Year After Year, Her Grace; Love Meets Winter

Just as we were about to exchange rings during the wedding ceremony, Dana Gilbert's phone rang.

He glanced down at the screen, and his expression changed at once.

Gertrude, wait for me. I'll be right back.

He gave my hand a squeeze, then turned and ran out.

I stood on the stage in my wedding gown while hundreds of eyes fixed on me.

My mom couldn't sit still in the front row anymore and got up to come pull me down.

I smiled at her, then raised my own glass of champagne to the crowd.

"Sorry, everyone. The groom has some urgent business. Please eat, drink, and make yourselves at home."

Dana Gilbert didn't come back for two days.

"Marina slit her wrists... If I don't go, she'll die."

He didn't dare look at me, his voice thick.

I set down my bowl and chopsticks and stared at him.

"And what about us?"

He didn't answer.

Right after that, a drafted set of divorce settlement papers appeared on the table.

I paused for two seconds, then picked up the pen and signed without hesitation.

Watching him wallow in his own noble self-pity, I suddenly realized that compared to a man, the balance in my bank account was a much nicer thing to look at.

...

Dana Gilbert stared at the last page of the agreement and didn't move for a long time.

I'd signed so fast that all the words he'd prepared got stuck in his throat.

"You didn't read the terms?"

"Already read them. I can skim ten lines at a glance, okay?"

He frowned.

"When did you read them?"

"Your assistant sent me the electronic copy before you came back."

The agreement was very generous.

A single-floor apartment in the Riverside district, two retail units, a vacation villa in Dana Gilbert's name, and a sum of cash enough to let me lie back and coast for several lifetimes.

He probably thought that if he threw enough money at me, I'd be grateful.

I capped the pen and pushed it back in front of him.

"Gertrude, there's no need to be spiteful about this."

Dana Gilbert's fingers twitched.

"I don't like being spiteful either."

"I'm just afraid that if you drag this out too long, Mr. Gilbert, and Marina Fox causes another death on her end, you'll be running back and forth between us. That's got to be exhausting."

His face darkened.

"Her situation is special."

"I know."

I looked up and smiled at him.

"That's why I'm clearing out for the two of you so quickly. Pretty decent of me, right?"

Dana Gilbert stared at me, irritation in his eyes.

He was used to me backing down.

Every time Marina Fox showed up, I bowed my head first.

Now that I'd stopped asking, it made him uncomfortable.

"I'll have someone finalize everything in the agreement as soon as possible."

"The first batch of handover documents needs to be in place by ten o'clock tomorrow morning."

"Gertrude Henson, that's enough."

He gritted his teeth.

"So now you've fallen into the money pit? All you can think about is making money?"

I almost laughed out loud.

"Dana Gilbert, all you can think about is Marina Fox, and you won't even let me put a little money aside to protect myself?"

He gripped the phone tightly.

The screen lit up for a moment. Marina Fox had sent a photo.

She was lying in a hospital bed, wrists wrapped in gauze, her face pale and drained of color.

When Dana Gilbert saw that photo, even his breathing went ragged.

I put down my bowl and chopsticks and got up to go back to the bedroom.

Hanging in the closet was the main gown I'd worn on my wedding day, its train a full three meters long.

I stared at it for a few seconds, then reached up, took it down, and stuffed it into a garment bag.

Dana Gilbert's voice came from the doorway.

"Where are you going with all those bags?"

"Moving out."

"You're in that much of a hurry to leave?"

"I'm leaving the house for the two of you to be a happy couple in. If she pulls another crying-screaming-threatening-suicide routine, living close by means you can swoop in and save the damsel without missing a beat, right?"

Dana Gilbert's face was ugly.

He followed me in and put his hand down on the box.

"Do you have to talk with a knife in every word?"

I looked up at him.

"On that stage, hundreds of people watched you abandon me, Dana Gilbert. Not slapping you across the face right now is already me being generous."

He let go.

That night he slept in the study.

I lay in the bed in the master bedroom, staring at the ceiling until dawn.

There was a hollow feeling inside me, but somehow I didn't shed a single tear.

My mom rushed to the villa the next day.

The moment she came in, she grabbed my hand, tears welling up.

"Gertrude, that no-good Dana Gilbert has pushed us too far! We are absolutely not divorcingwhy should we give up our spot to that mistress?"

I hugged her.

"Mom, the moment he ran out of that wedding, this relationship was already over."

"You gave him five years."

"Five years traded for these houses and this moneythat's not too bad a deal."

My mom's tears spilled over.

"You silly child, you've been hurt out of your senses."

I wiped her tears away.

"I'm not out of my senses. I just don't want to wait anymore."

At 1:50 p.m. sharp, Dana Gilbert showed up at the door of the county clerk's office.

At 2:00 on the dot, a black sedan pulled up at the curb.

The door opened, but the one who stepped out was my attorney.

"Hello, Mr. Gilbert. I'm Ms. Henson's attorney."

The lawyer handed over the documents in a strictly businesslike tone.

"Ms. Henson has given me full authority to handle the divorce, the cooling-off period procedures, and the subsequent transfer of assets."

Dana Gilbert stared at the power of attorney bearing my signature, his face darkening bit by bit.

At that same moment, the movers were loading my packed boxes onto the truck.

The phone in my pocket suddenly rang.

"Gertrude Henson, you won't even show your face?"

The instant the call connected, Dana Gilbert's angry voice bore down.

I glanced around the empty living room and felt not a ripple inside.

"Mr. Gilbert, I've signed everything. The lawyer can handle the rest of the paperwork. Leave professional matters to the professionalsit's more efficient."

"Do you really have to be this ruthless?"

"I'm quite busy. I need to clear out of the house as soon as possible."

I let out a soft laugh, giving him no chance to answer.

"That way, if Ms. Fox gets upset someday and threatens to slit her wrists again, she won't dirty the floor. That kind of thing is such a pain to clean up."

"Gertrude Henson..."

I didn't wait for him to finish shouting and hung up.

I turned around and waved to the movers.

"Let's go."

On my first night in the new place, I opened a bottle of champagne.

The apartment was a single-floor unit by the river, and the floor-to-ceiling windows looked out over the whole city.

Dana had once said he'd bring me here to live after we got married.

The marriage never happened, but the house came to me first.

My assistant, Valerie, crouched on the carpet, unpacking a box.

"Gertrude, are we really throwing all this out?"

The box was full of gifts Dana had given me.

A watch, a bag, and a little rabbit figurine he'd brought back for me from his first business trip.

I picked up the figurine and looked at it. One of the rabbit's ears had broken off.

I couldn't remember what day it had broken, and I couldn't remember what day Dana's heart had changed either.

"Donate them. Call it charity."

Valerie paused.

"You're not keeping a single one?"

"They'd just take up space."

I carried my glass over to the window.

"From now on I'm going to fill this place with things worth a lot more."

At ten the next morning, the handover materials arrived right on time.

Dana was a man of his word, after all.

The property deeds for the shops in the downtown financial district, the keys to several apartments, and the compensation money were all laid out in front of me.

I went through them page by page.

Valerie watched beside me, her eyes glazing over.

"My God, Dana's handed you half his net worth."

"That's guilt. He's spending money to buy himself an easy conscience."

"So do you still feel bad?"

I was silent for a few seconds.

"Honestly, there's still a knot in my chest."

"But the moment the money hit my account, the knot loosened a little."

That made Valerie laugh.

A little after midnight, Dana called.

I watched the screen ring for a long time before I answered.

"Mr. Gilbert, what brings you calling this late at night?"

Two seconds of silence on the other end.

"You moved fast."

"Efficient. Less to worry about."

"The person handling the shops said you're demanding the transfer of ownership tomorrow."

"What, is Mr. Gilbert going to stand me up?"

"I promised you. Of course it stands."

He paused.

"I just don't think you need to be in such a rush."

I leaned back on the sofa, turning my glass in my hand.

"Mr. Gilbert, you ran off pretty fast on our wedding day. I'm only following your example."

His breathing grew heavier on the line.

"Gertrude, I know you hate me."

"Hate's too strong a word."

"I'm quite busy right now. Shops, houses, cashmillions changing hands by the minute. If Mr. Gilbert feels the sting and thinks he's overpaid, he can knock some off anytime."

"That's not what I meant."

"Then don't get in the way of me making my fortune."

I hung up.

The next afternoon, Dana asked me to meet him at a restaurant.

I hadn't wanted to go, but Valerie reminded me there were two authorization documents on the shops that Dana and I had to sign at the same time.

So I had no choice but to walk in right on time.

Dana was already seated inside, a dark blue velvet box on the table.

The moment I sat down, he pushed it toward me.

"For you."

I opened it. A diamond necklace lay inside.

Dana stared at me.

"I passed the counter yesterday and saw it. I thought it would suit you."

"Then thank you for the reward, boss."

I picked it up and handed it straight to Valerie.

"Put it in the bag. Careful you don't knock it."

Dana froze.

"You... you're just going to take it like that?"

I looked at him.

"When the top donor wants to send gifts, why turn them down? We each get what we need. Very harmonious."

The door suddenly swung open.

Marina walked in wearing a red dress and high heels. When she saw the necklace on the table, her face fell in an instant.

"Dana, why are you meeting with her again?"

Dana frowned.

"We're handling an asset transfer. What are you doing here?"

Marina came over to my side, her eyes landing on the documents by my hand.

"You're already divorced, and you're still clinging to him with all this? Gertrude Henson, you've got quite the appetite."

I looked up and smiled at her.

"Ms. Fox, you really do let your imagination run. I'm not interested in Dana as a person. I'm only interested in the money he's handing over."

"If it really bothers you, you can talk him into giving less. I'm very easy to deal with."

Marina was shaking with fury.

"Have you no shame?"

I picked up the bill on the table and glanced at it.

"I set up this meal for the document handover. I've covered Mr. Gilbert's portion. Ms. Fox, your portionyou'll have to pay your own way on that one."

Marina's face went red, then white.

Dana stared at me, the emotion in his eyes growing darker and darker.

I stood, handing the signed documents to Valerie.

"Mr. Gilbert, have your people contact Valerie for the rest of the handover. Ms. Fox, enjoy your meal."

My phone buzzed as I walked out of the private dining room.

A bank alert: thirty million deposited, with the note: Compensation.

I smiled and sent Dana one line back.

Got it. Mr. Gilbert, very generous!

A few seconds later, his call came through again.

I just powered off the phone.

Valerie stared at me.

"Gertrude, are we still going to that auction tomorrow to join the fun?"

I picked up the invitation. It bore the name of that plot of land in the development zone.

"Of course we're going."

"But Dana will be there too."

"Then all the more reason to go. A battlefield like thathow thrilling."

The auction was crowded.

The moment I walked in, I saw Dana Gilbert seated in the front row, Marina Fox on his arm in an extravagant haute couture gown.

When she saw me, she deliberately lifted her chin.

"Ms. Henson is here to bid too?"

Her voice wasn't quiet; several people nearby heard it.

"I hear Dana gave you a hefty settlement. What, Ms. Hensonnow that you're spending your ex-husband's money, you really think you belong in this circle? Aren't you afraid this land will swallow up every last cent you've got?"

I sat down and opened the auction catalog.

"Ms. Fox is very chatty today."

"I'm just here to enjoy the show. Is a little curiosity not allowed?"

"Curiosity killed the cat. If you don't understand something, keep it to yourself."

Her face darkened.

Dana reminded her under his breath.

"Stop embarrassing yourself here."

Marina turned her head aside, her eyes full of hurt.

"You still have feelings for her, don't you? That's why you're protecting her!"

Dana said nothing more.

Once the bidding started, the parcel in the development zone was quickly driven up to a high price.

I raised my paddle twice, and Marina immediately followed.

Every round I bid up, she chased.

She had no idea what the land was worth; she only wanted to beat me.

Dana quickly sensed something was off and turned his face, lowering his voice.

"Marina, stop bidding."

Marina wouldn't back down.

"A nouveau riche like her dares to bid, so why should I cave?"

I looked at her and raised my paddle a third time.

She barely hesitated and pushed the price up.

The figure hit three times the original estimate, and the room went quiet.

The auctioneer looked at me.

"Ms. Henson, do you want to raise?"

I closed the catalog and gave a small smile.

"I'm out of steam. I'll just lie back and take it easy."

The smile hadn't even faded from Marina's face.

"Congratulations, Ms. Fox."

The auctioneer called three times, and the gavel fell.

Marina had won the parcel.

She sat frozen in her chair, fingers clenched around her bidder's paddle.

Dana's face was dark and ugly.

"Marina, do you even know what you just bought?"

"I... I just saw how she wouldn't let go. I couldn't let her win."

"She digs a pit and you have to jump right in?"

Her eyes went red at once.

"Dana, you'd actually snap at me for her sake?"

I stood and smoothed my skirt.

As I passed them, Marina suddenly blocked my way.

"Gertrude Henson, you set me up on purpose."

"I raised my paddle for a legitimate investment."

"Don't play dumb. You knew perfectly well I'd fight you to the death."

"Ms. Fox, the paddle is in your hand."

I stopped and straightened her slightly crooked collar for her.

"Next time you want to go head to head with someone, check whether Dana's wallet says yes first."

She gritted her teeth.

"What are you so smug about? He dumped you."

I looked at the necklace around her neck.

"I got dumped, yesbut Mr. Gilbert kept shoving big luxury apartments into my arms, one after another."

"You've been with him all this time. How many years' worth of bonuses has he ever given you?"

Marina's expression changed.

"What he gave me is pure love. You don't know a damn thing!"

"Then have him give you something real."

I laughed lightly.

"Shares, a house, anything. Don't think you've won just because you got one necklace."

She raised a hand to shove me, but Dana caught her wrist from behind.

"Enough."

Marina turned to look at him, tears spilling down.

"You're actually helping her?"

But Dana's gaze stayed on my face.

I didn't look at him.

After we left the venue, Valerie asked me.

"You really don't want that land?"

"Of course I do. I've dreamed of getting my hands on it."

"Then why did you let it go?"

"Because when your virtue doesn't match your position, disaster is bound to follow."

The next day I went to a private club to meet an investor.

Before our appointed time had even come, Marina chased her way in.

She was stopped in the lobby and shrilly announced who she was.

"I'm Dana Gilbert's girlfriendhow dare you stop me?"

I stood on the second-floor viewing terrace and watched through the glass as she forced her way up.

Valerie frowned.

"Gertrude, this crazy woman is charging up here. Want me to call for backup?"

"Not yet."

Marina closed in on her high heels.

"Gertrude Henson, you play the head-in-the-sand coward pretty smoothly."

I took half a step back. Behind me was the display stand for the club's artwork, no railing around its edge.

She stared at me, her eyes furiously red.

"Gertrude Henson, if you don't give me an explanation today, this isn't over!"

I lowered my eyes and slowly gripped the hem of my skirt.

"All right. What do you want to hear?"

Down at the entrance a black sedan had just come to a stop, and Dana Gilbert stepped out.

Marina Fox rushed up to me and raised her hand to slap me.

I turned my face away, and her hand missed. She froze, caught off guard.

"The way you looked standing up on that stage on your wedding day still makes me laugh whenever I think about it."

I said nothing.

She took it as fear, and the more she talked the more worked up she got.

"You really thought I slit my wrists? I just nicked the skin a little, dabbed some red ink on it, wrapped it in gauze, and Dana came running to me like a madman."

She lifted her wrist, still wound in gauze.

"What were you doing while he was holding me and crying? Were you still in your wedding dress, standing there like a fool, waiting for him to come back?"

My fingers slowly curled in.

Marina saw it and smiled even more smugly.

"You're so pitiful. Five years you waited, and you couldn't even hold on to him through his own wedding."

I looked up at her.

"You lured him away with a fake wound, and you're actually proud of that?"

"At least he trusts me."

"He trusts you because he's blind."

Marina's smile froze.

I took a step back, my arm brushing the edge of the display stand.

"But sooner or later he'll see it clearlythat you can't hold on to him at all, that all you can do is cry and throw fits."

"Gertrude Henson."

She was furious.

"What right do you have to talk about me? A woman like you can put on a wedding dress and still not cover up that cheap, poor stink. Dana only married you out of pity."

I tugged at the corner of my mouth.

"Then why did he give me so much money?"

Marina's breathing went ragged.

"That's his guilty conscience! He felt he owed you!"

"Even if it's a debt, it's still my own payout to collect."

I looked at her.

"You can't even get what Dana owes you, and you still think you're something?"

Her face went bright red.

"Shut your mouth, you bitch!"

There was a glass art piece on the display stand.

Marina snatched it up, her eyes full of hate.

"Today I'm going to ruin that face of yours, and we'll see if Dana ever gives you a second look!"

The instant the piece came smashing down, I twisted aside.

The edge of the glass still grazed my forearm, and blood welled up, dripping through my fingers to the floor.

Marina couldn't check her swing; the piece struck the display stand and shattered across the floor.

She stepped on a shard, her foot slipped, and she fell straight down the steps.

That was when the clubhouse doors were pushed open.

Marina lay at the foot of the steps, whimpering, while I pressed my arm and leaned against the display stand.

The moment she saw Dana, the tears came instantly, and she reached out to him.

"Dana... save me, it hurts so much..."

Dana looked at the broken glass and blood all over the floor.

The next second he came charging toward me like a madman.