Chapter 9
At Prosper Corporation in Canada.
“Grace Parrish? We don’t have that person here. You must have dialed the wrong number,” the receptionist said and hung up.
Grace saw that. “What is it? New business opportunity?”
No. Wrong number. Are you leaving work, Mary?” the receptionist responded in a sweet voice.
“Yes. I’m heading home for my daughter. You can take off too. It’s past working hours.”
“OK. I’ll be off soon.”
Grace smiled at the lively young girl and left.
Right after she came to Canada and enrolled Isabella in school, she began working.
It was a new division, so there were only two people in charge. One was a local, and the other was Grace. However, there was no Rat race in the country, so Grace got to leave work on time for Isabella.
She got out of the company building and went to pick up Isabella.
Seeing Grace, Isabella ran over with joy and called “Mom” in a childish
voice.
Grace held Isabella’s hand and headed home. While walking, she asked how Isabella’s day was.
“Bella, are you used to life here? How was school?”
Isabella looked up at Grace. “Yes. It was great. The teachers all like me, and I’ve made many friends.”
Grace stroked her hair and praised her, “You are amazing. I knew they’d like you.”
Isabella beamed a sweet smile at Grace, and they walked home while chatting happily.
After dinner, they cuddled on the sofa and sent a video call to Jeffrey and
Joanna.
Joanna’s crinkled eyes were filled with worry. “How are you there? Are you used to the food there?”
“We are fine. Don’t worry. We sleep well and eat well.” Grace comforted
Joanna in a soft voice.
“Don’t worry, Grandpa, Grandma. Mom has a good complexion now. She looks younger and more beautiful, like an 18–year–old girl,” Isabella said in Grace’s arms.
The other three all burst into laughter.
“Great. I’m glad you’re happy there.” Jeffrey was helpless with a smile.
“Since we are not there to take care of you, you need to take care of yourself. Don’t skip meals.” Joanna began nagging and looked like she would cry again.
Although Grace heard those words many times, she still said with
ac
patience, “I’m not a child, Mom. I can take care of myself and Bella. Don’t worry. When things are better, we’ll go back to see you.”
Joanna was about to respond when someone thumped the door.
“Jeffrey, Joanna, let me in. You know where Grace is, right?”
It was Antonio.
Grace’s smile froze. Joanna could only smile with embarrassment.
“He comes every few days and asks us where you are.”
Grace pulled a sad smile.
You didn’t tell him, did you?”
“Of course not. He broke your heart. We won’t let him bother you again.”
“Jeffrey, Joanna, I know I was wrong. Please tell me where Grace is,” Antonio begged.
Jeffrey didn’t want Antonio to disturb the neighbors. “I’ll go take a look.”
Then, Jeffrey opened the door and huffed, “We said we didn’t know. Don’t disturb our neighbors. Leave us alone, OK?”
“Jeffrey, I found out that Grace had sent her luggage several times from this place. She must have left from here. Please tell me where she’s gone. I can’t live without her.”
Jeffrey and Antonio kept arguing, but Grace didn’t want to listen anymore, so she said goodbye to Joanna and hung up.
The next morning, the receptionist explained to the person on the phone with frustration for a long time and then hung up in low spirits.
Grace saw it and asked, “What’s going on? Which client is so difficult?”
The receptionist waved her hand. “Well, it’s not a client. He called every day and said he wanted to speak to Grace. I told him we didn’t have that person here, but he just wouldn’t give up.”
Hearing that, Grace paused.
Then, she said, “I sec. Block the number then.”
