1.

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Forever and a Day: Chapter 1

"I don't want to hear it, Grace. For God's sake, just leave," Sam said, his voice raw. "I'm done. It's been months since I've had a moment of peace… I am so sick of this life with you."

Grace watched him, her own eyes filling with tears. His face was flushed with anger, his hands clasped together as he pleaded.

"Sam… please…" she stammered, "I just… there's something…"

"Just stop. I don't want to hear it," he cut her off. "Look, your aunt is here. Go with her. Maybe you can find some other poor soul with no family to be at your beck and call. I'm not interested anymore."

"Sam…" Diana, Grace's aunt, stepped forward. "It's not what you think. Grace isn't—"

"Don't, Diana," Sam snapped. "The day she set foot in this house, I told her this was a multi-generational household, that she'd have to learn to look the other way sometimes. But what has she done for the past year? I know everything she’s pulled to try and drive a wedge between me and my family. So no, I don't want a wife like this. I want you to take her with you. That's why I called."

"Sam…" Grace choked out his name, her voice thick with unshed tears as she listened to him.

"What is there to say?" Sam's mother, Angela, interjected, her tone sharp. "You heard him. Two other women have married into this family. Why do you have problems that they don't? And what you did today… we will never, ever forget that. If it weren't for Kristina… what would have happened to my girl…" Angela’s voice trailed off. "Oh God, I can't even bear to think about it."

"Mom… I…" Grace reached for her mother-in-law's hand, tears now streaming down her face.

"Get out when you're told! Whose life are you after now?"

Before Angela could say more, Sam lunged at Grace, his voice a snarl. He grabbed her by the arm and started dragging her toward the front door.

"Sam, let her go!" Diana cried, rushing after them. "Whatever it is, we can talk about it!"

But Sam ignored her, pulling Grace out onto the porch.

"Sam, please… just listen to me," she begged, stumbling in front of him.

"Get out!" he roared, shoving her through the open doorway. "And don't you ever let me see you again!"

He slammed the door shut.

Through the wood, Diana heard him say, "Diana, I respect you. And with all due respect, I'm telling you now: my life with Grace is over. I'll be starting the legal proceedings as soon as possible."

"Sam, just wait a minute," Diana said, her voice firm.

Sam, who had started up the stairs, stopped.

Diana's eyes swept the room. It was a full house. Sam's mother, Angela, was there. His younger brothers, Justin and Steve, stood with their wives, Daisy and Lucy. His sister, Sasha, was there too, along with her husband, Keith, and Keith's sister, Kristina. They were all just standing there, watching. The only one missing was the family patriarch, Marcus Mathew, who was away visiting the old family estate.

"What is it, Diana?" Sam asked, his patience gone.

"You don't want to hear her side of the story, do you, Sam?"

"No. I don't," he said, his voice cold. "She has always tried to tear this family apart. But today… today she tried to kill my sister and her unborn child. I tried to talk to her, so many times… but this… this was attempted murder. The murder of an innocent baby who hasn't even had a chance to live…" His voice broke, and he looked over at his pregnant sister, Sasha, who stood protectively cradling her stomach.

"Fine," Diana said, her voice trembling with barely suppressed anger. "I'll take her. I can't just throw her away like you have. But I'll say this, Sam: the Grace I know… she could never hurt anyone. She couldn't even bring herself to swat a fly, let alone… this. Time will reveal the truth. And I pray that one day, you won't be haunted by what you've done here tonight."

Diana wiped her eyes and turned to the door.

On the other side, on the porch, Grace had collapsed. She was slumped against a pillar on the cold floor, as if all life had been drained from her. Through it all, her left hand rested gently on her stomach.