Chapter 9 #2
Daniel smiled a weak, sad smile. "My daughter has been telling me the exact same thing."
"She is a smart girl," the doctor smiled back.
Daniel looked out the small office window, watching the rain clouds gather over the city.
"I just need a little more time," Daniel whispered to the empty air.
**(Grace’s POV)**
By the time my dad arrived home, complete darkness had settled outside.
I was sitting at the kitchen island, reviewing my notes, but the second he walked through the door, my nursing instincts flared.
I immediately noticed how gray his skin looked. He was leaning slightly against the doorframe, his breathing shallow.
"Dad?" I stood up quickly, rushing over to him.
He forced a bright, cheerful smile. "You're home early, Gracie."
"You look exhausted," I said, narrowing my eyes, scanning him from head to toe. "Did you skip lunch again at the office?"
"I did not."
"You absolutely did."
He looked incredibly guilty.
I folded my arms over my chest, slipping into my fake bossy persona to hide the sudden, terrifying spike of anxiety in my chest. "I can always tell, Dad."
He laughed softly, taking off his coat. "I'll eat a sandwich now."
"No. Sit down."
I pointed to the dining table. I disappeared into the kitchen and returned five minutes later carrying a steaming bowl of homemade vegetable soup and a piece of grilled chicken. I set it in front of him.
"Eat," I said gently.
"Yes, ma'am," he smiled.
I sat across from him, watching him carefully until he took the first spoonful and some color finally returned to his face.
"Better?" I asked.
"Much."
"You promise me you will stop overworking yourself?" I pressed, leaning forward.
"I'll try."
I gave him my sharpest look. "Dad."
"Okay," he surrendered, holding up a hand. "I promise."
Only then did I smile. "Good."
We sat in comfortable silence as he finished his meal, but I couldn't shake the feeling that he was looking at me differently tonight. His eyes were heavy with a quiet, lingering sadness that made my stomach twist.
**(Third-Person POV)**
Later that night, Richard Reeves stood alone in his grand study.
Family photographs lined the dark wooden shelves. One specific picture caught his attention. Alexander at twelve years old, standing in his military academy uniform. Serious. Quiet. Already carrying the crushing weight of the world on his young shoulders.
Richard let out a heavy sigh, tracing the edge of the frame. "I have asked too much of you, my boy."
A soft, single knock interrupted his thoughts.
"Come in."
The heavy door opened, and Alexander stepped inside. He stood at perfect attention. "You requested my presence."
Richard looked at his son for a long, heavy moment. He thought of Eleanor’s failing heart. He thought of Daniel Zane’s desperate plea.
"There is something incredibly important we need to discuss, Alexander," Richard said quietly.
Alexander nodded once. "I am listening."
Richard hesitated. He opened his mouth, but the words caught in his throat. For perhaps the first time in his life, the former military commander was not sure how to deploy his strategy.
*Not tonight,* Richard decided silently. *He needs to be prepared.*
"I will brief you tomorrow," Richard amended smoothly.
Alexander’s gray eyes narrowed slightly at the deviation in protocol, but he did not question it. "Understood."
**(Grace’s POV)**
At almost the exact same moment across the city, my dad climbed the stairs of our home.
I was sitting at my desk, aggressively highlighting a textbook and quietly humming to myself.
*Knock, knock.*
"Come in!" I called out.
The door opened, and Dad stepped inside. He closed the door behind him and took the small chair opposite my desk. His expression was unusually serious.
My smile slowly faded. The yellow highlighter dropped from my hand. "Dad... what happened? Is your chest hurting?"
"No, no, I'm fine," he promised quickly, taking a slow breath. "There is just something I need to ask you."
I straightened in my chair, my heart beating a little faster. "You know you're scaring me, right?"
"I'm sorry," he chuckled softly, glancing around my messy room. "You have been studying hard."
"I have to. Finals won't pass themselves."
For a moment, neither of us spoke. The silence wasn't awkward; it was just incredibly heavy.
Finally, Dad looked at me, his eyes gentle. "How have you been... since Saturday?"
I blinked, completely caught off guard. "The date?"
He nodded.
"It was..." I searched for the right word, trying to ignore the sudden flutter in my stomach. "...better than I expected."
Dad smiled knowingly. "I'm glad."
"But don't get excited!" I added quickly, feeling my cheeks flush. "It was just dinner. We are from entirely different worlds. I probably won't even see him again."
Dad simply nodded, though a small, secret smile touched his lips. "I understand."
I tilted my head, thoroughly confused. "Why are you asking?"
He looked down at his hands, his fingers twisting together. "Because there may be... another favor I would like to ask of you."
I laughed softly, leaning back. "Dad, every time you say the word 'favor,' my blood pressure rises."
That earned a genuine laugh from him. "I'll remember that."
He stood up, walking over to squeeze my shoulder. "But I won't ask you tonight. You have a lot of studying to do
Relief washed over me. "Thank goodness. Deal."
He kissed the top of my head, just like he had done since I was a little girl. "Goodnight, sweetheart."
"Goodnight, Dad."
He switched off the bedroom overhead light, leaving me in the soft glow of my desk lamp.
The moment the door clicked shut, I stared at the wood for a long time.
Something was definitely bothering my father. I just couldn't figure out what.
Neither Alexander nor I knew that, in just a few short days, both of our perfectly structured lives were going to be completely turned upside down by a single, terrifying question neither of us saw coming.
What do you think they're going to say when they finally hear the proposal?! ????
If you were Grace or Alexander... would you even listen, or would you say a big, fat "NO" immediately? ??
Vote and comment, Lovelies! ?