Grace's POV
I didn't sleep.
How could I, when my phone kept buzzing with messages from numbers I didn't recognize?
One week, Dr. Ashford.
Tick tock.
Your creditors are very interested in our offer.
At 3 AM, I finally turned my phone off and sat in the dark, trying not to think about Ethan sleeping in his car somewhere. Trying not to remember the look on his face when I told him to leave.
Trying not to admit I'd made a terrible mistake.
By dawn, I was exhausted and furious—at Whitmore Capital, at Ethan, at myself for caring.
I went to the sanctuary early, needing work to drown out my thoughts.
And found Ethan already there.
In Thor's enclosure.
My heart stopped. He came back.
Then reality crashed in: he was fulfilling his community service hours. Of course he came back. He had to.
I watched from a distance as Thor—vicious, untouchable Thor—ate breakfast from Ethan's hand. Let Ethan check his injured leg. Followed Ethan around the enclosure like a puppy.
Something twisted in my chest.
Thor had been with me for six months. Six months of him attacking everyone, snarling at shadows, refusing to trust.
Ethan had been here less than two weeks, and Thor was transformed.
I hated how much that hurt. How much it proved Ethan was better at this than me. Better at understanding broken things.
Better at making them trust again.
Jenny appeared at my elbow. He's been here since five-thirty. Didn't even come to the office first. Just went straight to Thor.
He's doing his required hours, I said flatly.
Grace, about last night
I don't want to talk about it.
But
Jenny. Please.
She squeezed my arm and walked away, leaving me alone to watch the man I'd kicked out heal the dog I couldn't reach.
For three days, we existed in the same space without speaking.
Ethan showed up. Did his work. Spent extra time with Thor. Left the second his hours were done.
No coffee in my kitchen. No dinners at my table. No charged moments in narrow hallways.
Just professional distance and the ghost of what we'd almost had.
Thor improved daily. By day two, he was playing—actually playing. I watched from the clinic window as Ethan threw a ball and Thor chased it, tail wagging, making happy sounds I'd never heard from him.
I had to look away before Ethan saw me crying.
On day three, Ethan brought Thor to the clinic for his checkup. Our first real interaction since the fight.
He's ready, Ethan said, not meeting my eyes. If you have time.
Of course.
I examined Thor carefully. He was calm, patient, trusting. His weight was up. His coat was shinier. Even his injured leg seemed stronger.
This is incredible, I said, running my hands over Thor's muscular frame. He's gained almost ten pounds. His anxiety markers are down. His leg is healing properly. I looked up at Ethan. You're a miracle worker.
I'm not. Ethan's voice was quiet. I just gave him time. That's all he needed—someone who wouldn't give up on him.
The words hit like a punch.
Someone who wouldn't give up on him.
Unlike what I'd done to Ethan. Given up the second things got complicated.
Ethan
We're done here, right? He stood. I should get back to work.
He left before I could respond. Thor followed him to the door, then looked back at me with those intelligent eyes.
Like he was disappointed in me too.
That night, I worked late. Paperwork, bills, anything to avoid going home to my empty cottage.
Around ten, I looked up from the desk and saw them through the window.
Ethan and Thor in the enclosure. Ethan sitting on the ground, Thor's head in his lap. Both peaceful. Both whole.
The image cracked something open inside me.
That's what I wanted. That peace. That trust. That moment of connection where two broken things found wholeness together.
And I'd thrown it away because I was scared.
I grabbed my coat and walked outside before I could change my mind.
Ethan looked up when I approached. Surprise flickered across his face.
Grace? What
I'm sorry. The words rushed out. I'm sorry I kicked you out. I'm sorry I didn't let you explain. I'm sorry I assumed the worst instead of trusting you.
Ethan stood slowly. Thor watched us both.
You had every right to be angry, Ethan said carefully.
Maybe. But I didn't have the right to shut you out completely. I stepped closer. You were right. I am scared. Terrified, actually. Of trusting someone and getting destroyed again. So the second I had an excuse, I used it. Pushed you away before you could leave first.
Grace
Let me finish. My voice shook. You came here because of James. I get that now. But you stayed because of the sanctuary. Because of the animals. Because of... I couldn't say it. Couldn't be that vulnerable.
Because of you, Ethan finished quietly. I stayed because of you.
My breath caught.
James is why I came to Maple Ridge, Ethan continued. I wanted to see what he was doing, maybe find a way to stop him. But then I met you, and suddenly revenge didn't matter as much as... He ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. As making sure you were okay. Making sure this place survived. Making sure you knew someone was showing up for you.
Tears burned my eyes. Why didn't you tell me about James?
Because I was terrified you'd look at me exactly the way you did that night. Like I was using you. Like everything between us was fake. His voice cracked. And Grace, nothing about this was fake. Not the work. Not the conversations. Not the way I feel about you.
How do you feel about me?
He stepped closer. Close enough that I had to tilt my head back to see his face.
Terrified, he whispered. Hopeful. Like maybe I could be more than my worst moment. Like maybe broken things can still fit together if they're broken in the right places.
I couldn't breathe. Couldn't think. Could only feel my heart hammering and his words echoing and the impossible hope rising in my chest.
I want to trust you, I whispered. I want to try.
Then try. His hand came up, hesitated near my face. Please, Grace. Let me prove I'm not going anywhere.
I leaned into his touch. His palm cupped my cheek, warm and solid and real.
Okay, I breathed. Okay.
He smiled—a real smile that transformed his entire face.
Then his phone rang.
We both froze. Ethan pulled it out, looked at the screen, and went white.
What? I asked.
It's Lily. His voice shook. My sister. She never calls this late unless—
He answered. Lily? What's wrong?
I watched his face change. Watched color drain from his skin. Watched his hand start trembling.
When? he asked. How did he— Okay. Okay. Stay there. Lock the doors. I'm coming. He hung up and looked at me with pure terror in his eyes.
Ethan, what happened?
James found her. His voice was hollow. He showed up at Lily's facility tonight. Told her he knew where I was. Told her he was going to destroy everything I cared about. Ethan's hands clenched into fists. And then he said your name, Grace. He knows about you. He knows I care about you. And now you're a target.
Ice flooded my veins. What does that mean?
It means James doesn't just want the land anymore. Ethan's eyes met mine, filled with fear and fury. He wants revenge. And he's going to use you to get it.