Page 184 of Poison Vows

If anything happens, protect my granddaughter!

You owe me for saving your life!

I stare at the letter, but my vision is now obscured by tears.

All my life, the guilt I’ve carried over my grandfather’s death and the agony of feeling unloved and yet, here’s the evidence that I was loved right from the beginning.

“You see now why it had to be you?” Grandpa Armando’s voice speaks from far away but still close. “My friend is gone, but protecting you was still my duty. But who knew Alessio would completely assume that role on behalf?”

I don’t even know what to say.

“Now, I never thought you and Alessio would have a destiny of your own, but I wasn’t surprised when I realized. The danger to your life was only increasing, while Alessio’s health was deteriorating fast so I had no choice but to act.”

“What do you mean?”

“The four years you had to leave Westbrook Blues was because you and Alessio were both in danger. You were both just kids, us adults had to intervene. Don’t be agree with your brother and grandmother. They agreed with me after you almost died in that fire that was set to your library years ago.”

“Oh God!” I remember that fire! Emmett saved me and now I’m learning it was deliberate.

“I had to keep Alessio’s health a secret, while trying to save his life and also honor my promise to your grandfather. I had to do what I thought was best. One day, you’ll understand this.”

And with that, he rolls away in his wheelchair, leaving me to stew in the memories of the past.

CHAPTER 28

Ivy

That afternoon,feeling a heavy sense of melancholy and guilt, I make the stupid decision to visit Beverly and her daughter.

I don’t know what I was expecting to find. The two of them chained in a repugnant dark room, or maybe looking crazy and unhinged, but none of that is true.

Ty lets me drive the golf cart down to the guest house where I discover that the place is the size of a decent house and my mother and apparently, younger sister, are actually living well.

“What are you doing here?” Melissa snaps. “Here to gloat?”

“I can do that if you want,” I counter, to which she clamps her jaw shut and sinks into the plush sofa, eyeing Ty who doesn’t bother moving from where he stands like a permanent intimidating fixture.

“Ivy,” Beverly starts, her face taut, bare without a smidge of makeup like. In this appearance. She looks like she’s aged ten years over night, yet she still looks stunning. “I’m so happy you’re here.”

I ignore the melancholy in her voice. “You seem to be doing well.”

“Oh, stop with your high moral ground! You’re the one doing extremely well, with that huge rock on your finger!” Melissa seethes. “Must be nice knowing you can do whatever you want with that evil monster backing you. But if you think he married you because he loves you, think again. He will destroy you!”

“Melissa!” Beverly snaps, in a rare tone of annoyance with the daughter she raised with love and care. “Apologize to your sister right this instant! You think we’d be alive right now if it wasn’t for her? Apologize!”

Melissa refuses to apologize and runs out of the room and up the stairs. A few seconds later, we hear a door slamming shut.

Beverly winces and glances at Ty before she quickly apologizes for her daughter’s rudeness.

“With everything that’s happened lately, she hasn’t been in her right mind.”

“You mean when your lies and manipulations were exposed?” I interject, deciding not to sit. “It stands to reason that she learned from the best that when things don’t go her way, she can be sinister and evil, setting other people up for rape and all.”

“What?”

“Oh, she hasn’t confided in you about her deeds. Did you check your dearest daughter’s diary, Mother?”

Beverly’s facial expression blanches, then she slowly sinks into the chair behind her.

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