Alex’s grandfather explains to her that he was sick of living in fear that his biggest secrets might be revealed, so he decided to grab the bull by the horns and tell the story himself. He apologizes for not warning her––and the rest of their family––in advance, and Alex is quick to forgive him for not giving her a heads up.
In a serious tone, the older man says, “We’ll have a family meeting soon where everything will be fully explained, but the gist of the story is that your grandma’s family forced her to marry me, rather than my younger brother––even though he’s the one she loved.”
Alex blinks several times and sits down. When she holds her hand out for a glass of the cognac, I quickly pour one and hand it to her. After taking a gulp of her drink, she asks, “Why would they do that?”
“As the older brother, I was the heir to our family’s fortune,” he says simply, as if that explains everything.
Alex shakes her head as she struggles to absorb all of this.
Waggling his large index finger in her direction, her grandfather says, “Now, don’t blame your late grandmother for any of this mess. The heart wants what it wants. We can’t control who we love.”
“Don’t I know it,” Alex mumbles under her breath before taking another drink and setting her glass aside.
Mr. Morrow seems lost in his own thoughts and memories when he continues. “Our marriage was a bit of a sham, but even though we weren’t madly in love, your grandmother and I did care very deeply for each other. When we realized that I wasn’t able to have children, we thought all was lost. The idea of the Morrow heir not reproducing is unacceptable, so your grandmother and I met with my brother to present this plan to him. He was able to be with the woman he loved––privately, and I was able to publicly present children to the world. It really did seem like the best outcome for all of us, and we each swore to keep the secret. Now that they’re both gone, I decided I was sick of living in constant fear that the truth was going to come out. There was one quick and easy way to solve that problem.”
“Leak the story yourself,” Alex answers quietly.
“That’s right,” her grandfather responds. Staring out the window, he adds in a pensive tone, “And you know what? Having the truth out there isn’t nearly as bad as I worried it would be. In fact, it’s a huge relief to not have this giant secret weighing me down. The story will probably make the news for a few cycles, then disappear into the archives as soon as the next big scandal hits.”
“Probably,” Alex agrees before moving to stand by her grandfather. She takes one of his large hands within her delicate ones. “It was very brave of you to come forward like this. I didn’t think I could possibly be any prouder to be your granddaughter, but somehow, you managed to become even more brave and amazing.”
Alex’s words are clearly exactly what the older man needed to hear. Tears are shining in his eyes when he pulls her into his arms and says, “I’m so glad you see it that way. My biggest fear was that you wouldn’t consider me to be your ‘real’ grandfather anymore.”
“That could never happen,” she assures him as they hug.
When Alex steps back, a few tears have escaped and blazed trails down her cheeks. She swipes impatiently at them as if they are a giant nuisance.
I must make a noise because her gaze whips in my direction as if she has suddenly remembered that I’m here. Pointing an accusatory finger in my direction, she says, “Just because Joe didn’t leak the story, doesn’t mean that he can be trusted. He’s been planning a vendetta against us, thanks to a long-held family grudge that has to do with you firing his father.”
The older man nods and says, “I know all about that. As soon as Joe reminded me what happened and explained how it hurt his family, I called and offered his father his job back––with a promotion and pay raise, of course. But his father didn’t want it. When he worked for us, he was a workaholic. Initially, he was angry over being fired, but with time, he has realized that it was a blessing in disguise. Now, he spends more time with Joe’s mom and enjoys his life.”
Giving Alex a serious look, he says, “It’s easy to get so caught up with working that we stop truly living and having fun. I fell into that trap and forgot that my employees are real people with families, not just numbers on a spreadsheet. Joe’s dad worked too much, as well, and all it got him was fired. I feel terrible for my role in that. Please ensure that you don’t make the same mistakes we have, sweetness. There is more to life than just toiling away to build an impressive legacy.”
Alex nods her agreement, but I can tell by the practically visible waves of anger rolling off her back that she hasn’t yet forgiven me.
Evidently sensing her lingering hostility as well, her grandfather says, “Joe is a good man, and he cares very deeply for you.”
At the undignified scoffing sound that emerges from Alex’s throat, the distinguished man says, “If he didn’t care, he wouldn’t be here, honey. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I can be a bit of an intimidating ass.”
We both chuckle at that understatement before he continues, “He barged in here to admit what he’d done to start this firestorm. He was ready to do whatever it took to help me contain it. Looking me in the eye and admitting that was the epitome of bravery. It could have gone very wrong for him, but he took that chance for you, Alexandra. That sounds to me like a man who is falling in love with you.”
Deciding it’s high-time for me to take over, I step forward and say to the woman of my dreams, “I’m not just falling in love. I am in love with you, Alex.”
She shakes her head, which makes the breath leave my lungs in a rush. “It’s so fast.”
“I know, but it’s true. I’ve never felt this way about anyone. I just want to be with you and do anything in my power to make you happy. I’ll wait as long as it takes for you to love me, too.”
The admissions come out in a flurry. I’m breathless as I wait to hear her reaction.
Alex takes her time, gazing into my eyes and thinking over her response. Her expression softens and her lips tip upward just before she says, “I love you, too, Joe Scott.”
The magnificent woman rushes into my arms, and I engulf her in my embrace. Her grandfather claps his approval as I cup Alex’s cheeks, and we seal our proclamation of love with a tender kiss.