Chapter 7
The instant Grant locked eyes with Fleming, he sensed danger in the air.
Still, he forced himself to speak. “Sorry, Ileana’s always been a bit headstrong. If she said anything out of line, please don’t take it to heart.”
Grant reached out, giving me a subtle look, silently pleading for me not to make a scene.}}
Fleming’s expression chilled in an instant. “And you are?“!
Over the years, Grant had often represented the Sinclair family at various events. As someone entrenched in business circles, there was no way Fleming didn’t know exactly who Grant was. It was clear to everyone in the room that Fleming was deliberately slighting him.
adop famil
Grant opened his mouth, ready to say he was my fiancé, but his gaze dropped to where Fleming and I were still holding hands. He suddenly remembered: up until now, he was nothing more than the Sinclair family’s adopted son. Nothing more, nothing less. Fleming’s lips curled into a mocking smile. “If you’re here to speak to me as the Sinclair family’s adopted son, I’m afraid that’s not enough.”
Grant’s face turned ashen, but he stubbornly met my gaze. “Ileana, are you really going to throw away your marriage over a moment of anger?”
His fists clenched so tightly his knuckles went white.
After so many years together, I could read his agitation as clearly as if it were written on his face.}
But why was he so desperate? Was it because I was about to marry Fleming? Or was he worried that the Sinclair fortune would slip through his fingers?
gave Grant a cool, measured smile. “Fleming and I care for each other–how could you call this a whim? Besides, the engagement has been set for months. Are you planning to crash the wedding?”
I’d said it on purpose, and just as I expected, Grant immediately shot back, “I would never crash your wedding–I…“)
His face darkened, jaw clenched. “I just can’t stand to see you toy with the Donovan family’s reputation. If you regret this later, you’ll drag the entire Sinclair family down with you!“>
At that, I couldn’t help but laugh loud. “That’s not your concern, is it? After all, your last name isn’t Sinclair.“}
When my father adopted Grant and the others, Grant had insisted on keeping his birth name. He’d refused to take the Sinclair name, and my father, never one to force anyone, had let him.
Only now did Grant finally look at me, really look. The eyes that had always brimmed with gentleness were now cold as ice, as if he wished he could cast me out of the house right then and there.
Fleming, seeing me draw such a clear line with Grant, squeezed my hand tighter, almost as if he was afraid to lose me again. Grant’s throat worked. Voice rough, he asked once more, “You’re really going to marry Fleming?”
A stern voice cut through the tension. “Grant, who gave you the right to harass Ileana?”
My father strode over, stopping by my side, his gaze fixed unflinchingly on Grant.
Grant’s shoulders slumped, any remaining words dying on his lips. “I’m sorry…”
Standing in front of my father, he always seemed to shrink, always felt he’d never truly belong. He was the one who’d been taken in, who’d lived on charity.
Once, I would have comforted him, reassured him again and again that Father was strict because he cared, that Grant was valued every bit as much as anyone else in the Sinclair family. That someday, he might even hold more shares than I did.
But all the comfort and luxury my from Cassidy.
father gave him, all the care I lavished on him, none of it could compare to a single ambiguous remark
All Cassidy had to do was sigh and murmur, “It’s hard, isn’t it, being taken in by someone else? I get it, Grant. I know how you feel. And just like that, resentment would start growing in Grant’s heart.
Grant’s gaze flickered between me and Fleming, then he forced a smile and turned to my father. “I let my Today’s Ileana’s birthday–and her engagement party. I haven’t even wished her well yet.”
worries get the better of me.
