Whatever was happening outside was awelemme distraction. Could they not realize that this was neither the plate at the time for such disruptions? Frustrationbubbled under my already stralised composure as I followed after fominic, who had just reassumed drandina not to worry.
When reached the front door, the scene before me made use poose. Alex stood three, his paw Hight, facing Adelaide, who inoked pale and fidgety, berayes darting around like a trapped animal. Deminde was already mid–sentence, histone sharp and myielding.
“Why the bell are you yelling, Alex?e demanded, bts frustrationcleat.
“I didn’t mean to interupt,” Alex replied, bis voler steady but them. “But I stepped away to take a call, and when I came back, Hound her,”—he gestured toward Adelaide “perping through the study door, ravesdroppling on what Lavome to be classified Information Tell me, was wrong to stop her?”
Adelaide’s face drained of color, her hands wringing the bem of her apris as she shifted her weight from a foot to the other, I stepped forward, trying to suppress the swirl of doubt and suspicion that instantly rose within me.
“Adelaide.“Ibegan carefully, my voice low but pressing, “is this true?”
ΤΗ
Hereyes darted to mine, then to Dominic, and finally back to Alex. For a second, she fine, as I debating whether to deity or deflect. Then she straightened, though the tremor in her voice betrayed her. 1 wasn’t eavesdroppling.” she stammered, glancing towand Alex. “I was coming to ask if anyone needed refreshments, but Mr. Sullivan misunderstood and accused me of spying.”
Hertene grew delensive as she addressed Alex formally, emphasizing his name like a slight
1 studied her carefully, the tension in her stance, the sweat glistening on her brow. Something didn’t sit right. But then I looked at Alex, whose rigid posture screamed certainty, and doubt began to creep in. Could he have overreacted? ispod the situation? His protectiveness, while appreciated, often bordered on
still, I kept my tone neutral as I addressed her. “You can go, Adelaide.”
She nodded quickly, her eyes darting between us one last time before crying off
As soon as she disappeared, Dominic turned his ice on Alex, stepping closer with his voice lowered but laced with wom. “You’re overstepping, Sullivan, just because I let you stay doesn’t mean you can act like you’re married to Raina orason to this family. You’re not
“Domini,” I said sharply, my patience thinning. “Enough.”
But Alex didn’t flinch under Dominic’s glare, Instead, he responded evenly, “I was protecting sensitive information, Dominic. Don’t mistake vigilance for overstepping.”
“Protecting?” Dominic scoffed, his laugh dry and humorless. “From the maid?”
“I’ve learned not to dismiss anyone too easily,” Alex replied, histone calm but firm.
The air between them cracked with train. I pinched the bridge of my nose, feeling a beadache bloom. “This isn’t the time for this,” I snapped. “Let it go, both of
Dominic shot Alexa final glare before turning and heading back toward the study. Alex’s shoulders relaxed marginally, but the set of his jaw told me he wasn’t letting it go completely.
Asi followed Dominic, my thoughts whined. Something about Adelaide’s demeanor nagged at me, but pushed it aside for now. There was too much to process alerady, and the lawyer was waiting.
The lawyer cleared his throat, a sound that immediately drew the room’s attention back to him. The murmurs that had been building from the guests in the back quieted as he adjusted his glasses and smoothed out the document in his hand.
***As stated in the will,” he began, his voice even but carrying a weight that made the words settle heavily the room, “all major assets, including properties,
invexmetts, and controlling shares in Graham Industries, will go to Atau Graham”
A hush fell over the room. I felt the eyes of everyone present land on me. My hands, clasped tightly in my lap, grew clammy under the sudden weight of theit gazes. My heartbeat pounded in my ears, a mixture of shock, apprehension, and it was honest with myself–an overwhelming sense of responsibility.
The lawyer continued, undeterred. “Miss Graham will be responsible for running the household, ring its pkeep and management, and she is tasked with doing so alongside her brother, Dominik Graham, who will assist her as co–executor of the estate.”
I glanced at Domine, whose jaw was set as he gave me a small nod. it wasn’t approval or disapproval—it was admowledgment. An understanding between us that this was now ours to bear…
The lawyer adjusted his glasses again, pausing briefly before continuing. “Additionally, Raina will be tasked with the care and well–being of her grandmother, Edith Graham.”
i swallowed hard, blinking back the prickling sensation behind my eyes. Of course, I would look after Grandma. That part was a given. But hearing it stated so plainly, as though it were just another line item, made it feel…heavier.
Finally, the lawyer’s expression softened slightly, as though the next part of the will cared a more personal weight. The last provision states,” he said, his tone grotler now, “To my beloved granddaughter, Raina, i entrust not only the legacy of the Grahamn name but the hopes of its future. I pray she will find a man who truly loves her, who will stand by her side and Lift the Graham name even higher than where it stands today.”
1/2
The silence that followed was deatening. I felt the weight of the words settle over me like a suffocating blanket. My chest tightened as tried to process what my grandfather had written. A man who inly loves me? The bitterness pose before Leould wapperss it. Hadn’t already trusted the wrong ment
Dominic cleaned his throat, breaking the silence. “Well,” he said groftly, his voice cracking slightly. “Grandpa abways hallaway with words.”
A soft, abnost bittersweet chockle tippled though the room. But couldn’t win. My eyes trusted anthe Lawyer, as though staring at him would help me make
see the knot et emotions tangled inside me
That concludes the reading,” the Lawyer said, glancing around the mom. “If there are any questions or concerns regarding the provisions, you may contact me
a nodded numbly, thought had no questions. Only an overwhelming, sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.
After the reading of the will, stayed by helping Grandma pet settled in for the wight. Her shoulders were heavy with grief, and her every movement seemed slower, bundened by the lou, once 1 tucked her into bed, ensuring she was as comfortable as possible, I stepped into the hallway and leaned against the wall fora
moment
Lould hear the soft munte Dominic speaking to the last of the guests downstairs. The house, despite being full of prople, felt unbearably empty, Grandpa’s absence loomed like a shadow in every come
Ineeded a moment to myself. And more than am thing, Ineeded to talk to the kids. Ineeded to hear their voices, even if just for a minute, to remind myself why I was holding it all together.
As I walked toward the back of the house, I caught a faint smell watting through the air. It was sharp and acrld, something I hadn’t expected–cigarette smoke? My brows knitted together and followed the scent outside.
There he was Alex stood near the side of the house, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a lit cigar. The sight of him with it dangling from his fingers caught
“Alex,” I called out, crossing my arms as approached. “Since when do you smoke?”
He stiftened at the sound of my voice, then quickly dropped the cigar onto the ground, crushing it under his heel. He didn’t meet my eyes as he mumbled, “I don’t. It’s justamoocasional thing
n occasional thing?” 1 repeated, my tone sluptical. “Since when?”
He shrugged, still avoiding my gaze. “It’s nothing just something to clear my head.
“Clearyourbead?” I pressed, my trown deepening. “You’ve never smoked before, Alex. This is norat,”
Finally, he glanced at me, his expression closed off. “Why are you here, Raina?” he asked, his tone shifting abruptly
I could tell he didn’t want to talk about it, and while I wanted to push further, I decided to let it go for now. “I wanted to talk to the kids,” I said instead,
softening my voice.
alex glanced at his watch. “It’s late,” he said, his tone almost apologetic. they’re asleep by now. Tomorrow would be better.”
His words stung, more than I wanted to admit. Tomorrow felt so far away, and I missed them desperately. I tried to mask the disappointment on my face, but somehow, Alex picked up on it.
“They’re sate,” he added quickly, his voice genter now. “You don’t have to worry. They’re fine, Rapa.”
Tietout a small sigh, looking away. “I know,” I said quietly, though my chest ached with longing. “I just just wanted to hear their voices, that’s all.”
He took a step closer, his presence both steady and comforting. “I’ll make sure you can talk to them first thing tomorrow,” he promised.
I nodded, offering him a small, tired smile. “Goodnight, Alex, Isaid, turning to leave.
“Baina,” be called after me, his voice hesitant. I paused, glancing over my shoulder.
“Do you really!
y believe Adelaide
elaide’s excuse from earlier?” he asked, his i
is brow furrowed.
Befor I could answer, Dominic’s voice broke through the tension “Believe what?” he asked, stepping out from the house and joining us.
Alex pulled out his phone and began typing. A moment later, he showed it to me and Dominic. Someone could be listening. Let’s find a spot to talk
Out loud, Alex asked, “Raina, how about we take a dive? Get some fresh
thecitated, my instinct to decline waring with the growing need to untangle the knots forming around us. “Fine,” I said finally, adding with a small smick, “but don’t do anything stupid. I still hate you, you know.”
Alex’s tiges quilted up into a faint smile, but the light didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
The words that rolled off my tongue so easily made me feel a twinge of dishonesty. Did I really still hate him? Maybe 1 wanted to. Maybe it would have been easier. if I did. But the truth was becoming harder to ignore. Everything Alex had been doing lately–the way he was protecting my kids, his calm but determined presence -it was malding it harder to maintain my icy exterior.
1 pushed the thought away quickdy, telling myself the drive wasn’t about emotions or recondling. It was a calculated move, a way to sell the idea that we weren’t talking about anything important if anyone was watching or listening.
נות
As we tumed to leave, Dominic’s voice cut through the night air. “I don’t trust y
you enough to let her go with you alone, Alex.”
His footsteps were in as he closed the distance between us, les arms crossed tightly over his chest.
Alex held op his hands, the hint of a slik tugging at the comter of his moth. “Fair enough,” he said smoothly. “You’re welcome to join us, Dominic
ing hung in the ate. Alex finally broke it, his voice measured but pointed. “You didn’t
The car ride was tense, the silence almost deafening as the weight of everything awer me earlier, Rama.”
1 blinked, tuming to look at him, though his eyes were fed on the mad ahead. “Anwer what?”
He glanced at me briefly, then back at the road “About Adelaide. Do you think I’m wrong about her?”
Thesitated, crossing my arms. “It’s possible you’re wrong. We don’t have proed. What if she really was just checking if amone wanted something to drink?*
Alex let out a sharp breath, a mix of ftration and restraint. “I didn’t say anything in front of her because I didn’t want her to know that I knew she’s working with Nathan ”
His words hit me like a brick wall. My stomach dropped. “What?”
Dominic, who had been silent in the backseat, leaned forward, his voice rising. “What the hell did you just say? Adelaide? Worlding with Nathan? That’s not
Ales kept his voice steady, thought could see the tension in his grip on the steering wheel. “It is possible. And I’m telling you, it’s happening. Did you notice Nathan at the burial today?”
My heart skipped a beat. “He was there?”
Alex nodded grimly. “1 saw him watching from a distance. And I also saw Adelaide walkover to him. They had a conversation”
Dominic were under his beeath, his voice a mix of disbelief and anger. “Why the hell would she be talking to him? She wasn’t asked to go anywhere near him.”
“Exactly,” Alex said, histone firm. “Why would she stop to speak to Nathan unless she’s working with him?”
The realization hit me like a freight train, my mind racing to piece it all together. Adelaide, the maid who had been in the house for years, the one I had trusted, was possibly conspiring with the man who wanted to destroy my family.
“Do you think. “I swallowed hard, my voice shaking slightly. “Do you think she’s the one who poisoned Grandpa?”
Dominic’s jaw tightened as he sat back, his arms crossed. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
Angry blurred my vision, the betrayal cutting deeper than I could have anticipated. “Drive to the hospital, Alex,” I said, my voice breaking but laced with determination
Alex hesitated for a m
ta moment, glancing at me out
g at me out of the corner of his eye. “Raima
“Now!“” I snapped, my voice rising. “I need to talk to the doctor. Tneed to know!
Alex didn’t argue. The car lurched slightly as he pressed harder on the gas, the tension inside the vehicle suffocating as we sped toward the hospital.
