Page 111 of Adoration: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 2)

“Are you ready, Liberty?” he asked, but I swore his tone was basically commanding me to get a move on.

I locked eyes with his cold blue gaze. “Don’t you dare boss me around, Alexander.”

I didn’t know why I always wanted to fight him on everything. I was despairing over the news I learned this afternoon, and at the same time I could go to battle with him. I wanted and needed his comfort, not his barking orders.

I felt like we were having a staring contest, when his grandfather interrupted it with laughter in his voice.

“Seems Alexander has found his match,” he claimed. “Oh, I look forward to my great-grandchildren from you two.”

I snapped my head to him. “What?” I asked.

“I hope you plan on giving me some great-grandchildren,” he cackled happily. “I love Brandon, but I would love to have many great-grandchildren.”

The first thought that hit me was that I wasn’t on birth control and it hadn’t even crossed my mind.

The second thought that hit me was that his grandfather wasn’t sick.

“Mr. Caldwell,” I started but he quickly cut me off.

“Grandfather, dear. Call me Grandfather,” he corrected me.

I debated whether this was even wise to ask. “Are you ill?”

He looked at me like I was crazy. “No, my dear. Besides normal old age side effects, I am in excellent health.”

I swore I saw red at that moment. All the events of the day and emotions I tried to keep under control came crashing tenfold. My blood boiled, my hands shook, my ears were ringing as I turned to Alexander. Lies, ghosts, and shadows swirled all around two of us.

There was no regret, no apology, no emotion at all on his face. He fucking lied to me. That son of a bitch had been lying and manipulating me since day one.

“If you don’t want to have children,” his grandfather interrupted my furious glaring. “That’s ok. It is your decision. I was just hoping for the next generation.”

My eyes didn’t waver from Alexander while I answered his grandfather. “Oh, I will have children one day. But it won’t be with a manipulative, lying-”

“Liberty,” Maxim stopped me and he hurriedly walked over to me, taking my hand. “You have to get ready.”

He literally dragged me out of the room while I stared at Alexander in fury.

“Asshole,” I mouthed to him as Maxim pulled me out of the dining room and shut the door behind us.

“Did you know?” I hissed at Maxim.

He continued dragging me away from the dining room till I shook his hand off of me.

“Did you know, Maxim?” I repeated.

“I didn’t know what he told you,” he justified. “But I knew he’d find a way to persuade you to marry him.”

“Why?” I didn’t understand anything anymore. My hands were shaking as I moved a piece of loose strand from my face.

“Liberty, he’s my brother,” he started. As far as justifications, that sucked. “He has his ways and he doesn’t tell me anything. He cares about you and Brandon. He wanted to help you keep Brandon. That is what you wanted, right?”

“Yes.” My voice shook slightly. Today was too much. “But tell me something. And don’t lie to me. Could he have ensured I got custody of Brandon without marrying him?”

Maxim didn’t even have to answer the question. The guilt was written all over his face.

“Oh my God.” With both hands on my head, I shook my head in disbelief. “He could have helped me without all this fiasco! I can see it all over your face, don’t bother denying it.”

“Liberty, he kept this family together for as long as I remember. And you and Brandon are now a part of it. Marriage to him was the only way he could have foolproof assurance that you’d keep Brandon, without any variable risks he couldn’t control.” I listened to his words in disbelief. “I’m not saying his methods or the way he went about this was the right way. Actually, I’m surprised he was a bit sloppy by leaving a few loose ends since he is always very meticulous in his plans. But he wanted to help you.”

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