Page 125 of Adoration: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 2)

She consumed every ounce of me.

Chapter Fifty-Three

Liberty

Ilifted Brandon off his bed, he barely stirred. As I walked down the stairs, Maxim, his father, and grandfather were in the lobby.

I hadn’t even left yet, and already I felt dead on the inside. I was doing the right thing but it didn’t feel right. I wanted to feel Alexander’s arms around me. I wanted him to hold me, just like he did when I had my nightmare. God, I just wanted to erase all the ugly past but I couldn’t. I had to get out of here before any more damage could be done.

“I’ll take a cab,” I told them.

“No,” his grandfather objected. “I’ll have my driver take us both home as promised.”

“Thank you.” It hurt to talk.

I could have never guessed how many ghosts lingered between Alexander and me when I woke up this morning. My eyes darted around the lobby, hoping for one more glimpse of my husband. I was such a basket case. This afternoon I wanted to kill him and leave him. Now I wanted a glimpse of him.

I turned to Maxim and his father, Brandon tight in my arms.

“So this little guy is my grandson?” Alexander’s father whispered softly and sealed the deal. I would like him forever. He put his hand on his head softly.

“He told me I am the best uncle,” Maxim’s voice sounded choked. “I would like to continue seeing him.”

I nodded. Brandon needed them as much as he needed me. He loved them too. I would never take that away from him. Hell, I needed them. They had become important to me.

“Thank you again,” I spoke softly. “For everything.” I locked eyes with Alexander’s father. “Thank you for taking care of Mom.”

He tilted his head slightly and I had to turn away from them or risk them seeing the tears threatening to spill. I swore my heart hurt just as it did the day I lost my mom. I kept losing everyone.

As soon as I shut the door, leaving them all behind, the tears I have been holding back started streaming down my face. Alexander’s grandfather waited for me and I fumbled to wipe my tears off while holding Brandon. It was pointless to cry.

He opened the car door for me and I slid into the seat. I glanced out the window with the stupid hope I’d see Alexander but he wasn’t there. In a matter of weeks, he ingrained himself into my life, my soul, and my heart. How was that even possible?

“Don’t give up on being part of our family. And don’t give up on Alexander.” His voice startled me.

“Mr. Caldwell -“

He cut me off. “We are already back to Mr. Caldwell? Please, call me Grandfather.”

“Ok.” I was so exhausted. Today had not been a good day, to say the least.

“You and Alexander are good for each other.”

“How can you even say that after all that,” I muttered miserably. “This was a disaster, headed for doom from the moment -”

“Do you love him?” He cut me off with his question. He was direct, too direct.

“It’s not that simple.” Nothing with Alexander was simple.

“When you are my age, you learn that it is actually that simple. Do you love my grandson, Liberty?”

I loved him so much it hurt. Even when he drove me crazy with his overbearing ways, or when he acted like a protective asshole, or when he stared me down with his cold glare.

I chewed on my lip while debating whether to be honest or not. I should lie to him. I didn’t need anymore heartaches. And it really didn’t matter whether I loved him or not. There were so many things that stood between us now. My mom’s past with his father, Mom’s publishing company, whatever he was doing with Callen, all the lies and deceit. I wasn’t sure what was real anymore.

“It doesn’t matter whether I love him or not,” I finally told him.

“My dear, that is all that matters. Please, keep an open mind and promise me you won’t give up on the family we’ve become.”

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