Chapter 5 - Desperation at the Gates
Three weeks passed.
The news of Grace’s divorce and her true identity as the youngest heir to the Montgomery dynasty hit the business world like a hurricane. Ethan Walker became a pariah overnight.
Nobody in Charlotte would take his phone calls. His old business associates abruptly canceled meetings. The luxury car dealership repossessed his Porsche, and his bank accounts remained locked under federal audit for tax irregularities discovered during the takeover.
Lauren had abandoned him completely within forty-eight hours, fleeing to Atlanta after her father’s law firm collapsed into bankruptcy.
Ethan was living in a cramped one-bedroom rental apartment on the outskirts of the city, eating takeout and staring at tabloid headlines featuring Grace.
FORBES EXCLUSIVE: GRACE MONTGOMERY STEPS OUT OF THE SHADOWS TO LEAD CHARLOTTE’S LARGEST REAL ESTATE EMPIRE.
THE HEIR WHO BUILT AN EMPIRE BEHIND THE SCENES.
The photos showed Grace looking breathtaking—wearing a sleek navy suit, her hair styled perfectly, her pregnancy bump subtly visible as she smiled alongside her three powerful brothers at a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Southgate District.
She looked radiant. Strong. Untouchable.
Jealousy and desperation clawed at Ethan’s chest like a wild beast.
"That should be me," Ethan muttered to himself, his hands shaking as he held a glass of cheap whiskey. "That’s my baby she’s carrying! That’s my project!"
Unable to take it anymore, Ethan put on his last clean suit, rented a base-model sedan using cash he had pawned from his gold watch, and drove directly to the gates of the Montgomery Estate.
The high iron gates were closed, guarded by two armed private security personnel in dark uniforms.
Ethan pulled up, rolled down his window, and stepped out of the car. "I'm Ethan Walker! I'm Grace’s husband! Let me in!"
The lead guard walked over slowly, his hand resting on his belt holster. "Mr. Walker, you are currently violating a court-issued temporary restraining order. You need to turn your vehicle around and leave immediately."
"I don't care about the order!" Ethan screamed, banging his fist against the iron gate. "Grace! Grace! It's Ethan! Please, just talk to me for five minutes! I made a mistake! I love you!"
High up on the hill, overlooking the front gates, a black Maybach was parked.
Inside sat Grace and Alexander.
Grace looked down through the tinted window at the man screaming at the gate. He looked small, ragged, and pathetically desperate—a complete contrast to the arrogant man who had slapped her three weeks ago.
"Do you want me to have the police arrest him?" Alexander asked gently.
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Grace watched Ethan for a long moment. She didn't feel anger anymore. She didn't feel hatred. She felt nothing at all—only a profound, peaceful sense of freedom.
"No," Grace said quietly. "Let him scream. It doesn't reach me anymore."
