Chapter 31
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
M y phone buzzed, and I glanced at the screen, silently willing Graham to send me an update. He and Jasper had gone back to visit with Sloan a while ago, and I hoped everything was okay. Jackson’s words had been reassuring, but I knew Graham was scared for her and the baby.
Jo: You okay?
In all the craziness, I couldn’t believe I’d forgotten to update Jo. And what about my family?
Me: They’re going to keep Graham’s sister overnight, but it sounds like she’ll be okay.
Jo: Oh my goodness. I’m sorry, Lil. Can I do anything?
Me: No, but thanks. Sorry I ditched you to deal with Luc and les Journee du patrimonie.
Jo: Family comes first. We’ve got everything under control here.
I was about to slide my phone back into my purse when another text message arrived.
Mom: I hope you don’t plan to ignore your family the rest of our visit.
I really didn’t have the bandwidth to deal with this right now. I was tempted not to respond, but I was trying to keep an open mind, as Graham had suggested.
Me: I’m not ignoring you. I’m at the hospital with Graham. His sister was brought here.
And then Iris chimed in.
Iris: Lily thinks she’s too good for us now that she’s married to a billionaire.
I gnashed my teeth. I could not believe the audacity of my family. I’d wanted to view their presence here as an olive branch, but nothing had changed.
I thought about Graham’s family and how they’d jumped into action when Sloan had gone to the hospital. I thought about the worry and the panic, but also the love. That was the type of family I wanted, and I was done being treated like crap by my parents and siblings.
I could no longer be silent. I could no longer ignore them and the way they’d treated me.
This wasn’t a conversation I wanted to have at all, let alone via text. So I headed outside and pressed the button to connect the call. I sat on a bench and set the phone in my lap on speaker mode.
“Lily,” Mom said. “I’m sorry to hear about Graham’s sister. It’d be nice if you put forth the same amount of effort for your own family. Especially since we came all this way.”
I wasn’t even going to dignify that with a response. Was she seriously comparing flying over for a visit to being in the hospital?
“Did you come here to see me or because you wanted a free trip?” I asked.
“Can’t it be both?”
“Like you’d pass up a free trip,” Iris said from the background. “You’re the queen of mooching off luxury-travel brands.”
Mom shushed her. “Your husband’s family seems nice.”
“They are very nice,” I said in a cool tone. Cool. Calm. Collected. That was me.
Was there a point to this conversation? I kept hoping Mom would apologize, ask how I was, something. But it all felt surface-level, as always.
“Honey, why didn’t you tell us you were married?”
“Why do you think?” I asked. Did she truly not understand?
“Is this because of Auntie Jackie’s money? Because that was a silly misunderstanding.”
A silly misunderstanding?
“Really?” I asked. “So it was a misunderstanding when Iris called me selfish because I wouldn’t lend her money? It was a misunderstanding when you told me to apologize? It was a misunderstanding— ” my voice rose with every sentence “—when the whole family ganged up on me as if I’d done something wrong?”
“Well, your sister was disappointed. She’d fallen in love with that house. She was counting on you.”
“I don’t know what gave her the impression that I had that kind of money or that she would be entitled to any of it.” Because that was how she acted — entitled .
“Auntie Jackie left you more than enough to share with the rest of us. Because that’s what families do. They help one another.”
Wow. I didn’t even know why I was surprised anymore.
“I’m done talking about this,” I bit out. “The money is gone.”
“Auntie Jackie’s money, perhaps. But now, you’re married to a billionaire. Just think of?—”
“Let me stop you right there.” I stood, more than ready to be done with this conversation. “Even if I had access to Graham’s money—which I don’t, because I signed a prenup. But even if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t give you a cent. Not. One. Single. Cent.” Every word I said was punctuated with anger.
“Liliana, we’re your family,” Mom said. “I’m sure you could cuddle up to that handsome husband of yours and convince him to do whatever you’d like.”
Unbelievable.
She didn’t deserve anything from me, least of all an explanation. But I felt compelled to say, “I love Graham because of who he is. I would still love him even if he didn’t have a penny to his name.”
“Oh, please,” Iris said. “Cut the crap, Lily. You married him for money, and he…” She paused. “I have no idea why he married you.”
She kept talking, but I was done listening. Nothing had changed.
All I knew was that Jo and Graham and his siblings had been more of a family to me than any of them ever had. It was what gave me the strength to finally say, “I’m no longer interested in your version of being a ‘family.’ I’m done. Don’t call me again. And don’t you even dare think about speaking to Graham’s family.”
My hands were shaking so badly that I had to jab the disconnect button several times to end the call. But when I finally ended it, I knew that was it. It was done. Over.
I took a few deep breaths and tried to collect myself. I knew from my experience with restoration that sometimes things got worse before they could get better. But right now, it felt like everything was falling apart.
When I stood and turned to go back inside, Graham was standing a few feet away, his expression like a thundercloud. He was pissed, and it was a glorious sight to behold. Fury radiated from him, his hands fisted at his sides.
“Jesus, Lil. Is that how your family usually speaks to you?”
I dropped my head and blew out a breath. “Yes.”
He typed something on his phone and then held it to his ear. Before I could ask him what he was doing, he said, “Please escort the entire Fontaine family from the property. They are not welcome at the chateau or any of our homes or hotels.”
My jaw dropped open in shock, but then he was making another call.
“Carson,” he said. “I need you to add the Fontaine family to the list of unwelcome guests.”
Carson said something I couldn’t make out. Then Graham said, “Call the hotel in the Loire Valley and tell them the Fontaines are checking out immediately. Arrange for transportation to the airport, and please tell the pilot to have the plane ready in an hour.”
It wasn’t long before he ended the call, and I continued to stare at Graham in shock. No one had ever gone to bat for me like that against my family, not since Auntie Jackie had died. And here he was, angry and protective on my behalf.
“Wow. That was…unexpected.”
“And entirely necessary.” His eyes flashed with anger—for me. “No one hurts you and gets away with it.”
“What if the board finds out?”
“ If the board finds out, then they should be pleased that I was protecting my wife.” The words flowed off his tongue, smooth as silk.
He always found a way to spin the situation to his advantage. Was that what he was doing with me?
I pushed away that thought. Years of dealing with my family’s bullshit made it difficult for me to trust anything. Believe in anything. But I wanted to trust Graham. I did trust Graham. And yet, I couldn’t seem to move past my doubts and fears.
After the day we’d had—after the interactions with my family and worrying about Sloan—my logical reasoning skills were shot. Emotion was in the driver’s seat, and she could be a reckless bitch.
“Protecting your wife or protecting me, Lily?” I asked, hating how insecure I sounded.
He furrowed his brow, and then he seemed to decide something. He stepped forward, cupping the back of my neck. He looked me in the eye. “In case I haven’t made it clear, the board can go fuck themselves. You’re my wife. You’re my priority.”
I sucked in a gasp. He’d never said anything like that. Yes, he’d said he loved me. And I knew he did, but the board and their expectations had always loomed over our relationship. It was a big reason why we’d married after all.
“I’m protective of you not because of our agreement. Or because you’re married to me. But because you’re you . Because I. Love. You, Lily.”
My shoulders relaxed, and something inside me eased at his words. “I’m sorry. I know you love me. Interacting with my family just really fucks with my head.”
“I can imagine,” Graham said, rubbing my shoulders. “And I’m proud of you for standing up to them. I would’ve never suggested that you hear them out if I’d understood the extent of their toxic behavior. I’m sorry.”
“You couldn’t have known. I should’ve told you.” I wished I had.
“I’m done letting people push my family around. I’m done letting the board control my life. I’m done letting them hurt the people I love.”
“I get that, but until they concede the fact that you and your family own a majority share, nothing’s going to change.”
“I know. Which is why it’s time for me to make a change.” He took a deep breath then said, “I’m stepping down as CEO.”
“What?” I jerked my head back. “You can’t.” I lifted my hands to my mouth. “Why would you do that? You can’t do that.”
“I can.” He tucked my hair behind my ear. “And I am. I’ve already asked Pierce to draw up the papers to name Jasper as CEO.”
“But, but—” I sputtered. Was he serious? He couldn’t be serious.
This wasn’t what he wanted. This wasn’t what I wanted—him to give up the thing he held most dear.
He cupped my cheek. “For years, I adopted a certain persona because that’s what I thought I had to do to survive. But loving you has made me remember who I am and that I’m worthy of so much more than just surviving.”
I placed my hand over his heart, warmed by his admission. His revelation. “You are.”
“And your insistence on communication, on vulnerability?—”
“Emphasis,” I teased.
“Mm. You have been pretty persistent.” He gave me a knowing look.
“ Persuasive.” I bit back a smile, loving our banter.
“That’s true.” The corner of his mouth tilted upward. “What I’m trying to say is that working with you on the chateau, spending more time with my family, has made me realize what I want for the future. And as much as I’ve loved running the Huxley brand, I no longer want to feel shackled to the past. My grandparents wouldn’t have wanted that for me either.”
“Then what do you want?” I asked, scarcely able to breathe.
The idea of Graham stepping down as the CEO of Huxley was unthinkable.
“First step. We tear up our contract. The trust is fully funded, and I find that I no longer require a wife to achieve my goals.”
My heart dropped.
“And while I may not need a wife, I want you in my life. On your terms. Because you want to be there, not because you’re legally obligated to be at my side.”
I laughed, relief and happiness washing over me. “Of course I want to be in your life. I love you.”
But I also didn’t want him to do something he’d later regret. I didn’t want him to make such a drastic change that he’d come to resent me for.
I chewed on the inside of my cheek. “This brand, your grandparents’ company, is your life. Your everything.”
He shook his head, peering down at me with so much love and affection I felt as if my heart might burst. “ You are my everything.”
“And you’re mine.”
I grasped his shirt, pulling his lips down to mine. With our mouths pressed together, I felt whole. I felt seen and loved.
“I love you, and I will support whatever you decide,” I said. “But I don’t want you to give up your company for me.”
“That’s just it,” he said, forehead pressed to mine. “It’s not for you. Or at least, not just for you. It’s for me. It’s for my family. It’s for the brand.”
I frowned. “I’m not sure I understand.” In my mind, there was no one better suited to run the Huxley Grand. No one more dedicated.
Not that Jasper wasn’t qualified or couldn’t do a good job. But he wasn’t Graham. And I knew how much the company and his grandparents’ legacy meant to my husband. If anyone understood the lengths he was willing to go to to protect it, it was me. The woman who’d entered into a marriage of convenience to help him do just that.
“The situation with the board is causing unnecessary stress to everyone. It’s part of why Sloan ended up in the hospital.”
I squeezed his bicep, silently lending my support. My encouragement.
“If Jasper takes over as CEO, it ushers in an era of new leadership. You know Jasper—he can make anyone fall for him. He will bring a warmth and playfulness to the role that’s been missing. And, if I’m right, I think the board will be less focused on me gaining the additional ten percent of the shares because I would no longer be in control.”
“Don’t you worry that they’ll suspect you’re still pulling the strings, just working behind the scenes?”
“Not if I’m in a completely different role. And if I were no longer the CEO or an SVP, we could relocate here permanently. As soon as the change goes through.”
“What?” I shrieked.
“I love the chateau, and I love our life here. It’s fulfilling in a way that running the Huxley brand hasn’t been for a long time. It was as if I was using my role as CEO and my quest to defend my grandparents’ legacy to fill the void of losing them.”
“Wow. That’s…” I tried to ignore the sting of oncoming tears. “That’s intense but powerful.”
“It was. Both. And it helped me realize some other things as well.”
And this was why I loved this man. I was so proud of him. He no longer held in his thoughts and his feelings; he shared them freely with me. He trusted me. We were partners in every sense of the word.
When I looked at him, I realized then how light he seemed. How unburdened. As if the weight of the world had been lifted from his shoulders.
“But they also wanted the company to evolve. They’d want me to evolve. New leadership brings fresh perspectives. And Jasper has always had great ideas.”
“And Sloan?” I asked.
“She’s not at a point that she would want to take on that role. Maybe someday, but right now, she wants to focus on her health and her growing family.”
I found myself relaxing, secure in the knowledge that Graham was making the best decision for himself. Not just for us.
“I’m glad you love the chateau as much as I do. It’s a big reason why I’ve been wanting to add your name to the deed.”
His eyes flashed to mine. “You have?”
I nodded. “I spoke to Pierce about the legalities, and he assured me it was fine.”
Graham knelt to the ground.
“What are you doing?” I asked, glancing around to see if anyone was watching, but the parking lot was empty.
“I have a proposal.”
“Oh yeah?” I arched an eyebrow. “Let me guess. You want to help me. We’ll help each other,” I teased, paraphrasing his suggestion from that first night in Ixtapa when he’d asked me to marry him.
“Mm.” He grinned, and it lit me up inside. “Something like that.”
“This isn’t a negotiation.” I rolled my eyes, but it was playful.
“I know.” His expression turned solemn. “It’s a relationship. And in a relationship, there’s give-and-take. And Lily—” he gripped my chin “—make no mistake. My love for you comes with no conditions or expectations. And I promise to spend every day for the rest of my life proving that to you. Will you be my wife? My partner? My friend?”
A tear streaked down my cheek. He didn’t have to say it; I knew it in the very fabric of my soul.
Now, there was nothing but love between us. No contracts. No agreements.
I still couldn’t quite believe he was stepping down as CEO. Moving to the chateau to help me fulfill my dreams— our dreams , I reminded myself. I had a feeling Auntie Jackie would’ve approved.
I leaned forward, wrapping my arms around his shoulders. “Of course I will. And you don’t have anything to prove. I already know you love me.”
“ Sans cesse. ” He kissed me gently, with great tenderness. “ Toujours. ”
“ à tout jamais,” I said as he swiped a tear from my cheek.
My husband. I smiled to myself. Somehow, I’d known it all along. My heart had led me to him before my brain could catch up. But now, everything was on the same page. My mind, body, heart, and soul.
Graham and I were going to live life on our terms. And I couldn’t wait to see what the future had in store for us. If the past few months were anything to go by, a lot of dust but also a lot of passion too. We were partners, and I couldn’t imagine spending my life with anyone else.