I ran my hand down the mid-length white and black floral dress I had on, tugging it down just a bit more before looking myself over in the mirror with a satisfactory smile. Mark's work colleagues were starting to fill up the apartment in celebration of his promotion. My mom and Frank would be there any minute, and I was looking forward to spending some time with my mom.

I heard the door click open and I turned to see Mark popping his head inside the room. "Come on out here Grace, you're missing out on introductions."

I smiled politely and grabbed the hand he offered me as we walked out into the spacious living room. Mark introduced to me one colleague after another, until soon, their faces blurred together. Every time I would start a conversation with one person, I was being swooped over to meet someone new. It was overwhelming to say the least.

I assumed Mark was just nervous to make a good impression and excited for me to meet everyone. Of course, I had already met a few through the years, and once Mark was done tugging me around, I gravitated to those I knew with him to enjoy a conversation.

My mom and Frank had showed up not long after, but I barely had time with my mom from being dragged everywhere with Mark. So once things settled down more and Mark became occupied with a group of colleagues, I looked around for her.

I heard Frank's boisterous voice through the tidal wave of people, and I peered around to see he had just left my mom's side. She waved me over to the appetizer bar we had set up with a smile on her face and a drink in her hand.

"Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?"

"Once or twice mom." I shook my head with a grin.

"Well good, I just want to make sure you know. You look absolutely stunning, and I bet you're so proud of Mark. He has done wonderfully in providing you this life."

I forced a smile, because while I knew she was trying to be complimentary, it hit me differently. I held my own success and the life we had was not solely due to Mark. I worked incredibly hard as a Chef, and in the beginning, had even brought in more money than Mark. Not that that was ever an issue with me, unlike it had been with Mark anyway. But it seemed no matter my successes, they were buried beneath the need to appease Mark.

"I am proud mom. He has worked hard to get to where he is, and I'm so happy for him."

I grabbed the martini I had finished pouring and popped in an olive before taking a drink. Instead of the proper sip, I didn't stop until it was all gulped down, nearly swallowing the whole olive in the process. I glanced at my mom out of the corner of my eye to see she was looking at me as if I had personally offended her.

"Can I tell you something mom?" I asked, wiping the corner of my mouth.

"Of course. You can tell me anything. Does it have anything to do with why on earth you just chugged that martini like it was your last salvation?"

I glanced over to where Mark and Frank were exchanging words and then looked back to my mom.

"Truthfully, I'm not so sure of this life we have built anymore. I don't see a future here in these walls."

My mom audibly gasped and covered her mouth immediately following.

"What are you saying Grace? Do you not love Mark?"

"Of course mom. It's just, something is missing. Honestly, being back in Wyoming brought up old feelings, and I don't know if I see myself having a life in the city anymore. At least not in this penthouse of an apartment. And I don't know...I'm not sure if I see myself having this life anymore." I whispered the last part, cautiously tasting the words aloud on my tongue.

My mom nodded and peered over to where Frank and Mark still stood. She was quiet a moment, lost in thought, before speaking.

"You know, there was a time I could not imagine a life without your father. It didn't seem possible. It still hurts when I allow myself to think long enough on it. We were so crazy in love and when he left us, I never thought I would be happy again. Until I met Frank." She nodded over to where he was standing.

"He may not be the love of my life, but he is the man that I love. Now, you may not be able to imagine a life within these walls, but even if it's not the passionate, crazy for each other type of love, that man does love you. And he's put a lot into the future you guys have been planning with one another." She reached out and grabbed my hand. "Sometimes, we don't get to keep the maddening type of love that drives us to the end of sanity, and that's if we are lucky enough to have found it in the first place. But hun, don't count out the safe type of love; that's the kind you can count on."

She patted my hand and turned away as she walked toward her husband, her words hanging heavily on my mind.

But what if I was lucky enough to have found it? What if... what if I could keep it?

****

"Grace, come here real quick." Mark's voice boomed from across the room as I made my way toward him.

I smiled as he pulled me into his side while his other hand raised his glass.

"Can I have everyone's attention please? I would like to make a toast!"

The room grew quiet as all eyes focused on us.

"As everyone knows, I have been at Waldorf's Advertising for six years now. I have put in a lot of work to get to where I am now, and this lovely lady on my arm has put up with a lot of long nights." Mark shifted his stance to where he was facing me. "Grace, I know I have put you through so much these past years with my constant need to work, but you have stood by my side throughout it all." A rush of guilt passed through me followed by extreme panic as Mark took a hold of my hand and thick emotion flashed across his eyes.

"There is no one I would rather stick by me through it all than you. Thank you for being patient." My heart straight up stopped when he knelt on one knee. "Grace, will you marry me?"

The drink I had threw back earlier threatened to come up as uneasiness settled in my stomach. I looked to Mark's piercing gaze, to my mom's hopeful smile, and back to Mark whose eyes were suddenly an intense blue. I squeezed my eyes shut and slightly shook my head, before slowly opening them back up again to see nervous brown eyes staring up at me.

"Yes." I managed to get out, the word first catching in the back of my throat.

In one swift moment, Mark was on his feet grabbing me in an embrace before sliding the massive ring onto my finger. Cheers echoed throughout the room. The noise was so loud I couldn't seem to drown out my thoughts. The need for some peace and quiet was strong, so while Mark was busy with congratulatory hugs, I quickly excused myself and headed out onto the balcony outside.

The brisk air hit my skin as I gripped the railing, suddenly and desperately seeking any star to keep me grounded. Taking deep breaths in, I tried to calm myself and rationalize why I was feeling so anxious. I loved Mark and he loved me. Marrying him was what I had wanted for awhile. So why did I feel so overwhelmed? So lost? So broken?

I didn't get a chance to analyze my feelings because the door slid open and Frank stepped out onto the balcony to join me.

He rested his arms on the ledge, peering over at me.

"You know you just made that man happy."

"You really think so?" Honestly, a part of me was feeling Mark had asked because I had been expecting it. It was nice to hear his question was genuine.

"Of course. Listen, your mom mentioned you may have some doubts, but you did a good thing tonight. Mark's proposal to you is really going to help him stay ahead in the company."

I turned fully toward him, my eyes narrowing in confusion.

"What do you mean?"

"Well being a family man is a good image to have. I've been telling Mark he needed to pop the question, especially with his promotion on the line. Celebrating him tonight was the perfect time to do it."

"Wait, you--"

"Now Grace, you two will be happy." He asserted, cutting me off. "You've been wanting to get married for awhile. Now its finally happening. What does the how or why even matter? It was going to happen either way. And he's good for you just like you are for him. I'm happy for you kiddo."

He squeezed my arm and smiled before heading back inside, leaving me at a loss for words. He never called me kiddo, and apparently my heart and brain decided it was better to focus on that fact rather than the painful truth that was just uncovered.

What do we think about what just happened? I thought it was important to see into Grace's life to understand her more. While she started to uncover truths she had not wanted to face in those two and a half days with Colt, she's also had years of being dissmissed and submitting to it. Unfortunately, she's not going to immediately snap out of it. But keep the faith in her. 🙏

Thanks so much for reading, you guys are the absolute best, and I truly enjoy having you here with me!💕