Chapter 276

Grace had a lingering sense that something about Ed was amiss. His demeanor had shifted, and he had grown strangely fixated—almost to the point of obsession. Also, "that guy" he had mentioned—who was that supposed to be? "I'm not playing you." She reached out and took his hand, guiding him to sit beside her on the edge of the bed. "And I don't hate you either, so don't let your thoughts get carried away." "What about the shells?" Ed pressed. There was something relentless in how he clung to her words, even the ones spoken in passing, as if each word held the weight of a vow. Grace began to wonder if she had really gone too far this time. "I forgot," she said. "I'll make it up to you next time." Ed fell silent. His lips trembled for a moment before he finally said, "You're just making a fool of me, Grace." She was beginning to grow weary of it all. Needless to say, she wasn't someone who knew how to coax or comfort another. The atmosphere between them instantly became tense.