"I told you that I don't want to be aborted!" Grace spoke with emotion as Jackson dragged her to the car so they could quickly go to see the gynecologist. His face flushed, she threw away Jackson's grip on her wrist.
"Let's get a divorce then; I don't want to have a wife who is pregnant by another man." Jackson confirmed.
"How should I tell you that this child is your flesh and blood?"
"Stop acting, Grace. Jackson already knows everything; you no longer need to cover up your affair with Shane. I understand if you are jealous of me because Jackson is so close to me, but that doesn't mean you have to retaliate your jealousy by sleeping with another man. I'm sorry if my presence caused you and Jackson a misunderstanding. I will leave your lives if my presence only becomes a source of trouble." Claire spoke with great tenderness. She put on an expression full of guilt. In front of Jackson, she was always a gentle and understanding woman.
"It's good if you are self-aware. You know if Jackson is married, you should keep your distance from him. Unless you're a whore who likes other people's husbands." Grace commented sharply.
A hard slap landed on Grace's cheek suddenly and roughly. Everyone was shocked by the slap, not only Grace, who was shocked, but also Claire. No one expected that Jackson would hit his wife in the face.
Jackson looked really angry, his face flushed as he held back the emotions that were starting to rise.
"Claire is very kind and understanding, but you insulted her right in front of my eyes. I don't know what you would do if I weren't around. Claire is a good woman; I knew her before I met you. I'm giving you a warning so that you watch your words towards her." Jackson pointed roughly at Grace's face.
Grace fell silent with pain in her chest. It was her left cheek that received a slap from Jackson, but her heart was the one that was hurt. In her entire life, this was the first time she had been treated so harshly. Her pain became many times more painful because the man who hurt her was the man she had loved with all her heart for 10 years.
"Jack, you shouldn't have slapped her. Grace is pregnant; what if the child in her womb becomes problematic? I'm fine even though Grace hates me; usually she will slap me, push me, even throw me away roughly so that I stay away from you. But I'm fine; I understand why she behaved like that. She's just afraid of losing you." Claire said spoiledly, she hugged Jackson's arm with great tenderness.
Grace stared at Claire's embrace in Jackson's arms, her chest burning as she watched the two of them kiss. She was very angry, jealous, and also hated. However, all she could do was be patient because she didn't want to make Jackson hate her even more.
"Learn from Claire, Grace. She is very forgiving, understanding, and kind. She's not like you, who always throws tantrums and provokes anger."
Grace was silent. She wiped the corner of her lip, which was bleeding from the slap Jackson gave her.
"You'd better agree to an abortion if you really want to remain Jackson's wife, Grace. I say this because I care about you." Claire continued to put on a good face.
"I don't want an abortion; I will keep this child whatever happens." Grace said firmly. She no longer felt afraid of losing Jackson after the slap she received. The love that was once as big as a mountain is now slowly starting to decay. She could accept it when Jackson was cold and spoke harshly to her. However, she couldn't be patient when Jackson started to be violent. Moreover, Jackson knew that she was pregnant, but the man still slapped her. Domestic violence is something that cannot be forgiven, just like infidelity.
"Fine, if that's what you want. I will ask my lawyer to handle our divorce. Let Grandma know that you have cheated on me and are pregnant with another man's child; she will hate you more than I have hated you all this time." Jackson decided.
"Up to you. I agreed to divorce after this child was born, and the DNA test results said that you were not the father. If this child is proven to be yours, I want you to kneel and apologize to me." Grace said with great emphasis.
"Don't make things difficult for Jackson, Grace. You are only three months pregnant; he can't wait that long." Claire sounded objectionable.
"Why should he rush? Can you no longer bear to take my place as Mistress of the Malcoln family?" Grace looked at Claire sharply. She didn't know why Jackson let Claire continue to stick to him. They look so affectionate. If seen from other people's eyes, people would think that they were lovers.
"Stop spouting nonsense words. Claire is not like you, who likes to impose your will. You were the one who forced you to marry me; you even asked Grandma to force me so that I accept you as my wife. If it weren't for you, the position of mistress in this house would have been held by Claire long ago. I remind you in case you forget, the only person I've ever loved in my life is Claire."
Grace nodded and smiled. She smiled blandly; she felt sorry for herself for being stupid for the past 10 years. She knew from the start that Jackson liked other women, but she kept forcing her way in. She hoped that Jackson would melt and accept her love. In fact, three years of their marriage didn't change anything. For Jackson, Claire is the only love in his heart.
"Claire will be staying here because her apartment is being renovated. You can stay here until our divorce is finalized. As long as you are still my wife, I will continue to fulfill the luxuries of your life."
"You can't bring other women into our lives. We're not officially divorced yet, but you've brought your mistress to live with us." Grace disagrees.
"I don't need your approval; if you don't like it, you can leave this house."