Chapter 65: Grant Froze in Place

Grant froze in place. "You..."

Memories of that night at the villa flashed through Clara's mind. She instinctively took two steps back, her eyes filled with wariness. "Stop! Don't come any closer!"

"Clara..." A sharp pain pierced Grant's chest. "About that night—"

"Enough!" she cut him off. "Please leave. There's nothing left to say."

The man's eyes reddened, his body stiff. "I'm sorry... I lost control. Let's stop fighting, okay? I shouldn't have said those hurtful things..."

"I just... missed you too much..."

"Come home with me..."

"Home?" Clara let out a cold laugh. "To be your secret lover?"

Grant's voice was urgent. "If you agree, I'll break up with Paige immediately."

She shook her head. "...Impossible."

"Clara..." He took a step forward, but she had already turned and rushed into the bedroom, slamming the door shut.

Late into the night, the apartment finally fell silent.

She quietly pushed the door open and found Grant slumped against the wall, asleep.

Clara: "..."

Dawn broke.

Sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting faint streaks across the living room.

The figure on the couch stirred. Grant opened his eyes, a wave of dizziness washing over him.

He rubbed his temples, taking in the small but tidy rental apartment.

Clara stepped out of the bedroom.

Their eyes met, and Grant froze. "...Clara?"

She sat at the dining table. "Do you remember what happened last night?"

He frowned, thinking, then shook his head.

Of course...

The sober version of him would never say those things.

A bitter smile tugged at Clara's lips.

"You made a scene outside my door until midnight. The neighbors complained. Mr. Holloway, have some self-respect."

Grant's head throbbed, but the pain in his chest was worse.

His gaze swept over the shabby apartment before he suddenly sneered. "You think I want to be in this dump? Don’t expect me to come begging again!"

He grabbed his coat and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

At the alley entrance, he dialed Mason. "Let’s grab a drink."

* * *

"Bro, you're still hung over and already hitting the bottle again?"

Mason arrived at the bar to find Grant drowning his sorrows alone, the stench of last night’s alcohol still clinging to him.

Grant: "Shut up and drink."

Mason raised his hands in surrender. "Fine, fine."

The bar was empty in broad daylight, making the scene awkward.

"Where are the others?"

"Julian’s getting lectured at home. Connor’s been acting mysterious lately."

Grant didn’t press further, downing another shot of hard liquor.

From afternoon until late at night.

Mason called a car to haul the completely wasted Grant back to his villa.

After settling the man, who kept murmuring "Clara" in his drunken stupor, Mason sighed.

If you can’t let go, why keep torturing each other?