The Billionaire’s Hidden Heiress
Chapter 112

Grayson's POV

My Grandfather's facial expression was shrewd as he sat down in his chair and regarded me. "Why do I have the feeling you were about to tell me something I wasn't going to like back there?" he asked as soon as the door was shut behind me. He was never one to mince words, my grandfather. "Grandfather you know I respect you and this has nothing to do with my father, but I don't want the company anymore."

His brows shot straight up. "Don't want the company" he repeated in a dangerous tone "Since when Grayson? That's always been on the forefront of your mind. It was the very reason for you getting married in the first place" he said indignantly.

My expression was neutral "It was" I agreed without rancor "but things changed Grandfather. I no longer desire the company or perhaps it would be more honest to say it's not as important to me as it once was."

"Evidently," My grandfather said, eyeing me carefully "things have changed a lot since the last time we saw each other properly. You once told me nothing would change your mind when it came to getting your hands on that company, that I would have to rip it from your cold dead fingers if it came down to it. So what's changed?" he was blunt and to the point.

I hesitated. His eyes narrowed. It felt like he could see right through me. "This has to do with your wife," he said calmly "doesn't it? She's not just a contract wife to you anymore is she? You knew she was a Grant, didn't you? You weren't exactly shocked by the announcement, but then neither was I" he divulged. I stared "You knew."

He snorted "Of course I knew, use your brain. I'm good friends with Mr Grant, even though we are business rivals. I might have only seen pictures of Flair, but I knew who she was the second you introduced me to her. I didn't know what her game plan was on keeping her identity secret but I wasn't about to out her."

"Flair isn't just a contract wife anymore," I said tightly, sitting down on the chair and regarding my grandfather with steady eyes "I don't want the company being something that comes between us."

"She's more important to you than the company," Grandfather said, tapping his chin with his finger, his eyes beginning to sparkle slightly.

I inclined my head "She is. I'm hoping to have the kind of marriage my father could never have in his heart to provide for himself. I want the type of marriage that is going to last and I don't think I can have that and the company at the same time. Not without losing one or the other and I refuse to lose Flair" I told him steadily "She's worth more than the company. She's worth more than ten companies."

My tone was resolute. Final.

My grandfather looked taken aback but pleased at my declaration. I sighed "Charlotte is determined to have the company and she's just told us she's pregnant so what I and Flair have agreed to might be moot anyway." "Maybe" Grandfather's voice was bland "but I would hate for you to change your mind later and already be out of the race so to speak."

"Charlotte's already won," I said evenly, facing my grandfather who remained unblinking "and who knows, maybe we're doing her a disservice. Please visit Jo b nib.com and search the book title to read the entire book for free. She might prove us wrong and do wonderful things with the company."

My voice was tinged with doubt. Grandfather snorted. "Your sister is a spoilt brat who has never had to work hard for anything her entire life and you want to put the company in jeopardy by leaving it in her hands?" his voice was mocking "She's going to have that company circling the drain within a year if it lasts that long."

I shifted uncomfortably on the chair "I can't be the one to save the company grandfather. Not if it is going to cost me my marriage."

He exhaled "So different to your father" he commented as I stiffened "Your loyalty to the same woman is commendable. But does she feel the same way about you?"

"We have already told each other we love each other," I said without embarrassment "and Flair has not given me a reason to doubt her. My life might not be the one that you foresaw for me, I know you don't wholeheartedly approve of me being a lawyer, but it is one that I am happy with" I told him earnestly.

"I wanted you to have a life that was filled with meaning and purpose," Grandfather said sharply "not partying and recklessness like your father. How you went about it was not my business. The fact you became a lawyer makes me proud," he said as I stared at him "it's a difficult job and you continue to approach it with high morals. If I have ever given you a reason to believe otherwise then I apologize Grayson," he said, exhaling deeply "I have only ever wanted the best for you and Charlotte."

I saw him glance at a photograph of my father when he was a boy, his eyes glistening with what I suspected might be tears. "Your life is what you decide to do with it. But I ask this of you" he said grimly as I stared at him slack-jawed "Do not let Charlotte become aware of your giving up the company, not just yet. If she knows she has it for certain, she'll stop trying and she'll become lazy. I want to see her fight for the company. I want to see her come up with a plan for what she intends to do with it. I want to see some sort of spirit within her and not just a triumph because you forfeited. Can you do that for me?" he asked.

I half suspected he was still hoping I would change my mind. I inclined my head in agreement and Grandfather got smoothly to his feet. "Excellent. Let's go and check on your wife then, shall we" he suggested and I nodded in agreement.

We made our way back towards the living room, where Flair was patiently waiting for us. "Forgive me for being so rude," Grandfather told her as she shook her head and smiled at him "but I had something I needed to discuss with Grayson. Where did everyone else go?"

"I think that Charlotte might be unwell," Flair said tactfully "and they are keeping her company."

"Ah," Grandfather said dumbly "what a shame."

"Perhaps it's best we go, considering that everybody is out of sorts" I suggested smoothly.

Flair rose to her feet. Grandfather looked disappointed.

"I had a lovely time Grandfather," Flair told him, hugging him tightly "I appreciate the meal and the company. Thank you so much for the invitation."

"You're welcome. Tell your father hello from me" he said graciously and shook my hand "And Grayson don't forget what I said to you. Silence is the word for now. I respect your decision" he said to both of us, Flair wrinkling her brow "even if I don't fully understand it. I wish you both well" he added.

He escorted us to the door. I helped Flair put her coat on, her body shivering as the cold air hit us. "Give our best to Charlotte and Johnathon," Flair said sweetly.

Grandfather snorted "You are too nice. I much prefer it when you're honest and tell me to let them know to go to hell" he muttered shaking his head and making Flair giggle. "Goodnight" he called as we made our way back towards the limousine.

"That wasn't so bad" Flair commented as we slid into the backseat "It was almost pleasant" she added crinkling her nose.

I laughed as the door shut and the driver got inside "Flair are you sure you're okay?" I asked peering at her "I know it can't be easy knowing that Charlotte is pregnant and that your ex-husband is going to be a father. It's okay to be upset" I said, as her face drained of color, "you don't have to keep a mask on for me. If you're hurting" I continued as her lower lip began to quiver "then I'm hurting too."

Just like that it was almost as though a dam had broken open. She burst into tears as I held her tight against me, feeling the softness of her hair against my face, my hands reaching up to hold her, another hand stroking her hair as she leaned against me, her face contorted into an expression of pain that was almost haunting to bear witness to.

"It's stupid" she sobbed "but part of me is jealous. I hate him" she confessed "I hate that he's moving on with his life and getting to be a father and we, we didn't get to do the same" she sobbed more.

"Honey it's alright, everything is fine" I assured her, as she looked at me with watery eyes "If you're that concerned or worried, then we can see a doctor if you want. Would that help you to overcome your worries about the whole pregnancy thing?"

She looked up at me and bit her lip before slowly nodding. "I'm sorry" she whispered "but I have to know Grayson. I want so badly to have a child with you and now I don't know if it's possible. I mean, what if I can't..." she burst into another round of fresh tears that wracked her body and made my chest tighten.

Did she think I would abandon her if she was barren? That I was that much of an asshole? How long had she been hiding behind that forced smile of hers in grandfather's house? My heart broke for her.

"Sweetheart, no matter what happens," I told her, cupping her cheek and forcing her to look me right in the eyes "no matter what the doctor tells us, I'm not leaving you. There are other options, the most important thing to me is that I still have you. Everything else is just a bonus" I said honestly as she sniffled and wiped the tears from her eyes.

"I love you Grayson" she whispered.

"I love you," I told her as I laid her head on my lap and stroked her hair "And nothing is going to break us apart" I promised her.

Nothing but an act of god himself would come between us I vowed, holding my wife tightly and glancing down at her.