Lord… I never would’ve imagined this. It all happened so fast it almost didn’t seem real. Crystal? Of all people. It was crazy to see how something cracked open in her and she finally let the light in.” She was here to hurt me… instead, she found You. And I’m ashamed to admit it, but I never once prayed for her salvation. Not really. I prayed for strength to endure her. For patience not to snap. But not for her soul. You saw her, Lord. You always saw her. You loved her—even when I couldn’t.
The next words slipped out—quiet, but impossible to hold back.
“I’m sorry, Lord… for thinking You wouldn’t reach her. For thinking You couldn’t.”
She rested in the quiet, the weight of grace soft against her soul.
CHAPTER 35
Brycewas walking toward his office when he caught a glimpse of Crystal slipping out, a satisfied grin on her face.
His gut dropped.
What has she done now?
Anger flared hot in his chest. He quickened his pace.
He burst through the door—the opposite of quiet—startling Beth where she sat, still crying on the couch.
Rage poured off of him. He stormed across the room and dropped into a squat in front of her, hands shaking as he reached for her knees. Wide-eyed, Beth stared at him. She had never seen him like this.
“This has got to stop,” he said, eyes blazing. “I saw Crystal leaving. I am done.” His breaths came hard and fast, his voice barely under control.
“I’m talking to the board. She needs to be fired. Enough is enough.”
“Bryce, it’s okay,” Beth said softly, trying to interject looking at him with tenderness.
“No, it’s not.” His voice cracked louder than he intended. “These last two weeks have gotten out of control. I tried to let you handle it, but I’m putting a stop to it.”
He was too upset to notice her small smile, or the way her hand gently slid along his arm.
“She’ll stop now…” she tried again, her voice full of quiet certainty.
“No, she won’t. I know you didn’t want me to get involved, but please…” He reached up and cupped her cheek, leaning in close—his voice low, intense, ending on a whisper. “…Lizzy, don’t ask me to keep standing by while the woman I love is being treated like this. It’s killing me.”
“Bryce, listen to me…” Beth tried for the third time.
He cut her off again. “No, you listen. Women like her don’t stop until they find themselves escorted out of the hospital. I—”
“Bryce. Shut up.”
The same firm tone she’d used with Crystal silenced her husband just as effectively. He froze—really looking at her for the first time since he burst through the door. Beth’s expressionhad shifted—her tears were gone. Mischief and delight danced in her eyes. Bryce waited in silence.
“Yes, you saw Crystal leaving,” Beth said calmly. “I came in here to wait for your meeting to end and found her stretched out half-naked on this couch.”
Crystal had pulled this stunt before with him. He let out a breath, the kind that sank into his shoulders. He started to interrupt, but Beth placed a gentle hand on his chest—just enough pressure to still him. Her tone shifted, almost giddy.
“And I stood up to her. With boldness I’ve never felt before.” She paused, the smallest spark of disbelief still in her voice.
“And when it was all said and done…”
She leaned in just a little, eyes wide, voice soft with wonder.
“Bryce—she gave her heart to Jesus.”
That word settled over him like fog—soft but disorienting.
“Crystal accepted the Lord,” Beth said again, her voice bubbling with awe. “Right here. On this very couch.”
