Her Place in His Heart by Isabella Reed

Chapter 28
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“Sorry, Grace.” Antonio put aside his dignity, pride, and arrogance over the years, crawling on his knees to Grace’s side.
He wanted to hold her pale, delicate hands but held himself back.
“Grace, I know nothing I do can make up for the pain I caused you. I just want to make things right and give you an outlet for all
the hurt, the pain, and the sadness you’ve suffered all these years.”
“You–all of you–just want to ease your own guilt. Why should I give you that chance? I’ll never make peace with you, not in this
lifetime. I want you to suffer, forever and always, more than I ever did!”
Grace grabbed the ashtray next to her and hurled it at Antonio.
Antonio moaned in pain. The glass ashtray had hit his shoulder.
But with red eyes, Antonio straightened up and pulled Grace into his arms.
“Grace, it’s okay. You don’t have to forgive me. It’s okay if you hurt us.”
For a moment, Grace froze.
It was an awkward hug. Antonio seemed to realize it too.
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So he quickly let go of her.
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The shoulder where the ashtray had hit him ached, and so did the old wound in his chest that never fully healed. But Antonio
pressed his lips together, his eyes downcast.
“I’m sorry. It’s my fault. I... I couldn’t help myself.”

His clearly softened voice snapped Grace out of her memories.
For a split second, she had thought of Antonio from 16 years
ago.
That Antonio was the best version of himself. And now, Grace was the best version of herself.
Between the best versions of them lay 16 years of love, hate, and sadness.
“Mr. Kaufman, you actually lost control over someone like me?”
Grace sneered, her eyes icy. “Don’t you find me repulsive anymore?”
Antonio’s face turned pale as he heard that.
Once hurtful words were spoken, they couldn’t be taken back.
And now, what Antonio had done years ago backfired.
Grace’s mind flashed back to those hellish memories and the dark, gloomy prison cell.
“Get out!” She pointed to the door, her voice sharp. “I don’t want to see you. You only bring me pain and remind me of
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that night and those seven years of living hell!”
Antonio thought, “That night?”
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Seeing Grace’s emotional breakdown, Antonio didn’t leave. Instead, he pulled her into his arms again.
“Grace, listen to me. That night, I didn’t kiss Kyla. I really didn’t.”
But the answer was meaningless now.
It didn’t matter. It hadn’t mattered for a long time.

Thirteen years ago, Grace wasn’t chosen by Antonio. Instead, she was sent to prison.
From that moment on, their relationship was doomed.
“Antonio, what made you think you could treat me like that? Just because you’re powerful and wealthy, you thought you could do
whatever you wanted to me? I’m a living, breathing person!”
Grace struggled in his arms, hit him, and finally bit down hard on his bruised shoulder as if to release all the resentment she’d
held onto for years.
The taste of blood filled her mouth.
“Sorry, Grace. I’m sorry...” Antonio repeated those words over and over.
Those words felt empty and cheap. But what else could Antonio say?
A hard slap landed on Antonio’s face. He took it quietly.
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He raised his hand, slowly and gently patting Grace’s back.
“Grace, it’s okay. Let it all out. Don’t let those things stay buried inside you. It’s okay.”
Still the same words.
For a moment, Grace felt like she was being held by the 17- year–old Antonio.