Chapter 91 Disappoint Him

Chapter 91 Disappoint Him
\[Grant’s POV\]

My father’s voice echoes behind me as I move toward the large mansion in front of me and when we reach the front door, I shove it open.
Once inside, I move straight to the large staircase in the middle of the front alcove while Gianna silently lets me lead her along.
When we reach the stairs, we carefully take them one at a time and when we reach the second floor where the sleeping quarters are, I head to my grandfather’s room. However, as we reach, I suddenly stop moving and I’m left staring at the door in front of me.
“Grant,” Gianna murmurs as I just stand there staring. “Aren’t you going to go in?”
As she speaks, she gently grabs my hand that rests on her hip and she moves it, placing it at my side, making it clear that she feels it would be best that I go in alone.
“It’s fine,” she tells me as I shift my gaze to hers. “I’m certain that he wants to see you.”
“Maybe,” I chuckle. “But he isn’t exactly happy with me right now.”
I was certain that father told him about my rushed marriage and my going against the marriage that they wished for me and that alone left me standing here staring.
Was he in this condition because of the shock he was dealt by my choice? And if he was…what then?
“Grant,” Gianna repeats, drawing me out of my head. “It’s better to just go instead of overthinking it.”
“You’re right,” I murmur, appreciating the fact that her voice of reason is here with me. “You’re right.”
“Of course I am.” She smiles and then turns as my father and Rachel make their way toward us. “But are you sure you’ll be fine out here alone?”
“I’ll be fine,” she assures me. “I’m not so fragile that some harsh words and critiques will bother me.”
Nodding, I look past her at the two quickly closing the distance between us and as they watch, I cup the back of Gianna’s head and lean down and plant a kiss on her lips. As I do, I hear a hiss of shock escape Rachel, but my father remains silent.
“I’ll be quick.” I murmur against Gianna’s lips and then pull away. “While I’m in there, make sure to treat your guest with respect.”
At my words, my father’s gaze narrows and Rachel’s lips twitch into a frown, but they don’t say anything. Instead, they just stare and when I’m certain that Gianna should be okay, I push open the door in front of me and then head inside.
Inside the room is dim, warm, and has the strong scent of tobacco and when I shift my gaze toward the bed, I find the source of the smell.
Sitting up in bed with a pipe between his lips is my grandfather.
“Well,” I chuckle taking him in. “You look better than father let on.”
Feeling a bit of relief, I move toward the bed where my grandfather sits as his dark eyes take me in. Even in the dim light I can see the annoyance on his face, but honestly, I’m not surprised.
“Were you hoping I was worse off?” He asks as I pull up a seat beside him. “Is that the reason you did something so ridiculous?”
For a moment, I don’t respond as I take my grandfather in, noting how his usually well-combed hair is a mess, and how his face looks too pale, but aside from that, he seems fine.
“How is marriage ridiculous?” I ask. “Haven’t you been harping about my needing to get married since I was already in my thirties?”
“To a proper woman,” my grandfather snaps. “How could you go and marry your brother’s stepdaughter?”
“Because we met before she was that.” I point out. “What? Am I not allowed to be with the woman that I love since my brother managed to tie the knot with her mother first?”
“Don’t you dare lie.”
My grandfather’s voice is harsh and even as he speaks, but I know that he means business.
“How can you possibly say that you married for love when you barely know that woman?”
Because it was love at first sight. I respond silently. I knew that Gianna was the one I wanted from the very beginning, however, I don’t say that out loud.
“Who are you to tell me whether or not I’m in love?” I ask. “My emotions are my own.”
“Because I know you,” my grandfather says. “You are like me. You’re incapable of forming relationships that will put you or your well-being on the line.”
At his words, I flinch, because up until meeting Gianna I did live like that. I had to. Given my position and my place in this world, I had to protect that which was most important to me, but things were different now.
“I may have been like that,” I agree. “But now, I want this woman beside me.”
“Want her beside you,” grandfather repeats. “Then keep her beside you. It isn’t uncommon for men of our caliber to have a mistress on the side, but to have a normal woman as a wife isn’t acceptable.”
“Acceptable or not, she is already my wife and I have no intention of divorcing her.”
“And what about Rachel?”
Once again, I don’t speak as I try to reign in my anger over what he is asking me.
“Even if I didn’t get married, I wouldn’t marry her.”
“Grant!” My grandfather roars and then breaks into a coughing fit.
“Shit,” I hiss, looking around until I spot a cup of water on the bedside table. “Here, drink this.”
“Don’t baby me,” my grandfather manages between coughs. “I’m not incapable of doing for myself.”
Are you sure about that? I wonder, watching as he works to calm his fit. Because right now, I fear that you might be worse off than you’re trying to let on.
Even if he was acting like he was fine and whatever was wrong with him was miniscule, his appearance spoke a different story.
Even now, I can see the effort it takes him to take deep breaths and the way those breaths wheeze as they come in and out.
“Grandfather, maybe we should take you to the hospital.” I murmur, suddenly feeling worried. “Just to make sure that you’re alright.”