Falling For My Contractual Wife (Brian and Grace)

Brian furrowed his brow slightly, his gaze fixed on the top of her head as he made his way inside.

Three seats separated them.

Grace kept her head tilted toward Brian the entire time, propping it up with her hand, so he couldn't even see her profile.

Brian glanced at his hand, and his mind flashed back to what happened just now.

As the movie officially started, he gathered his thoughts and focused on the screen.

The movie had been meticulously crafted under Grace's supervision, with stringent requirements for the actors' performances and the plot, resulting in an overall impressive viewing experience. The comic was based on many real-life events from Grace's life, and certain scenes brought tears to her eyes.

By the end, tears streamed down her face, and she intermittently sniffed as the tears flowed.

Brian glanced sideways and then surveyed the other moviegoers, who were all engrossed in the film. Yet, the only person visibly moved to tears was the woman in the hat.

As the movie concluded and the credits rolled, the audience dispersed.

Grace and Brian remained, the only two occupants left in the theater.

In the final moments of the credits, Grace's pen name and Brian's name slowly ascended from the bottom of the screen side by side.

Grace's tears instantly ran down her cheeks.

Brian stood up and exited the theater. Grace noticed him approaching, lowered her head, moved her legs aside, and let him pass. However, Brian paused before leaving, pulled out a tissue, and handed it to her.

"Thank you," Grace whispered as she accepted it.

Brian then left.

She sat alone in the theater for a long time before getting up to leave.

As she descended to the ground floor of the mall, she noticed Brian standing by the entrance.

Grace hesitated and glanced out of the door, realizing it was pouring rain outside.

She hadn't brought an umbrella.

The sudden downpour had caught many unprepared, with a crowd huddled by the doorway, some with umbrellas hesitant to venture out.

They all discreetly looked at Brian, snapping photos with their phones from time to time.

Grace walked up and positioned herself farthest away from him.

The rain was so heavy that even if she took a taxi, she would have to pass through the plaza in front of the mall. By the time she made it to the road, she would likely be soaked to the skin. Grace pondered her options and decided to wait there until the rain stopped.

Brian stood quietly. Just then, a bold girl approached and shyly asked, "Hey handsome, can I add you on WhatsApp?"

Brian didn't even look at her and replied in a low voice, "I'm engaged."

The girl persisted, "You're engaged, not married! So I still have a chance, right?"

Brian frowned, displeasure evident on his face.

Grace could hear Brian's voice.

Seeing that Brian's face turned cold, the girl and her friends quickly left with embarrassment.

Suddenly, someone inside the mall yelled, "Catch the thief! Catch the thief!"

Grace looked back and saw a masked man rushing out of the mall toward the exit.

The doorway was crowded, and with some pushing and shoving, Grace stumbled a few steps and fell heavily into the rain-soaked ground.

The thief swiftly escaped into the street. Grace frowned and attempted to rise when an umbrella appeared over her head, followed by Brian crouching down beside her.

He took hold of her arm, asking, "Are you okay?"

Grace froze, their eyes meeting briefly, before she quickly got up and hurried away, disappearing into the rain.

Brian watched her as she stood on the side of the road, trying to hail a taxi, her hair now drenched.

Camren, standing next to him, asked, "Mr. Francis, shall I go give the umbrella to that lady?" Brian nodded slightly.

Just as Camren approached Grace with the umbrella, a taxi pulled up, and she hurriedly got in.

Camren turned back to Brian, saying with a smile, "Mr. Francis, the young lady has left, so I'll head back first. Take care on your way."

Brian watched the taxi drive away, his brow furrowing slightly. He put his hand on his chest. This woman gave him a strange feeling.

He briskly made his way to his car and unconsciously wanted to catch up with her just as his cell phone began to ring.

Brian's eyes darkened upon seeing the name flashing on the screen.

Answering the call, he heard Louise's delicate voice from the other end. "Brian, are you going to bed?"

Brian's voice came out hoarse. "No, I'm now outside."

"Brian, it's raining heavily today, and I'm feeling a bit scared. Could you come over and keep me company?"

Brian hesitated briefly before replying, "Okay."

By the time he arrived, the rain had ceased. Louise awaited him at the door. He parked his car nearby. She hurried over and linked her arm with his. Brian gently stroked her head, asking, "What's made you so happy?"

Louise nestled into his embrace endearingly. "I'll tell you later."

When they walked inside and went upstairs, Louise guided him to a chair, seating herself on his lap and wrapping her arms around his neck. "Brian, your mom has set a wedding date for us. It's at the end of next month," Louise said happily.

Brian's lips pressed together, his dark eyes betraying a swirling mix of emotions.

Unable to decipher his mood, Louise locked her gaze with his, asking, "Brian, what's wrong? Don't you want to get married? If you don't want to..." Brian hastily cut her off, saying, "No, I was just pondering which wedding dress brand to go for."

Louise nestled closer in his arms and said, "Don't worry, just leave that to me."

Brian put his arm around her shoulder and enveloped her in a hug, yet deep down, he sensed an emptiness as if something was missing.

Perhaps it was because he had

always known that he would marry Louise, so when they were really about to get married, he no longer felt that excited.

Louise proposed he spend the night at the Adkins family, but Brian declined, citing the lack of a change of clothes.

After ensuring Louise had drifted off to sleep, he departed quietly.

*****

Carson was engrossed in a game in the living room when Grace arrived home, Upon hearing the commotion at the door, he glanced back and froze in astonishment.

Setting aside his mouse, Carson approached her. "What's happened?" he asked.

Grace stood cold and rigid, her teeth chattering. Carson quickly handed her a towel.

Silent and pale-faced, Grace retreated to her room.

The following day.

Grace was changing Austin's diaper when Carson abruptly emerged from his room, his expression grave. "Mom just called. Dad was struck in the leg by a piece of rebar at the construction site. He's at Central Hospital. I'm heading there now."

With his jacket in hand, he turned towards the door.

Grace's gaze hardened, and she caught his arm. "Wait, I'll go with you!"

After swiftly changing Austin's diaper and carrying Austin on her back, Grace left the house with Carson.

In the hallway, Daisy was sobbing uncontrollably.