Grace's POV
I didn't sleep after the photo.
How could I, knowing someone had been watching? Taking pictures? Following me?
Ethan stayed up too. I could hear him pacing in the spare room, making phone calls in low, urgent voices.
Around 3 AM, he knocked softly on my door.
Grace? You awake?
Yeah.
He opened the door. Stayed in the doorway like he was afraid to come closer. I called a friend. Former FBI. He's going to look into who's tracking us. And I'm installing security cameras tomorrow.
Ethan, I can't afford
I'm not asking you to pay. His voice was firm. This is my fault. James is after you because of me. So I'm fixing it.
It's not your fault that he's a psychopath.
Isn't it? His laugh was bitter. I punched him, Grace. Publicly humiliated him. And now he's coming after everyone I care about. That's on me.
Everyone I care about.
The words hung in the air between us.
Get some sleep, he said finally. I'll be right here if you need anything.
He closed the door, and I lay in the dark, replaying those words.
Everyone I care about.
Did that include me?
By morning, I was exhausted and jittery. Ethan made coffee, strong and perfect, but I could barely drink it.
I have to go to Maya's, I said. Get supplies. Try to act normal.
I'm coming with you.
Ethan
Someone's watching you, Grace. I'm not letting you go anywhere alone.
Part of me wanted to argue. The other part, the scared part, was grateful.
We drove to Maya's coffee shop in tense silence. Ethan parked where he could see the entrance.
I'll be right here, he said. Anything feels wrong, you text me. Immediately.
You're being paranoid.
Someone took our photo last night. I'm being appropriately cautious.
I couldn't argue with that.
Inside the coffee shop, Maya took one look at my face and grabbed my arm.
Back room. Now.
She dragged me to her small office, closed the door, and crossed her arms.
Spill. Everything. And don't you dare tell me you're fine because you look like you haven't slept in a week.
So I told her. All of it. The photo. The threats. James Whitmore. Ethan's past.
Maya's eyes got wider with every sentence.
Holy shit, she breathed when I finished. Grace, this is serious. You need to call the police.
And tell them what? Someone took a photo? That's not illegal.
The threatening message is.
From an unknown number with no actual threat. Just implications. I rubbed my face. Ethan says James is too smart to do anything directly actionable.
Ethan. Maya's expression shifted. The hot community service guy who's now living in your cottage and protecting you from his Wall Street nemesis. That Ethan.
It's not—it's complicated.
I bet it is. Maya leaned against her desk. Grace, you haven't let anyone past your front door in eighteen months. You barely let ME in your house. But suddenly Mr. Tall-Dark-and-Dangerous is sleeping under your roof?
It's not like that.
Then what's it like?
I opened my mouth. Closed it. Had no idea what to say.
Oh my God, Maya said slowly. You're falling for him.
I'm not
Grace. I've known you for a year and a half. I've watched you shut down every man who looked at you twice. But this guy? You're looking back.
My stomach flipped. Maya
Have you seen the way he looks at you? She wasn't teasing anymore. Her voice was gentle. Concerned. That man watches you like you hung the moon. Like you're the only thing keeping him anchored to the planet.
You're exaggerating.
Am I? Because yesterday I saw you two through the window. You were checking on Honey's puppies. He was standing behind you, and Grace—the way he was looking at you. She shook her head. That's not friendly. That's not temporary. That's a man who's completely gone.
Heat crawled up my neck. Even if that's true—which I'm not saying it is—it doesn't matter. He's leaving when his community service is done. This is temporary.
Is it? Or are you just telling yourself that because you're terrified?
The question hit too close.
I was burned, Maya. Badly. I can't go through that again.
I know. And I'm not saying throw caution to the wind and marry the guy tomorrow. Maya's voice softened. But Grace, you're not just protecting yourself. You're suffocating. You've built walls so high you can't even see out anymore.
The walls keep me safe.
Do they? Or do they just keep you alone?
I couldn't answer that.
Maya sighed and pulled me into a hug. I'm not saying go for it. I'm saying be careful. Be smart. But also—don't let fear of getting hurt again stop you from living.
What if he leaves?
What if he doesn't?
I left the coffee shop with more questions than answers. Ethan was waiting in the car, alert and tense.
Everything okay? he asked.
Maya thinks I'm falling for you.
The words came out before I could stop them.
Ethan went very still. What?
Nothing. Forget it. I'm exhausted and not thinking straight.
Grace—
Can we just go home? Please?
The drive back was silent. Charged. Every time I glanced at him, he was gripping the steering wheel too tight. Jaw clenched.
At the sanctuary, I climbed out quickly. I need to check on the animals.
I'll come
I need space, Ethan. Please.
He nodded, looking like I'd slapped him.
I walked to Thor's enclosure, needing distance. Needing to think.
And found Ethan there ten minutes later.
Because of course he followed. Of course he couldn't give me space when he thought I was in danger.
Grace, about what you said
Forget it.
I can't forget it. He moved closer. Maya's right. I do look at you. I can't help it.
My heart hammered. Ethan
You want to know what I see when I look at you? His voice was rough. Raw. I see someone who shows up every day even when it's hard. Who fights for things that can't fight for themselves. Who's brilliant and stubborn and so damn brave it humbles me.
I couldn't breathe.
I see someone I don't deserve, he continued. Someone I'm terrified of losing. Someone who makes me want to be better than my worst moment.
Stop, I whispered.
Why?
Because I can't, I can't do this. Can't trust this. Can't believe
That I'm not going anywhere? He stepped closer. Close enough to touch. Grace, I know you're scared. I'm scared too. But I'm not Marcus. I'm not going to abandon you when things get hard.
You don't know that.
Yes, I do. His hand came up, cupped my face. Because leaving you would be the hardest thing I've ever done. And I've done some pretty hard things.
I leaned into his touch, helpless against the pull of him.
I'm falling for you, he whispered. I've been falling since the day you offered me coffee in your freezing cottage. And Grace, I think you're falling too.
I'm terrified, I admitted.
Me too.
What do we do?
We try. We take it one day at a time. We
His phone rang. He pulled it out, looked at the screen, and went white.
It's my FBI friend. He answered. Yeah? What did you Shit. Are you sure? His eyes met mine, filled with fear. How long do we have?
My stomach dropped.
Okay. Okay. Thanks. He hung up.
Ethan? What's wrong?
James isn't just watching anymore. His voice shook. He's making his move. My friend found paperwork—James is filing a lawsuit claiming you're operating an illegal animal sanctuary. Violating zoning laws. Health codes. Everything he can think of.
That's insane! I'm not violating anything!
He knows that. But the lawsuit will tie you up in legal fees you can't afford. Force you to prove compliance. And while you're fighting in court— Ethan's jaw clenched. He's already contacted your creditors. Offered to buy your debts. If he owns your loans, Grace, he can force foreclosure. He can take everything.
The world tilted. He can't do that.
He can. And he is. Ethan grabbed my shoulders. We have maybe two weeks before the lawsuit hits. And once it does, the sanctuary will be frozen. No adoptions. No donations. The town will panic.
So what do I do?
Fight back. But Grace, fighting James means going to war. It means media attention, legal battles, him digging up every mistake you've ever made and putting it on display. His eyes were anguished. I can help. I have resources, connections, proof of what he's done before. But if you let me help, you're choosing a side. And James will come after you even harder.
My mind spun. Everything I'd built. Everything these animals depended on. All of it hanging by a thread.
I need time to think, I said.
We don't have time. The lawsuit could drop any day.
Then I need a miracle.
Ethan pulled me against him. Held me tight. I'm so sorry. I brought this to your door. I made you a target.
This isn't your fault.
Isn't it?
We stood there, holding each other, both knowing a storm was coming.
And for the first time, I wasn't sure we'd survive it.
That evening, I was doing paperwork when Maya called.
Turn on the news. Channel 7. Now.
I grabbed the remote with shaking hands.
The local news showed my sanctuary. My animals. And a reporter standing at my gate.
—allegations of illegal operation and animal welfare violations at Haven's Gate Sanctuary. Owner Grace Ashford could not be reached for comment. Local residents are concerned—
I turned it off, heart pounding.
It had already started. James had leaked the story before even filing the lawsuit.
My phone started ringing. Unknown numbers. Reporters.
Then a text from the number that sent the photo:
Told you we'd be in touch. The whole town will know by morning. Your reputation is finished, Dr. Ashford. Just like Ethan's. You should have taken the money.
Another text immediately after:
P.S. Check your sanctuary gate.
I ran outside, Ethan right behind me.
Someone had spray-painted across the gate in red letters:
ANIMAL ABUSER
My knees buckled. Ethan caught me.
He's destroying me, I whispered. Just like he destroyed you.
No. Ethan's voice was steel. He's declaring war. So we fight back.
How? He has money, lawyers, power
And we have the truth. Ethan turned me to face him. Grace, I have proof of everything James has done. Financial crimes. Theft. Fraud. Enough to bury him. I've been saving it for two years, waiting for the right moment.
Then use it!
If I do, he'll come after you even harder. He'll drag you through every courtroom, every headline, every nightmare. His voice broke. I can destroy him. But Grace—I can't protect you from the fallout.
I looked at my gate. At the spray paint. At my sanctuary about to be ripped apart by a man who saw me as nothing but leverage.
Then I looked at Ethan. At this man who'd already lost everything fighting this battle.
And I made my choice.
Then we go down fighting together, I said. Use the proof. Destroy him. Whatever happens next, we face it as a team.
Ethan searched my face. You're sure?
I'm terrified. But I'm sure.
He kissed me. Hard and desperate and full of promises we might not be able to keep.
When we broke apart, he pulled out his phone.
Then let's go to war.