Hey everybody, I'm back with another chapter. Thanks for reading and enjoy the story! BTW I have a problem where I have an inability to keep a back stock of chapters because I get too excited about getting feedback that I have to put them out right away. So... That's why I have a really hard time with a regular update schedule. It could be worse, at least I am addicted to publishing as soon as I finish and not hard drugs!

I was alone in my mother's room. It looked like someone had turned it upside down and another had tried to piece it back together before I could return and notice, but I did. The books on the shelf were out of order. The dust on the table in the corner that I never touched was disturbed. The pictures on the dresser were out of order. The devil was in the details with this one, if I hadn't grown up with a certainty that this room would remain the same forever, I never would have noticed.

Sitting up, I realized I was still in my hospital gown and Jamie's West Point jacket. I decided I needed a shower. I hadn't gotten one after that nurse had swabbed and pictured every part of me and I still felt dirty.

In the shower, I figured out what the flashes outside the hospital last night were. Cameras. I had no idea why. The news of Spence's death must have broken but that had nothing to do with Jamie coming to get me at the hospital. I would have to check the news or ask Jamie. Or maybe I could just text Noah, but then I would have to explain where I was and what's happened in the last... however long I'd been at the hospital, but I didn't want that. I didn't want anyone to know about the shame and humiliation I'd felt.

I stayed under the warm water until my frozen appendages finally felt warm again, despite the fact the summer sun that would beat down incessantly on Adria all summer.

When I was done, I opened my more's closet and found the two shelfs I had allowed a change to so i could put my own clothes in. I chose joggers and a baggy long sleeve t-shirt, my dad's, hoping my favorite cozy outfit would bring me some comfort.

Slipping on Jamie's jacket, I headed out of my room to find people. I knocked on Jamie's bedroom door and was met with no reply. I walked toward the dining room afterward because my stomach was growling and a glance at the wall told me it was 10:00am and there would probably still be food there.

I reached up to open the dining room door, but heard a voice behind me.

"Don't go in there, Grace Olivia." the Scarred Man was behind me.

"Why should I listen to you?" I grabbed the handle, but he pushed the door so I would not be able to pull it open.

"Just listen to me, Grace Olivia."

"Why should I listen to someone who lied to me along with everyone else? Maybe it was about different things and maybe you helped me escape the Prime Minister, but that doesn't mean I should just trust you."

"I will tell you the truth soon, but for now, please go and wait somewhere else until Eleanor tells you I have left the building."

Ms. Chancellor? And did he just use the word please? What is going on right now?

I heard the clack of heels on tile and saw Ms. Chancellor enter the hall.

"Grace, good morning, how are you feeling, dear?" she paused at the end of the hall, "Come with me, breakfast was cleared some time ago, but no one wanted to wake you. We can have some tea and a light brunch on the terrace. Lunch is in a few hours and we don't want to ruin your appetite."

I didn't have the energy to argue with her too, so I conceded to the both of them, walking down the hall to Ms. Chancellor who put a hand on my back to subtly rush me along away from the Scared Man.

"Dominic." she acknowledged the Scarred Man as we practically ran away.


'Brunch on the terrace' was a sneaky way of interrogating me. She fed me pastries and tea cakes, poured more and more of my favorite tea into my flowery porcelain cup and stoked the conversation with small talk until she thought she had lured me into enough of a false sense of security to ask an invasive question.

"How are you feeling?" followed by "How was the hospital?"

"What do you want to do today?" followed by "What did the police ask you?"

"I'll ask the chef to make your favorites for dinner tonight." followed by "What happened to you at the hospital?"

There's a reason Ms. Chancellor has been so successful in her position for so long. She's scary. She probably already knew everything and was seeking corroboration. The last question made me think Jamie had given her a story about what happened when he came to get me but the police had given her another and she wanted to know the truth.

"Gracie!" the familiar, heavily accented voice both sent chills running down my spine and put a grin on my face. I was free from this subtle interrogation at last!

"Alexei?" I looked at him as he leaned out the third story window of the Russian Embassy. I waved with a smile, "Come over and have some tea! I want to see you!"

It looked like he blushed a bit, from this distance I could have been mistaken. Alexei has always been so unshakable, so I think I was probably just mistaken.

"I would love to, but I'm a bit trapped at the moment thanks to your new friends." he gave a motion toward the front gate.

"Yes, I'm sure the press would love to get a snippet from my grandfather about the loss of a West Point cadet on vacation." I said sarcastically.

"Gracie that's not-"

"Alexei, I don't think this shouting match will be very good press if the reporters out front hear it. Feel free to come by and visit to continue this conversation." Ms. Chancellor interrupted. She's hiding something. I'll have to ask Alexei later, he seems glad to tell me what's really going on.

"Yes, Ms. Chancellor," he nodded his head to her, "I'll see you soon, Gracie!" he waved and I waved back.

I almost wished we were one of those couples that could just freely blow each other a kiss, but we seemed to be more of a private couple, hiding something from anyone and everyone, all the time, even hiding something from each other and ourselves when it was just us.

It was not long after the conversation with Alexei that Ms. Chancellor excused herself to make a phone call and told me to enjoy the treats and fresh air for as long as I wanted. She usually never has this much time in the middle of the day. It felt a bit like she was babysitting me, more than just having tea and catching up with someone she hasn't seen in a bit.

"Gracie!" Jamie jogged out from the house onto the terrace and knelt down to my new level in the chair of the metal bistro set.

"Hi," I held Jamie's hand as he placed it on my knee. Despite the revelations of last night, I was still torn up inside. Those wounds were finally on the mend, but they and the fractures in our relationship would take much longer to heel than just a night. I hoped that one day we could go back to being as close as we once were again.

He hugged me tightly, then letting go to inspect my face when he asked, "Are you feeling okay?"

"I'm great besides my dignity." I gave him a bittersweet smile.

"So you know." he frowned.

"Of course I do. It wasn't hard to figure out." Lie. I have no idea what's going on.

"I'm sorry I said I would protect you from them, but I don't know how to stop them and their talk."

"Well, my antics always have been the talk of the town every time I arrive. There was the bike accident, the wall incident, the tree planting I interrupted, and now the Spen-"

"Don't say his name," he clenched my hand in his, "I never want to hear that bastard's name again."

I sighed and leaned my head on his shoulder, "Okay. I think I can manage that."

"Sorry..." he brought his hand up to rub his head, "I didn't mean to snap at you like that. I just can't believe the lies those disgusting vultures are making up about you."

"It's okay..." I mumbled, sitting back up to give him a smile, "It will blow over with time."

"I hope so," he stood and looked down at me with a pitiful smile, before suddenly his shoes became very interesting, "Is there anything you want? Do you want me to get Megan or Rosie to come and hang out with you? I know you might not feel comfortable talking to me about what-"

"No!" his head jerked up as he looked at me, "I don't want to see them, and I feel fine talking to you! I trust you, Jamie, and I don't ever want you to feel like I don't!"

He gave me another hug, this time is was forceful and nearly knocked me off my chair. I never imagined my big tough old brother would turn into someone affectionate like this. I guess we've both changed a lot in the time we've been apart, or maybe the current circumstances are what has transformed our relationship like this.

"Are you sure there isn't anything you want? Name it and it's yours."

"Can you get Alexei here? I want to see him. I want to talk to both of you about what happened after the police took me away. I want to tell the both of you, but I don't think I'll be able to do it twice."

"Give me an hour." he kissed my cheek and headed off into the house.

"Your time has started! T-59 minutes and 59 seconds!"