Chapter 13
Antonio scrubbed and soaked in the bath for so long that Rufus was starting to wonder if he would ever come out.
At the mention of the Kaufman’s home, Antonio slowly raised his head, his eyes bloodshot.
This gave Rufus a jolt. “Mr. Kaufman, do you want me to call a doctor?”
“No need. I’m heading to the Kaufman’s home tonight. Pick up a gift on your way.”
Antonio rarely slept with Zelma. He needed to drink to numb himself before going through with it, convincing himself it wasn’t what he truly wanted.
But last night, lured by Zelma, he made a move for the first time and felt like he cheated on Grace.
Antonio got the movers to take Zelma’s bags away directly. He didn’t want to see her stuff as soon as he got home.
It took a few hours to fly from Benbury to Wintervale, and Antonio managed to grab some sleep on the plane.
At the Kaufman’s home.
Barrett was taking a stroll with Grace in the courtyard. Despite being in his seventies, he was still pretty lively.
Barrett said, “Once Antonio gets here, we can kick off our family dinner.
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“It hasn’t been easy for you these past few years, has it?”
After they chatted for a while, Antonio showed up just in time. Derek and Johnson, who were busy in the kitchen, shouted over to Barrett and Grace, “Dad, Grace, Antonio is here. We can have dinner.”
Apart from Antonio being the one he took in, Barrett had six kids. Grace’s dad was the youngest son of the family, which didn’t leave much of an age gap between Antonio and her.
“Antonio, you must be tired from the trip, right?” Barrett asked, serving Grace a piece of beef rib.
Antonio waved it off. “I’m fine. I brought some vintage wine from Benbury for Dad and chocolate cakes for Grace. She always asks for them this time of year.”
They were his adoptive father and the niece he had looked after for years. The Kaufman family didn’t read into it much.
“Antonio, you really put thought into this. Grace, you should thank Antonio,” Barrett suggested, grinning at Grace.
Grace stood up and took the gifts. “Thanks, Uncle Antonio. But that was years ago. I’ve been fortunate to have you tolerate me all these years.”
It was a normal thing for a niece to say, but Antonio felt a twinge. What he craved wasn’t just family ties.
“Alright, let’s dig in,” Barrett said, and everyone finally settled into their seats.
The feast was a spread of tasty dishes and drinks.
“Now that Dad’s got Grace keeping him company we’re all set
easy” Derek remarked, lifting his glass. Antonio mirrored the gesture.
“Yeah, we owe Antonio a lot. He’s really been there for Grace,” Johnson said.
Derek said, “I remember Antonio and Evan being close, right? So of course, he’d look out for Grace.”
The Kaufman family was all chatting it up.
Grace kept her eyes glued to her plate. When she glanced up, she locked eyes with Antonio,
She had seen that gaze before in the photos and videos. Zelma sent, the way Antonio looked at her.
Antonio had downed a bunch of drinks. Grace remembered when he got drunk and mistook her for Zelma, and she quickly lowered her head.
Barrett, feeling a bit tipsy, patted Grace on the shoulder. “Grace, make a toast to Antonio. Thank him for everything he’s done for you.”
Grace nodded, poured a drink, and drank it in one go. Antonio’s fists clenched, and he shook his head a little. If Grace had hesitated, he might have had a chance.
“Uncle Antonio, thanks for taking care of me all these thirteen. years,” said Grace.
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