way." She shot the arrow knowing well it would work like magic.

Turning around , she smirked to herself. .

Oh he was going to confess! Anytime soon! , she grinned.

××××××××