I sigh, knowing now is the time to tell him all the bits that he’s never been told. All he was ever told about Heaven is that I loved her, but Margret’s interference tore us apart. And Rayna. He has no clue the truth about her. I could never tell him without proof.
“Grandfather, you should sit down. I’ve got some things to tell you that I should’ve told you long ago. I just— I never knew how.”
His gray brows furrow deeply as worry fills his dark eyes. He ambles his way back to his seat behind his desk while Heaven and I take a seat in the chairs in front of him.
I pass him the folder I’ve been carrying with me for days before I tell him everything. Everything I wish I’d told him years ago when I was just a boy.
I tell him all the dark, despicable things the woman did to Rayna and me when we were children. How after our father died, there was no one there to protect us from her vile cruelty. I tell him how her depravity cost Rayna her life and me years with the girl I loved and my son. Hereadsall the documents my people have spent years looking for, the proof all laid out before him in black and white. Rayna’s forged signature on the consent form. The money transfers to the doctors and lawyers and board members of his company to make sure everything went according to her plans. Even pictures of things I wish I could forget. Pictures that Inever knew existed.
My teeth grind and my hands clench the arms of the chair as I breathe through the bubbling anger. I remind myself it’s okay to be angry. That it needs to be acknowledged, but I can’t let it consume me.
Heaven has been quiet except for explaining her encounters. She sniffles and tears fall down her face, but she continues to sit up straight and strong. I reach for her hand, comforting her while finding my own.
“All of this is —disturbing and heartbreaking. I don’t understand why you never came to me though. I would’ve protected you. All of you.”
“I was a kid,” I shrug my shoulders like that should explain everything, “and she was your daughter. I wasn’t sure you’d believe me.”
“Ryder, I always knew you were a bomb ready to go off and Rayna was fragile. I just never understood why. I thought it was who you were. You, spirited, and Rayna, delicate.”
“I wish I had come to you. Maybe none of this would’ve happened,” I drop my head with guilt. “But I have the evidence needed to prove everything she’s done to you and to Rayna. You can take control of your company again.”
He gives a small chuckle. “Ryder, we have no idea what would’ve happened had you spoken up. But it’s probably safe to assume I would have steppedin,and things would’ve been much different. Rayna might still be here with us. You would not have spent so many years festering and boiling, being consumed by your anger.Butyou also might not have met Maddox who I know is so important to you, your other friends that I know you love, you may not have set off on this wonderful musical journey you’ve succeeded in, and you might not have this beautiful girl or have your son, that I’m getting impatient to meet by the way. Do not let the what ifs consume you or haunt you. None of this is your fault. It is your mother’s fault. And mine because I had no idea what kind of person my daughter really was. As far as my company, I was preparing to hand over the day-to-day to your mother when I had my stroke. Suppose that was a blessing, even if it’s taken us a long time to see.”
“Wait,” I lean forward with my hands on his desk. “You were going to retire?”
“I was going to turn everything over to Margret. Now, I suppose, I have to turn it over to you.” I feel all the color drain from my face. I don’t want to run this company, but I also don’t have time. Then my grandfather begins to roar with deep laughter. “I know this isn’t for you, Ryder. The company is your legacy. It will be yours one day, but for now, Oliver will run things. First, I need to set a meeting with the board. Heads will be rolling through all of London tomorrow morning.”
We spend the next couple of hours catching up. My grandfather couldn’t have lookedprouderwhen he saw Tyler. I didn’t expect the emotions of that to affect me so profoundly. They talked and laughed for hours. Tyler showed him what he’d learned on the guitar, which surprised me too. Seems like Angel had been spending some time teaching him while I was away. It made me happy to know my friends didn’t just forget about him while I was away, but it always gives me a twinge of sadness that I couldn’t be there to do it myself. I’d just have to make up for that too.
“You are a prodigy, my beautiful boy,” my grandfather laughed as Tyler played. “So much like your father. A virtuoso.”
“That’s what they call Uncle Maddox,” Tyler tells him with a grin.
“And they would be correct. Maddox has remarkable talent. How is he?” His eyes meet mine in question. The last time Grandfather saw the two of us, Maddox hadn’t long been through some things with Zoey.
“He’s getting help too,” I tell him. There’s no need to elaborate.
A little later, we are all sitting at the dining table as Diana sets out a meal far too elaborate for lunch. “I couldn’t help myself. You’re here, and you’ve brought your beautiful little family,” she sniffs. “I need to take advantage in case it’s another ten years.”
“We will just have to go see him, won’t we dear?” my grandfather chuckles. I raise my brows in curiosity. “What? Old men can find love again too. Can’t they, my dear?”
Diana blushes furiously when Grandfather kisses her hand.
“Okay then,” I laugh, not expecting that at all.
“Tyler, tell me. What is your favorite subject in school?” Grandfather asks. He’s been asking questions of everyone, determined to make this day count.
“I kind of like math,” Tyler tells him. “I win all the awards in my class, but fractions are hard.”
“That they are, but math will get you far in life. What about you, Matt? What is it you like?”
“Football,” Matt is quick to answer, making us all laugh. “I kind of like English Lit, too.”
The conversation continues until nearly all the food is gone. It’s nice just spending time here like a family. I find myself thinking about the next time we can do this. Though I’m still not a fan of London. Maybe I can convince mygrandfather to move to the U.S. since he’s retiring.
It’s nearly dark when a shrill shriek echoes through the house. My spine stiffens at the sound offive-thousand-dollarheels clicking across the marble floors.
Cold, unfeeling eyes land on me, then on my grandfather before they sweep the rest of the room. Her face turns the color of cherries when her eyes meet Heaven’s, then Tyler’s.
