Grace wiped her eyes with the back of her hand when she entered back into her space.

And Hailey who was busy laughing with Todd on phone , instantly sat up.

"Talk to you later." She cut the call before Todd could protest.

Grace didn't say a word to her and went straight to the bathroom in need of a shower and crying her heart out.

Hailey waited for her to come out and when she did . .it was obvious she had cried in their. Her beautiful eyes were red rimmed tugging at her heart.

She got out of the bed.

"What happened?! Did he do something?"

"You shouldn't have lied." Grace tried to keep a check on her temper. The people of this house were testing her.

"What. . I thought you would enjoy—,"

Grace smiled. "I don't have that kind of relation with your brother."

Grace had her back to the door when it opened suddenly , Ethan stood on the threshold.

"Hails, I need coffee. A strong one please." He said rubbing his temples.

Hailey took a look at him and then her.

"What happened. .you guys?"

"Nothing did." Grace stressed . "Make him leave right now."

The way she said those words like she commanded his existence , he  nearly lost it.

"Grace!"

His deep voice held a warning , a threat for her to shut up.

And she turned at him , her eyes on fire.

"Yelling won't hide what you're!"

And he lost it! Ethan came on to her like a storm and grabbed her by the arms , his fingers dug into her flesh while a horrified Hailey watched.

"What did I do?! What the fuck did I do to you??!!!" He snapped on her face.

For a second his eyes scared her but then she pushed back at his chest , forcing him to step back.

"I hate you , Ethan Young. I really hate you."

Ethan felt trapped in a ring of fire.

"And guess what? I don't fucking care. Hey Hails? Get her a cup too. My hate keeps her at night. Might help her." He smirked darkly when he turned in his heels and left. . . leaving smoke behind.

××××××××

"I can't do that." Hailey whispered on the phone.

"Why ever not? Ask Van to help you out." Todd insisted.

This whole thing was going way too far. .so far she couldn't control it and it was hard to juggle two sides. Her heart had always resisted this but. . feeding her pride and ego she had went ahead and declared her "love" for Todd in front of Van. .out of spite and jealousy.

The girl living in his diary still hadn't escape her thoughts.

She haunted her at nights.

××××××××

Grace had gotten a book out of the Young private library , when she stepped out . .he was coming her way.

Right away.

"You gonna run again?"

He asked it with a smile , his blue eyes shone as he analyzed her state. Wearing a deep blue shirt that matched his eyes, he definitely had the power to make her stare at him. The sun rays were hitting his back and it looked like he was in front of the sun. .some breath taking Olympic God he was and she had to accept it in her heart.

But then his full lips tugged in a smile knowing well he had her stupefied and it slammed her right back to reality.

"I would appreciate it if you stop coming in my way." Her frigid voice wiped off the look on his face.

"If I were you , I would watch my mouth and the words spitting out of it." Her words really turned his entire mood dark in seconds. Her hatred filled eyes had tested his patience ....he had never been challenged like that. .insulted in every way possible...in utter madness he advanced towards her and she backed up , horrified.

Her back hit the door and he too came back to his senses , clenching his fists , he could see the fear on her face . .

Why was he always losing with her?

Why. .

"If I could I would have made you pay for all the shit you make me go through!" He lashed at her ," I want to know why. .why the fuck you keep doing this to me?" He asked , taking a step towards her . .a few inches between them. "What's so wrong with me that you can't see us together?"

Grace could only stare at him.

"How do you know Hailey? I have never heard of you ever and now all of sudden. .you're the center of my family?" His eyes and voice held deep doubts.

Doubts that killed her confidence.

"W-what. .i-she's my friend and—,"

"I want to meet your parents." He stated ,"I want to know everything about you." His blue eyes held the utmost sincerity.

"And. .your wife?" She reminded him.

Ethan's eyes turned into slits.

"Why are you so. . obsessed with her? She can go to hell for all I care."

Her eyes burned at his crass response.

"I'm not a home wrecker." Her acidic tone burned him.

Ethan pushed his hand in his hair , frustrated at her not budging even an inch for him.

"I want to marry you. I want to be with you. You're the woman I can see myself getting old with." He said it straight from his heart , his eyes begging her to understand him.

"And her?" She asked again , this time in a soft manner.

Ethan sighed. "I won't lie to you. I can't leave her because. .I can't. I have to handle her , she's my responsibility."

His honest answer gave her a breath of life but she didn't show.

"Why not meet her ? Why not bring her here? To her rightful place?" She asked the question that had killed her every single night and she had come up with thousand of answers in her head.

"I...I have thought about it. Plenty of times and ...I don't know when but it's something that's bound to happen."

Grace could feel her heart bloom and Ethan could see a slight change in her. .which was odd. He didn't know what it was but it was something. .

"Why hound me then? You'll have her...soon enough." She smiled , crossing her arms.

Ethan bit his bottom lip. "The thing is...I love you. I can't lose you in any way. I want to make a way for us."

×××××××