I CAME BACK TO MAKE YOU PAY

CHASE’S POV

The bartender slid two glasses of whiskey toward us. Grace wasted no time, downing hers in one go.

She had taken me up on my offer to drink, and we ended up in a bar not far from my place—quite a distance from where she’d almost ended her life.

“Another!” she called out.

“Whoa, slow down, Grace. Maybe take a break before the next one.”

She smirked and shook her head. “You invited me for drinks, so I’m making the most of it. No time to waste. I’m going to drink as much whiskey as I can.”

Once again, she emptied the glass the bartender had just poured. I signaled him to stop refilling it when she set it back down.

“That’s enough. Don’t overdo it.”

She glared at me. “What, you broke? Can’t pay for my drinks?”

“This isn’t about money. Aren’t you worried about getting drunk around a stranger? You said you have no place to go, no one left. What if I had bad intentions toward you?”

Her eyes went wide. She pointed at me, covering her mouth. Then, without warning, she jumped down from her stool and tried to leave. I caught her arm.

“Let go of me! You’re a psycho! Don’t kill me—I mean, I want to die, but not by being murdered!” she shouted.

She struggled so much that I eventually let go. Grace ran for the door.

I left some cash for the bartender and followed her outside.

She stood there, looking unsure whether to turn right or left. I watched her closely—I wasn’t going to let her just walk away, but I also wanted to see what she’d do.

Then, a young man from across the street shouted at her.

“Hey, pretty thing! Come here! Let’s have some fun! That body of yours looks ready to be touched!”

I barked back, “Leave her alone!”

Grace turned to me as I walked over and slipped my arm around her.

“What’s it to you, idiot? If you want, we can share!” the man jeered, laughing.

“I’m not in the mood for a fight, but keep your filthy mouth shut. Don’t touch my wife—or you’ll regret it and end up in jail!”

I led Grace away, smiling at her, while she just stared at me in confusion.

Near my car, she shoved me. “Let go of me! I don’t want to be with some crazy guy!”

“Then who do you want to be with? That creep back there?”

“I can take care of myself! Thanks for saving me and for the whiskey, but I’ll repay you some other time!” she said firmly.

I grabbed her hand again and this time made her get into the car.

“Hey! You’re being rude! Don’t force me or I’ll scream!”

I ignored that. I knew Grace still wanted someone to protect her—I could see it in the way her body softened when I urged her into the car. She was just too proud to admit it.

When I started the engine, she quieted down and put on her seatbelt.

“I’m not letting you be alone, Grace. At least not until you’ve found your way back—when you’re ready to truly stand on your own, I’ll let you go.”

“Why are you being so nice? You don’t even know me, and that’s exactly what makes me suspicious! What do you really want?”

I turned down the radio volume, delaying my answer. My mind drifted to the memory of a woman I had longed for over the years.

The truth was, Grace reminded me so much of my late sister—the one I’d failed to protect. And oddly enough, her scent was almost identical to my late wife’s.

It was as if she had appeared to stir up all my buried memories.

“Answer me! Stop zoning out!”

I met her gaze. She looked impatient.

“I’m just a widower, Grace. Alone, like you. I know how brutal life can be—especially when you’ve just lost the people who mattered most. How could I possibly leave you alone?”

“Wait—you’re a widower?! Oh my God, what happened to your wife?”

Her tone softened, and it was oddly endearing. She really was a good person; I could see it in her manner and in her eyes.

“My wife died in a car accident. She was pregnant with our child. That was five years ago.”

“Ah, I’m sorry for your loss.”

“It’s fine, I’ve made peace with all of that sadness. You’re not alone—our problems may be different, but we’re both fighting on our own.”

Grace let out a long sigh. “I don’t know… Even though you helped me, I’m not sure what will happen next. I can’t just keep being a burden to you, can I?”

“Of course not. I know you’re capable. For now, what matters is that we rest tonight and clear your mind.”

“Thanks, but I don’t have money for a hotel. Are you going to pay for it?” Grace asked innocently.

I chuckled at her question. I didn’t answer, just focused on driving. Since my house was already close, that would be answer enough for her.

“Wait—where are you taking me?! Whose house is this?!”

I signaled the guard to open the gate by flashing the headlights three times.

Grace still looked at me with a questioning gaze, as if she couldn’t guess that this was my home.

I parked the car in front of the terrace and turned to her. “Welcome to my home, Grace! Treat it like your own—don’t be shy. Come on, get out!”

Grace looked stunned as she stared at the yard and the mansion. She seemed impressed—perhaps she thought only the mansions in her neighborhood were the grandest in the city.

“You’re amazing! Wow! What do you do for a living?” she asked.

“Uh, do you know the MCorrs brand?”

Grace’s eyes widened and she nodded quickly. “Yes, of course! MCorrs is one of the suppliers for my father’s company, and my ex-fiancé works as a legal officer for one of MCorrs’ subsidiaries. You work with them? Oh my god, what a small world!”

“More accurately, I own MCorrs.”

“What?!” Grace pointed at me, then her expression turned panicked. “Shut up! You’re the MCorrs owner who’s famous for being so private?!”

“I didn’t even know I had that reputation. It doesn’t matter—don’t see me for my status, I’m just a regular person too.”

Grace chuckled, rubbing her forehead lightly. “This world is ridiculous. I can’t even imagine my family’s reaction if they found out I was saved by the owner of the company they’ve always hoped would invest in ours.”

“Wait—you haven’t told me your family’s name. Who’s your father, and who’s your fiancé?”

“Benjamin Hart is my father, and Hunter Cole is my fiancé. My family’s company is called Hart Brothers.”

I immediately pulled out my phone and checked the guest list for the charity event happening tomorrow.

Sure enough, both names she mentioned were on the list.

“You know, I have something that will really surprise them.”

Grace frowned. “What is it?”

“I don’t usually like events like this, but… would you come to the charity event tomorrow? They’ll be there too.”

A sly grin spread across Grace’s face. She nodded firmly. “That’s a brilliant idea!”