“Difficult.”
For the first time, he edges to the side, so he can stare at me and I note the deep lines of sadness wrinkling his otherwise unlined face, despite his age.
“She married your father because she knew it would anger me. What can I say? She was spiteful, vindictive, and has never given me a reason to change my opinion.”
“Why, to spite you. Didn’t you like him?”
“No,” he states simply. “He was a cruel man, and his reputation preceded him. He had been married twice for personal financial gain, which was the story around town, anyway. Both his wives died, and it appears that your mother saw her chance and encouraged his attention.”
“So why did she leave when she had what she wanted?”
“I’m not sure. You tell me because you lived with your father.”
“I take your point.”
My memories of my father are bitter ones. There was no love inside him, merely business, and I’m relieved to discover mygrandfather is the opposite of that. I already realize that, and I’ve just met him, which settles my mind and my heart a little.
“It appears that history may be repeating itself.”
He points to my finger, and I’m uneasy.
“I married him for my reasons, not his.”
“And his are?”
There’s a hint of anger in his tone, and I shrug. “He wants my inheritance.”
“And you’re good with that?”
“I would be if there was anything left of it, but from my understanding, my father was bankrupt as they say, and the Diamond Dynasty owes more than it produces.”
“Is he aware of that?”
“Yes.”
“Then forgive me for asking, why go ahead with the marriage?”
“Because of what he can give me and not the other way around?”
“Which is?”
I shrug, wondering whether to reveal the depths my soul has plunged to regarding my revenge.
“He has certain talents I can use to my advantage. Connections even, and in return, it unlocks my sister’s inheritance from their families.”
“Of course, the banking heiress and the hotel dynasty. Your father was a shrewd man and used his daughter’s inheritance to keep the wolves at bay.”
“You are also a shrewd man, Grandfather.”
His low chuckle makes me smile.
“So, together Joseph and I are righting a few wrongs. If I marry him and produce a child, it unlocks the trust funds set up for the three of us. They get their inheritance and I get my?—”
“Your inheritance?”
He sounds merely curious, and I shake my head.
“I don’t have one, remember.”