My Groom Chose His Mistress, Not Knowing I Was the CEO novel · Chapter 6 of 24

Chapter 6: Grandmother

My grandmother sat up in bed with a cashmere shawl on and her cane across her knees, waiting for me.

She was seventy-nine, and the stroke had slowed her words but not her mind.

"You're late," Eleanor said.

"I came as soon as the nurse called."

"I've been awake since noon. Sit."

I sat on the edge of the bed, and she took my hand in her good one and turned it over to look at my bare ring finger.

"You didn't wear it."

"I took it off in the car."

"Good."

The nurse stood in the doorway pretending to adjust a lamp.

"Tell me," my grandmother said.

So I told her.

The closet, the shirt, the guest room, the hour I listened, the housekeeper's lesson about questions.

I told her about the city hall steps and the cameras, and about the empty chair at the head of the boardroom table and the nameplate that read I. D. BANNON.

When I finished, she was quiet for a long time.

"You walked out of that house in the dress," she said.

"Yes."

"Your mother would have stayed. She stayed with your father for nine years after he showed her who he was." Her mouth tightened. "I never forgave myself for not telling her to leave."

"Grandmother."

"I'm saying you did better than she did. I'm saying I am proud of you."

That was the first time she had ever said it out loud.

I put my other hand over hers and couldn't speak.

"Now," she said. "Margaret Brantley."

"You know her?"

"I know her very well."

She looked at the nurse.

"Leave us, please. And close the door."

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