Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 126850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 634(@200wpm)___ 507(@250wpm)___ 423(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 634(@200wpm)___ 507(@250wpm)___ 423(@300wpm)
“Did she know why you were marrying her?”
“Yes. She knew I didn’t love her at that point, and I knew she was only marrying me for the status it would give her. It was purely transactional when we married.”
I looked down.
“I hated it,” he said. “I’ve grown to love Carmen, and she has me, and of course I would never regret Vincent. I love you both dearly, but that doesn’t mean I wish things were different. Your mother was—is—the love of my life, Gracie.”
“Is that why you were there? At the end?”
“Yes.” Dad swallowed and looked away. “It was where I should have been. I promised her I would be there until death parted us. I broke many promises, but I kept that one.”
Tears stung my eyes.
“I don’t want you to think badly of her. She did what she thought was right, even if we disagreed about it. She was the most selfless person I’ve ever known, and if anyone deserved to live a long life, it was her.”
“Do you think things would be different?” I asked. “If she was still alive?”
He inhaled deeply, then slowly let the breath out.
He knew what I was asking.
If she’d survived, would he still be married to Carmen?
“I can’t answer that question, and you know that,” he said after a moment.
“Can’t?” I asked. “Or won’t?”
Dad caught my gaze long enough to tell me it was the latter. “I will be having stern words with your grandmother about sharing that information with you.”
“Like she’ll care. She told me she thought Mum was stupid.”
“I came home to more than one blazing row between the two of them about it,” he said, bobbing his head. “They could hurl the most creative insults at each other, slam doors, then be baking together five minutes later. It was quite remarkable.”
I smiled. “Sounds like me and Granny.”
“I think that’s just Olive with everyone, to be honest. She usually yells at me. It’ll be nice to change it up and yell at her for once.”
A small laugh escaped me. “Dad? I’m sorry I ever believed what I did—and said all those horrid things to you when I was younger. That I ever thought you believed she wasn’t good enough for you.”
“Oh, Grace. Believe me when I tell you that I asked myself every single day how I ever tricked such a wonderful woman into falling in love with me.” His lips pulled into a smile. “It was very much the other way around.”
“I don’t know,” I replied softly. “Maybe, in a weird way, you were just perfect for each other.”
He smiled, glancing away. “Maybe. Promise me you won’t think differently of her?”
I shook my head. “Never. She always did what she thought was best for everyone, and it’s just another example of that. I’m sorry I blamed you.”
“Come here.” He put the glass down and beckoned me into his arms.
I went.
He wrapped me in a giant hug that drew tears to my eyes, and one spilled down my cheek as I hugged him back. “Do not ever apologise for how you feel. Your feelings are always valid, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. If they do, punch them in the face.”
I laughed, but it was a weird kind of half-laugh, half-cry that almost resulted in me snotting all over his shirt. “I’m using that as a defence if I’m ever arrested, by the way. You said I could, so it’s fine.”
“I’ll pay for your lawyer.” He chuckled. “As long as you don’t cry all over my shirt.”
“Can’t promise anything.”
“I’ll cheer you up—no family dinner this Friday.”
“Why not?” I pulled back, wiping under my eyes.
“One, I’m not sure it’s a good idea in light of this information,” Dad said, looking at me knowingly. “And, two, I heard from Violet this morning. Eric’s funeral is this Saturday afternoon, so we won’t be here on Friday.”
I pressed my lips together.
“I thought you and I might attend alone.”
“What about Carmen and Vincent?”
He shook his head. “I’ll tell Violet they aren’t available, and I’ll tell Carmen only you and I were invited.”
“Dad. What have we learnt about not telling the truth?”
“That sometimes lying is okay.” He grinned. “The Glenrochs will be there. Well, Stuart, Katie, and William will be.”
I swallowed.
“And I don’t think Carmen would enjoy reminiscing about our life before her,” he said, looking pointedly at me. “And now I have to know how you accidentally ended up at Freya’s wedding, because I know you aren’t dating William for real.”
I sighed. “Do you have any more of that whiskey?”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX – GRACE
Then and Now
“Whoa,” Amber breathed, staring at me with wide eyes. Her jaw was slack, and I imagined it was probably exactly what I’d looked like all day. “Is that true?”
“Granny has no reason to lie about Dad, especially in this situation. He comes out looking a lot better than Mum, that’s for sure,” I pointed out. “I just… it doesn’t make sense with the person I knew she was.”