Page 14 of Shattered By Grace

Chapter Six

“It’s been months since we had dinner. All you do is work or hit the gym,” Taylor teased, glancing up from her charting after their last birth.

“Grace, you’re a hermit in scrubs. Friday, no excuses. We’re going out,” Taylor declared, her grin widening.

Victoria raised an eyebrow, amused by Taylor’s persistence. “Oh, really? And here I thought my social life was already so thrilling.”

Taylor’s smile grew playful. “Come on, this city has more than just a gym. There’s a whole world out there. Museums, restaurants, nightclubs… maybe even a date?”

Victoria sighed, leaning back in her chair with a half-smile. “I know, I know. It’s just… easier to stick to a routine. The gym helps me clear my mind. It’s not like either of the twins have made any moves."

Taylor’s eyes widened with curiosity. “Wait, what? The twins? Tristan and Tyson? What do you mean they’re not making any moves? Are they supposed to?”

I’m supposed to be getting close to them, figuring out what their family is hiding. But I’m failing—miserably. Tristan has this way about him. Ugh.She couldn’t exactly say that out loud.

Victoria felt a blush creeping up her neck. “No, no, I don’t think so,” she said quickly. “It’s just… they’re always around, you know? I see them every day at the gym, and there’s this… tension.”

“Tension, huh?” Taylor’s grin turned sly. “Now that sounds juicy.’”

Victoria rolled her eyes, forcing a scoff. “Trust me, it’s not. It’s just… complicated.”

Taylor leaned back, intrigued. "Complicated sounds interesting. Come on, spill. What's the deal with you and the twins?"

Their father murdered mine, and I want to burn their empire to the ground. But I can’t tell you that. Oh, and my name isn’t even Grace.That little detail stays with her.

Victoria sighed, running a hand through her hair. “I don’t know what to do, Tay. I’m attracted to them both.” The words tasted bitter, but they weren’t a lie. She hesitated, then admitted, "Tristan? He’s… aggravating. Always pushing my buttons, but there’s this tension…this flirting that I can’t ignore. And Tyson? Ugh, Tyson. He’s so damn hard to read. Most of the time, he’s distant, but then… there are these moments where he watches me at the gym like I’m the only person in the room.”

Taylor chuckled, leaning in with a playful grin. "Oh, that sounds like you’re in deep, girl. But honestly, a little complication never killed anyone, right?"

If only you knew. I’m in so deep, I might drown.She mentally groaned, scrambling for a way to escape this conversation.

Victoria laughed, shaking her head. “Hold that thought.”

As she stood up, Victoria glanced at the clock. “Hey, I’m going to check on room four. She was progressing nicely, and I want to say goodbye before I head out for the night.”

“Alright, we’re going out Friday night,” Taylor called after her, her voice light with excitement. “And no gym excuses, okay?”

“No promises!” Victoria called back, grinning as she walked away.

“Hey Grace! Tony is waiting for you in the ring,” Casey called out as Victoria walked into the gym.

The gym felt different tonight, the air thick against her skin like an unseen weight.

The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting long, sharp-edged shadows that made her nerves itch. She resisted the urge to check over her shoulder, but the phantom scent of cigarette smoke curled in her nostrils, setting her pulse on edge.

Casey waved. “Grace! Looking sharp today.”

Her stomach clenched.Grace.The name was a bitter pill, a reminder of the life she was forced to abandon. But she swallowed the resentment, locking it away. “Thanks, Casey,” she said, keeping her tone even, despite the storm twisting inside her.

Pulling her hair into a tight bun on top of her head, she glanced over at the counter, where a few other gym members were chatting. “Hi,” she greeted them with a nod, maintaining her facade of confidence.

She made her way to the locker room, the familiar scent of disinfectant and sweat greeting her as she entered. The locker room was a mix of sleek metal lockers and wooden benches, designed for functionality rather than comfort. She found an empty locker and quickly changed into her workout gear: black leggings, a fitted tank top, and her worn but reliable boxing shoes.

As she laced up her shoes, Victoria took a steadying breath, letting the familiar ritual ground her. The locker room was her temporary sanctuary, the last quiet moment before stepping into the controlled chaos of the gym. Here, she could gather her thoughts, shake off distractions, and brace herself for what was to come.

She caught her reflection in the mirror, adjusting her bun and tightening the wraps around her hands. The face staring back was both hers and not. Victoria and Grace, tangled together in a fragile balance.

Stay alert.The warning pulsed in her mind like a mantra.

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