The rooftop bar was too nice for what this meeting deserved.
Grace stepped onto the terrace in a crisp ivory blazer, her heels silent against the polished stone. The D.C. skyline glimmered behind her, and seated at a table with two untouched glasses of wine ,perfectly staged for a photo opposite was Lillian Carter .
Former fiancée. Socialite. Schemer.
Liar.
Lillian looked up with a practiced smile. "Grace . You look… powerful."
"I am." Grace didn't sit.
Lillian tilted her head. "I was hoping we could speak privately."
"We are. But let's not pretend this is civil. You didn't invite me here to talk. You wanted to rattle me."
Lillian smirked "You've taken quite a lot lately, haven't you? The spotlight. The man. The narrative"
"You gave it all away," Grace replied coldly. "And now you want someone to blame."
The socialite leaned forward, her voice dripping sugar and venom. "Do you think he'll still want you when this all blows up? When the press turns on you again? You're a novelty to him, Grace . A thrill. But you and I both know men like Liam always come back to their own kind."
"You mean women who sell their ex's private life for headlines?" Grace asked sweetly. "Or women who think love is a transaction they never finished paying off?"
Lillian's smile faltered.
"You're right about one thing," Grace continued. "Liam does come back to what matters. And that's integrity. Purpose. Love."
She stepped closer, her voice low and sharp. "I built my life from scratch. I don't ride anyone's name. Not my father's. Not his. You think power comes from proximity. But real power.. , real power comes from being someone no one can dismiss."
Lillian stood abruptly, but Grace didn't flinch.
"You wanted a public takedown," Grace said. "But I'm not playing by your rules. I'm not filing lawsuits. I'm not leaking dirt. I'm just going to keep winning."
Lillian laughed bitterly. "We'll see how long that lasts."
Grace tilted her head "Try me."
She turned to leave , but then paused.
"One more thing," she said, glancing back. "If you ever come after Liam again, I won't be so polite"
And with that, she walked out , shoulders straight, heart steady, heels like war drums.
Downstairs, Liam was waiting by the car, arms crossed, eyes searching her face. "You good?"
Grace slid into the passenger seat with a smirk. "I didn't throw her off the roof. So yes, I'm excellent."
He laughed, leaning over to kiss her temple. "Remind me never to cross you."
"You'd never survive it" she teased.
And as they pulled away, the city spread out before them , hers now, too. Not because she claimed it. But because she earned it.
And no one , not a governor, not an ex, not the entire media machine could take that away