?Chapter 1241:


    A soft knock at the door echoed as he emerged from the bathroom. Suspecting it was Gracie, he donned long-sleeved pajamas before opening the door.


    As anticipated, Gracie stood there, her eyes rimmed with red, her expression forlorn. “Do you need something?” Ethan asked tly.


    Gracie was in a sleeveless nightdress, and the faint scar on her wrist stood out starkly.


    “Ethan, I’m terrified they’lle back tonight,” Gracie said, her voice trembling. “Could you leave your door unlocked while you sleep? Just in case? If they return, I could run to you for safety.”


    Ethan hesitated, reluctance settling in his chest. “That is not—”


    He did not want to agree, but he also did not want to be pestered by Gracie about this.


    Gracie’s pleas grew more desperate. “I won’t bother you unless there is real danger. I promise.”


    Still, Ethan said, “There are ten guards patrolling tonight. No one is getting in.”


    “No, Ethan, I don’t feel safe,” Gracie countered, her voice breaking into sobs. “I’m begging you. The fear is suffocating. I would rather not live than endure this constant dread.”


    Exasperated, Ethan relented, saying, “Fine. I won’t lock the door.”


    Gracie returned to her room, leaving her door ajar as she slipped into bed. A sly, cold smile curled her lips.


    Her n was falling into ce wlessly. Even if she couldn’t have Ethan, she would not let Brenna have him, either. She tapped out a quick message to Rosie.


    “Your n is working like a charm. Thank you.”


    To cover her tracks, Gracie deleted the messages after receiving Rosie’s reply, ensuring no trace of their exchange remained.


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    At one in the morning, Gracie rose silently, her footsteps light as she crept to Ethan’s room, her heart racing with anticipation.


    Ethan’s room was expansive, with a cozy sitting area leading to the bedroom where he slept.


    Gracie slipped through the bedroom door, her eyes falling on Ethan’s serene, sleeping face.


    With careful precision, she slid onto the bed beside Ethan. She then pulled out her phone, angling it, and snapped a photo with a faint click.


    She looked at the photo with a thrill of triumph. In it, theyy side by side, facing the same direction, her head resting on Ethan’s arm, his other arm loosely draped over her waist.<fne7b8> Discover more novels at find?novel</fne7b8>


    The photo was wless, a staged portrait of intimacy.


    As she prepared to slip away, her phone was abruptly taken away from her grasp.


    Gracie’s body went rigid, a cold sweat breaking out across her skin. In the next instant, a sharp kick sent her tumbling off the bed.


    “Ethan…” Gracie’s voice trembled, caught in apromising moment. Her eyes locked onto Ethan’s, frantically searching for an excuse, but her mind drew a nk.


    “Is this why you insisted I leave the door unlocked?” Ethan shot up from the bed, his icy stare piercing through Gracie, his face dark with anger.


    “Ethan, I’m so sorry. I just love you so much. Please don’t be mad. I’ll delete the photo right now…”


    Gracie circled the bed, reaching for the phone in his hand.


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