Page 117 of Adoration: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 2)

Grandfather and I found ourselves on the dance floor.

“We’ll do an old people dance,” he spoke softly. “My old hips can’t move as quickly.”

I chuckled softly. “Who are you calling old? Not you!”

We went a few steps without words. I had a feeling he wanted to talk, but I didn’t know what was okay to tell him. I didn’t want to risk pissing Alexander off completely and making things with Brandon even more complicated.

“You did the right thing,” he spoke up finally.

I wasn’t sure what he was talking about. I met his eyes that were so similar to his son’s and Alexander’s.

He continued, “You did the right thing to kiss him before leaving him with the group of those people. Although I am sure you’d rather wring his neck right now.”

I totally wasn’t going to answer that one.

“Do you remember the day we met?” he asked and I looked at him in surprise.

“Yes, I do.” It felt years ago although it was barely two months ago. “You said I looked like my mother.”

“You do,” his voice was gentle. “Very much like your mother.”

I guess he was right back when he told me about mom being from this Glasgow family. Alexander’s father confirmed it.

“Tell me about this Glasgow family,” I asked although I wasn’t sure whether I should know this or not. So far, the truth was worse than not knowing.

“Lily was their only child. They very much adored her, their whole life revolved around her. We all adored Lily. She had that charm about her.” I nodded agreeing. My mom had this special way about her that attracted people. He continued, “My son and she were quite close while they were kids and grew up together, although my son was seven years her senior. When Lily was twelve, her parents sent her to boarding school in Switzerland.”

I listened, tense, the first glimpse into my mom’s past. “While she was in boarding school, her parents arranged a marriage with another influential family, the Cambridge’s. Henry Cambridge was to be her husband on her twenty-first birthday.”

“So young,” I barely spoke the words. “I didn’t realize people arrange marriages anymore.”

“Regularly no,” he said. “But when you are as wealthy as the Glasgow or Cambridge family, they often do it to protect their assets.”

“But you… and Alexander, your family is wealthy too.” I couldn’t understand that world.

“Yes.” He had sorrow and regret in his voice. “Ironically, the Glasgow family approached me first, suggesting we arrange a marriage between my son and Lily, but I refused. I firmly believed each man or woman should choose who they should marry.”

I completely agreed.

Oh and they shouldn’t be tricked into it either,I thought to myself but kept it to myself.

“Lily came back a week before her birthday and her wedding. She knew instantly she didn’t want to marry Henry Cambridge, but her parents refused to revoke the agreement. So she was married, and it wasn’t a happy marriage. Henry was quite violent and abusive.”

And a rapist.But I couldn’t quite get those words out.

We stopped dancing. “Why didn’t her parents help her?” The words choked my throat.

“I don’t think they knew,” he replied low. “None of us did till it was too late and Henry was dead. Lily was their whole world. If you’d consider giving them a chance, you and Brandon would make them happy in their old age. Even for the Cambridge family, Henry was their only son. Both of your grandparents are here right now.”

I took a step backwards, shaking my head in disbelief. “No.” My voice was a whisper, taking another step backwards. “No,” I repeated, my eyes darting around me, trying to spot people that caused my mom such pain. “I could never forgive them.”

I didn’t know if I could forgive myself. I turned on my heel and hurried out of there.

I rushed, trying to get out of here and took me five minutes to realize I was walking in circles.

I was lost. I thought I knew exactly which door I came out of, but it turned out each one of those darn doors were the same.

I couldn’t be around people, especially not these kinds of people. I needed to get out of here. I would call Layla; she’d come and get me. This society was horrible; they were cruel. I found out exactly what my mom didn’t want to tell me and she was right. She was right to leave. I wanted nothing to do with any of them. Tears pricked in my eyes as images of Mom’s body in the pool in her own blood kept flashing in front of my eyes.

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