Chapter 5

Grace Parker POV

I knew Adrian thought I was only saying angry words.

After all, he was far too used to me giving in.

Over the past five years, no matter how fiercely we fought, as long as he came home, coaxed me with a few words, sent me a bouquet, and mentioned old memories from when he pursued me, I would always slowly soften.

This time, he bought my favorite white roses.

I did not accept them.

I held a small briefing at the gallery and clearly explained which of Evelyn Hayes’s works could be used, who could use them, and who to contact for approval in the future.

I also announced that the Parker Gallery would no longer accept money from the Hart Foundation, and that we would find another way to handle the renovation funds.

When Adrian arrived, the media happened to be asking questions.

“Miss Parker, does this mean your relationship with the Hart Foundation has broken down?”

I stood at the front of the room.

“This is only separating public from private. Evelyn Hayes’s works are not tools for anyone’s emotional compensation or resource exchange.”

Adrian’s face was livid.

After the briefing ended, he pulled me into the side hall.

“Do you know what you’re doing? Once the Hart Foundation withdraws, the gallery will have to stop work for at least half a year.”

I pulled my hand back.

“I know.”

“You’re so determined to spite me that you don’t even care about your mother’s gallery?”

“It’s exactly because my mother is in my heart that I can’t keep using her name in exchange for your approval.”

Adrian stared at me and suddenly laughed.

“You sound tough now, but when you’re really short on money, you’ll still come back to me.”

Before I could speak, applause came from the doorway.

Julian stood there, with several older collectors beside him.

“Miss Parker doesn’t need to come to you,” Julian said.

“Professor Hayes helped many people while she was alive, and we’re willing to jointly donate the renovation funds.”

Adrian looked at him with hostility in his eyes.

“Mr. Hayes is quite eager.”

Julian said lightly, “It’s not strange for people who received Professor Hayes’s kindness to be a little eager.”

I did not let Julian continue speaking for me.

I turned to Adrian.

“You should go back.”

This was the first time I had told him to leave in front of outsiders.

Adrian’s pride seemed to have been pierced.

He looked at me coldly, then turned and left.

That afternoon, Serena posted an update.

She took a photo of a backstage lounge, where she was wrapped in a blanket and half a glass of glucose water sat on the table, with the caption: Maybe when something doesn’t belong to you, even getting close is wrong.

Half an hour later, Adrian appeared backstage at the arts center.

When I saw the news, I was checking the donation pledge list at the gallery.

I took out the ninety-seventh love letter and pushed it into the shredder.

In the letter, he had written: Grace, when you’re unhappy, I won’t go anywhere.

The scraps fell.

He had gone somewhere else long ago.

The donation pledge list did not go smoothly.

Two collectors called at the last minute and said the Hart side had hinted that they should not get involved in the Hart family’s private affairs.

After listening, I did not get angry.

I simply handed the call recordings to Attorney Harris, then contacted backup donors one by one.

Julian accompanied me to three old collection institutions.

Some people were willing to help, some politely declined, and some advised me not to stay angry with my husband.

Each time, I politely thanked them.

When the car arrived at the entrance of the last institution, I was so tired that I leaned back in the seat, my eyes full of red veins.

Julian handed me a bottle of water.

“You can stop for a while.”

“I can’t stop.”

I unscrewed the cap.

“If I stop, Adrian will think I can’t hold on.”

“Then are you doing this to prove something to him?”

I froze.

After a long time, I shook my head.

“No. I want to prove it to myself. Without the Hart Foundation, the gallery can still survive.”

The moment I said those words, the place in my chest that had been blocked for so long suddenly loosened a little.

I was not acting out of anger against Adrian.

I was finding my way back for myself.