Page 67 of Working For A Billionaire

Gabby and I spend time talking, until she has to get home to her daughter. We promise to get together again soon, and I intend to keep that promise.

After she leaves, I stand in front of the mirror and study my reflection. I still look like myself, but there is something different about me. My skin feels softer, and I notice that my eyes are brighter. I run my hands across my stomach, and it's flatter than yesterday. It's hard to believe this is real. Even in my dreams, I never thought I would have a life like this.

When I step into the nursery, I see Anthony sleeping peacefully in the crib. I pick him up and kiss his cheek. His skin is soft and delicate. Then I place him back in his crib and walk downstairs. I pass through the living room and into the kitchen, where Gloria is making dinner.

When I hear the front door open, I assume it must be Harrison getting home from work. Instead, it is his mother that enters the house. Her hair is done up in a bun, and her makeup is perfect. I remember her coming to visit before Anthony was born. She didn't leave a good impression on me or vice versa.

"Hi," she greets. "I am so happy to see you. How have you been?"

"I am fine," I respond. "Very busy."

She takes another look at me and smiles. "You are glowing. You must be very happy."

"I am, thank you. Harrison isn't home yet." I am not sure what else to say.

"I know. I was hoping to speak to you before he got home."

"To me?" My body is instantly tensing up and I feel flustered under her gaze.

"Yes. I wanted to apologize for how I behaved. It seems that I have misjudged you. I seem to be doing that a lot lately."

"You don't have to apologize. We don't know each other. It's natural to have reservations."

She shakes her head. "You are a lot more understanding than I was with my mother-in-law. Of course, she offered me a large sum of money to stay away from her son."

"Are you serious?"

"Oh yes," she says with a sigh. "I wasn't good enough for the Rutherfords either I suppose, but that didn't matter. I was good enough for Anthony and he never let me forget that."

I see the tears building up in her eyes and wish I could think of something comforting to say. I open my mouth, but no words come out.

"Well, why don't we go upstairs? I would love to see Anthony," she says, saving me from saying the wrong thing.

I follow her upstairs to the nursery and take a seat in the rocking chair. She stands next to the crib, looking down at her only grandchild and I see the tears build up in her eyes.

"Hello, Anthony," she whispers. "I am your grandma. I wish your grandpa could be here to see you. He would be so proud you have his name. You look so much like him. I bet you'll grow up to be a handsome young man just like he was."

My heart breaks, watching her face as she speaks. It is covered in heartbreak and pain. Tears fall from her eyes, but she doesn't wipe them away. At this moment, I feel her grief. I try to imagine how I would feel if I lost Harrison, and suddenly she doesn't seem so scary.

"I love you, baby boy," she tells him. "Always remember that."

I stand up and walk over to her, wrapping my arms around her waist. "Thank you for coming to see him," I whisper. "I know how hard it is for you."

"Don't worry about me," she replies, awkwardly patting my back. "I'll be fine."

I pull away from her and sit back down in the rocking chair. "Can I help you with anything?"

"No," she says. "I just came to see Anthony. That's enough."

"Okay." I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I hope that you will visit him often."

"I will," she promises.

"Good," I say. "Because I know he will be happy to see you."

"I am sure he will." She wipes away her tears. "Babies love attention. I know Harrison did when he was a baby. The more people around him, the happier he was. Now, I better be going. I have a lot of things to do tonight."

"I understand." I turn and walk toward the door. "Thank you for visiting."

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