CHAPTER 9: THE TRUTH
A week later, Grace was invited to Dominic's home for dinner.
His mother, Margaret, was there, along with several of his closest associates.
Grace felt out of place, but everyone treated her with kindness and respect.
"Grace," Margaret said, taking her hand. "I never properly thanked you for what you did."
"You don't have to thank me."
"I do. You stood up for me when no one else would. You risked everything."
"It was the right thing to do."
Margaret smiled. "You remind me of my daughter."
Grace's heart tightened. "Dominic told me about her."
"Did he tell you what happened?"
"Not all of it."
Margaret's expression grew serious.
"She was killed by a rival family. They wanted to hurt Dominic. So they took the person he loved most."
Grace felt a chill run down her spine.
"That's horrible."
"Yes. And since then, Dominic has been afraid to let anyone get close to him."
"I understand."
"He's afraid of losing someone he cares about again. But I think he's starting to realize that being alone is worse than the risk."
Grace looked over at Dominic, who was talking with his associates across the room.
"He's a good man," she said.
"He is. He just doesn't know how to show it."
Margaret squeezed her hand.
"You could be good for him," she said.
Grace blushed. "I don't know about that."
"I do. Just give him a chance."
Grace looked back at Dominic.
And she realized that she already had.
May you like
She had given him a chance.
And she was starting to fall for him.
