Page 255 of The Billion Heirs Boxed Set
“He knew about Grady?”
She nods. “He was Jonathan Bridger. He had all kinds of resources. Of course he knew about Grady.”
“But Chance…”
Mom shakes her head. “Resources can keep you from knowing about something as well.”
I’ve been with Chance the past few days, and it’s blatantly obvious he knows nothing about Grady. About the letter. About anything.
“God. Jonathan Bridger made sure Chance never found out he had a son.”
“He did.”
“And you went along with all of this? All this time? Why, Mom?”
“I had no choice at that point. I was in too deep. I’d already taken his money and used it to get an education. To get you an education.”
“It’s been years since then.”
“That money will get Grady an education when the time comes. He’ll be able to go to any college he wants.”
“I can pay for college for him. I have a job. A good one. Sure, he’ll need scholarships, but I don’t need—or want—that money touching Grady in any way.”
“It already has,” she says forlornly.
It’s true. That money has put a roof over his head. Paid for his birth. Paid for him being a secret.
“And the aunt story?”
“Jonathan made it clear I couldn’t tell you or anyone where the money had come from. The dead aunt story was his idea, and frankly, I couldn’t think of anything better.”
“Fuck…”
She takes my hand again, rubs my palm with her thumb. “There’s something else, Avery.”
“Oh, God. What else could there possibly be?”
She clears her throat. “Part of my agreement with Jonathan was that you would never go after Chance. I had to make sure you stayed put.”
“You didn’t have to do much. No way was I going to go anywhere near Chance after that letter Jonathan forged.”
“Honey,” she says. “It was my responsibility.”
“And I’m saying—” My eyes widen at what she laid down. “No. Mom, no.”
She closes her eyes, and two tears squeeze out. “I didn’t have any other choice, baby.”
“Jonathan Bridger didn’t write that letter.”
“No, baby. I did.” She shakes her head, a sob choking out of her throat. “It was cruel and it broke my heart to be so nasty to you, but I had to make sure you ’wouldn’t try to go back. And that’s not even the worst part.”
I swallow down the nausea that threatens to force itself up my throat. “What else? Nothing can possibly surprise me now.”
24
CHANCE
I’ve never been to Arizona. I’ve seen pictures. Know all about the cactus and the dry heat. Well, hell. It’s nothing like they said.
