Page 24 of Lorenzo's Claim

I hurried out to the garden, my grandmother’s face lighting up the second she looked up from her book. A smile spread across her lips, one that could brighten my day in seconds.

“Vot moya devushka.” She held her arms open as I wrapped mine around her. “Come and sit beside me. I was just reading to your grandfather.” She glanced up at the clouds, just as she always did when she read out loud.

“His favourite story again?”

“Of course, and I have to admit, over the years it’s become mine, too.” She patted the empty seat beside her. I lowered myself onto it.

“These are for you,babushka.” I handed her the flowers, watching her inhale the fresh scent.

“I love them, thank you.” She turned to me, giving me her full attention. “I’m sorry I wasn’t at your wedding, darling, but I couldn’t witness something I didn’t agree with.” She sighed, placing her hand on mine. “I wanted to see you get married for love, not for an alliance.”

“You know Papa always gets his own way. As does Lorenzo, or so he likes to think.” I scoffed.

“Exactly. You have to let himthinkhe gets his own way. Let him believe he is the one on top when really you’re the one determining everything.” She spoke from experience, and I admired that. “Your grandfather was my arranged marriage. Luckily, he was different, but I made it clear to your father that I never wanted you to go through that.”

“I don’t think he listened. Neither did Mama.”

“Your mother doesn’t know how to say no to your father. She’s always been the same, darling. If he wanted you to marry Lorenzo, she was never going to get in his way. You and I both know that.” She was right, I did. “Yourdedushkataught you well, my darling, and if that man puts a foot out of line or harms one hair on your head, you do what yourdedushkataught you. No second guessing, just gut the bastard.”

“Babushka!” My mouth fell open. I had never heard her speak this way. She was always the softer one out of my grandparents.

“You are my angel, and if you don’t do what’s needed, then I will.” Lorenzo hadn't done anything that warranted being gutted alive, but it was good to know she had my back no matter what. “I’ve heard stories about that man. I know he still holds a grudge for your father too. Just be careful. I don’t trust him. Not yet, anyway. Not until he shows me he’s different.”

“You’ll be waiting a really long time then,” I teased.

“You know I don’t have that long left, my darling. But I hope that maybe, just maybe, he can show me why he deserves you.” She squeezed my hand tightly, her words causing my heart to physically ache as I fought back the tears. “Oh, my angel, please don’t get upset.”

“I’m sorry,babushka.It’s just hard to think of my life without you.” I sighed, knowing that when she’s gone, I’d be alone.

“Your life will move on. You’ll have children of your own to love and cherish. You’ll see how they brighten your life, just likeyou did mine. I know I am only yourbabushka,but you lit up mine and your grandfather’s life the second you came into it.”

“I love you.” I rested my head on her shoulder as she wrapped her arm around me.

“And I love you.” We sat in silence for a moment, enjoying the scenery and each other’s company.

“You do know I’ll never have children with that man, don’t you?” I scrunched my nose up in disgust.

“If you don’t want to have children with him, that’s your choice. Don't let your family or anyone else bully you into giving him an heir. Only you know what’s right and what’s not.”

“I won’t. Marrying him wasn’t my choice, but what happens from here on out is.” I smiled, thinking of the many ways I could kill Lorenzo and make it seem like an accident.

That would be fun.

“That’s my girl,” she whispered. “Never forget who you are. Never let that man dull the sparkle I adore.”

“I won’t, I promise,” I assured her. I always kept my promises to her. She knew that.

As the sun set beyond the trees, I realised I had been out all day. Lorenzo was well and truly going to lose his shit when I got home, but I didn’t care. He could throw as many tantrums as he wanted. It wouldn’t change anything.

“Ana, sorry to bother you both. I just wanted to check if you were okay,” Chad piped up from beside us.

“Chad, sweetheart, thank you for bringing my girl to see me again. Sorry, I didn’t realise you were waiting for her outside.” My grandmother stood gingerly as she wrapped her arms around him in a warm embrace.

“Don’t apologise, Evelina. It’s my pleasure.” He caught my eye over her shoulder, smiling softly.

“Maybe you can teach her husband how to be a gentleman.” She giggled, releasing him.

“Okay, that’s enough. Let’s get you inside for dinner.” I sighed, changing the subject swiftly.

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