?Chapter 1097:

    Meanwhile, at the hospital, Belen rested in bed, an IV drip attached to her arm. Gracie and Elsa sat together on a small couch nearby, chatting quietly. Since noon, Gracie had…

    been at Belen’s side for nearly six hours. She had only stepped out briefly to meet Rosie for lunch and to buy food for Belen and Elsa.

    “Gracie, can I ask you something? Please answer honestly,” Elsa said. She had been holding back her question for a while, unsure if she was close enough to Gracie to speak so openly, especially considering what had happenedst time. Now, after hours of conversation, Elsa felt they’d grownfortable with each other.

    Gracie shed a gentle smile, expertly peeling an apple. Her hands moved with practiced ease. When she finished, the apple looked perfectly round and inviting.

    She sliced it into neat pieces, arranged them on a te, and offered Elsa a toothpick.

    The gesture touched Elsa. It felt as if Gracie were caring for her the way a daughter-inw would. In Elsa’s eyes, she was exactly the kind of young woman she wanted for her son—thoughtful, respectful, from a decent family.

    Even without wealth, Gracie seemed far better than the headstrong Brenna.

    “Ask anything you like, Mrs. Mitchell. I’ll tell you whatever I can,” Gracie said with a smile.

    Though she looked calm, Gracie felt anxious about letting Elsa down. She’d done everything possible today—tending to Belen with care, feeding her, and helping with all the personal tasks that even Belen’s daughter might shy away from.

    “Let’s share the apple,” said Elsa, passing Gracie a toothpick.

    “Thank you, Mrs. Mitchell,” replied Gracie.

    “What a well-mannered youngdy you are.” Elsa felt a wave of satisfaction. Gracie’s good looks and intelligence were matched by her gentle manners. It pleased Elsa to see such courtesy and respect.

    But there was still something on her mind.

    “I heard your father passed away, and your family lost everything. Is that true?” Elsa asked.

    The question brought a flicker of sadness to Gracie’s eyes. Memories of her father’s sudden death and the family’s downfall resurfaced. She had gone from living in luxury to struggling just to get by. That wound was still fresh.

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    Still, Gracie longed for Elsa’s approval. She didn’t want Elsa to know just how difficult things had be for her. If Elsa thought she was too much of a burden, she might not ept her to be with Ethan.

    “My father passed away, and yes, my family lost everything,” Gracie answered, quickly deciding to blend some truth. She hoped to earn sympathy, but not pity. “Are you…

    “saddled with debt now?” That was the one thing Elsa worried about the most. It didn’t matter if Gracie’s family had gone bankrupt or if she had lost her parents. Ethan had more than enough money and didn’t need to marry for wealth.

    As long as Gracie had no debt to deal with, Elsa had no objections to her being with Ethan.

    Gracie let out a sigh and gave a firm shake of her head. “No. I don’t owe anyone money. My father always kept his business in order, but some people took everything from us. Even so, I still have enough savings to get by on my own.”

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