Try Begging - Chapter 133.2
“Here, take this as well.”
The woman, who introduced herself as Mary Baker, took out an assortment of snacks from her bag and kept offering them to Grace.
“Don’t you find train journeys always exciting?”
Grace nodded as she accepted a box of chocolates from Mrs. Baker. In reality, it was merely a polite lie. Ever since her escape from Abbington Beach on an early morning train, train journeys had lost their thrill.
Mrs. Baker was talkative. She worked as a maid at a mansion and was on her way home. She lamented humorously that she had to purchase a first-class ticket because it was the only one left in her rush to return to her hometown.
Grace had also thought that she didn’t seem the type to afford a first-class ticket.
“Where is Sally headed?”
She used the pseudonym Grace had habitually used.
“I’m going to see my family.”
Instead of a destination, Grace mentioned her purpose.
“Leaving your husband while pregnant to travel such a long distance… tsk, tsk…”
One might usually assume she was traveling to meet her husband, but Mrs. Baker naturally assumed ‘Sally’s’ ‘husband’ would be in Winsford.
Grace absentmindedly looked at the chocolate box she had been holding. It looked expensive, though no price was written down.
As she lifted the box and brought it close to her nose, she laughed when she faintly smelled that man’s perfume on its corner. She opened the box and popped a chocolate into her mouth, smiling at Mrs. Baker.
Of course, there was no need for a thank you.
She knew it.
A maid, really? More like a soldier.
Grace had been suspicious since entering the train station lobby. When she lined up at the ticket counter, a woman standing by the kiosk approached with a stride and pace that were almost militarily precise, as if training had been ingrained in her.
Moreover, someone was supposedly visiting their hometown after a long time carrying just a handbag, without gifts or large luggage. It seemed perfect for tailing but too sloppy for deceiving a target.
Unaware of Grace’s suspicions, ‘Mrs. Baker’ asked kindly.
“Is this your first child?”
“Yes, it is.”
“I remember when I was pregnant with my first…”
“I’m both excited and scared.”
Grace intentionally smiled warmly and acted friendly.
“But I’ve heard giving birth is incredibly painful. Is that true?”
“Oh… it’s painful. It’s painful, but the joy is so overwhelming…”
She also acted a little naively so the other side would let down their guard.
“I wonder if it’s hard. Even if it’s not full term, traveling this far in your condition can’t be easy.”
“You’re right. My stomach has been tight all day. I’m worried.”
In truth, her stomach had been better for a while.
The woman’s face darkened, and she began to ask various questions. If there was blood on her underwear or if she could feel the baby’s movements.
“Then, it might just be fatigue. You should take it easy and don’t push yourself too hard…”
The woman’s questions and advice oddly smelled of professional knowledge. Perhaps a nursing officer? It was common for women still in the military while in her age to be nursing officers.
Grace had thrown out a bait, and the woman bit. Could that man be on this train somewhere? The thought occurred to Grace. She dismissed the woman’s suggestion to lie down comfortably and stand up.
“I need to use the restroom…”
After stepping into the corridor, she hesitated.
What if she encountered him?
Wandering from end to end of the carriage could lead to an awkward moment if she actually met Winston. He couldn’t capture her yet, but he’d have to pretend to capture her. And Grace, who pretended not to know his plans, would have to convincingly escape.
“Ah, excuse me…”
Just then, the conductor entered the first-class carriage, and she approached him, leaning on the swaying train’s wall.
“I’m an officer with the Western Command. I need to report to Captain Leon Winston immediately, but I’m not sure which compartment he’s in.”
Doubting whether he’d believe a young pregnant woman was an officer, she adopted a stiff military tone.
“But it’s difficult for me to search for the carriages in my condition…”
As she glanced at her stomach, the conductor nodded understandingly.
“I’ll check for you right away.”
“Ah, wait a moment.”
Grace stopped the conductor, who was about to start checking the nearby compartments.
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