Chapter 23
TIFFANY
This is awkward. I’ve never even met my grandfather before, let alone sitting in a room with no distractions.
He is unsure. I can sense that, and as I wrestle with my fingers, he sighs heavily beside me.
“I am pleased to say you are nothing like your mother—in appearances, anyway.”
“Why does that please you?”
“Because it gives me hope.”
“In what way?”
I’m curious because that wasn’t exactly the first thing I’d thought he’d say, and he exhales slightly, the tension sitting between us rather strange.
“Because you resemble your grandmother, Eden, and she was the kindest, most beautiful woman I have ever met, both inside and out.”
“Was?”
I detect the sadness in his voice.
“She died several years ago.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
I really am because I will never get to meet her, which is a big gap to fill in my life.
“She died of a heart attack brought on by an undetected faulty valve. It was immediate and fatal, and she never got to suffer, which I’m grateful for.”
“Me too.”
His small sigh tells of his deep sadness, and he whispers almost to himself, “Your mother was always more like me. Hard, cruel to a degree and always searching for the next opportunity.”
“You don’t speak very highly of yourself.”
“So you know your mother then.”
His attempt at humor doesn’t fit the occasion, and I ask, “What was, sorry, is she like?”
“Difficult.”
For the first time, he edges to the side, so he can stare at me and I note the deep lines of sadness wrinkling his otherwise unlined face, despite his age.
“She married your father because she knew it would anger me. What can I say? She was spiteful, vindictive, and has never given me a reason to change my opinion.”
“Why, to spite you. Didn’t you like him?”
“No,” he states simply. “He was a cruel man, and his reputation preceded him. He had been married twice for personal financial gain, which was the story around town, anyway. Both his wives died, and it appears that your mother saw her chance and encouraged his attention.”
“So why did she leave when she had what she wanted?”
“I’m not sure. You tell me because you lived with your father.”
“I take your point.”
My memories of my father are bitter ones. There was no love inside him, merely business, and I’m relieved to discover my grandfather is the opposite of that. I already realize that, and I’ve just met him, which settles my mind and my heart a little.
“It appears that history may be repeating itself.”
He points to my finger, and I’m uneasy.
“I married him for my reasons, not his.”
“And his are?”
There’s a hint of anger in his tone, and I shrug. “He wants my inheritance.”
“And you’re good with that?”
“I would be if there was anything left of it, but from my understanding, my father was bankrupt as they say, and the Diamond Dynasty owes more than it produces.”
“Is he aware of that?”
“Yes.”
“Then forgive me for asking, why go ahead with the marriage?”
“Because of what he can give me and not the other way around?”
“Which is?”
I shrug, wondering whether to reveal the depths my soul has plunged to regarding my revenge.
“He has certain talents I can use to my advantage. Connections even, and in return, it unlocks my sister’s inheritance from their families.”
“Of course, the banking heiress and the hotel dynasty. Your father was a shrewd man and used his daughter’s inheritance to keep the wolves at bay.”
“You are also a shrewd man, Grandfather.”
His low chuckle makes me smile.
“So, together Joseph and I are righting a few wrongs. If I marry him and produce a child, it unlocks the trust funds set up for the three of us. They get their inheritance and I get my—”
“Your inheritance?”
He sounds merely curious, and I shake my head.
“I don’t have one, remember.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Because I don’t expect anything or want it, if I’m honest.”
“Whether you want it or not, you are the sole beneficiary of my will, Tiffany, and your inheritance is worth billions on its own, so perhaps you should reconsider why Joseph Ravera is so keen to help you.”
“For my money, I’m guessing, but he has more than enough of it himself. He is doing it for his family business, just like my father did, so I’m guessing there’s nothing abnormal in that.”
“What if I disinherit you and leave it all to charity?”
“It’s yours to do with what you wish, but out of curiosity, why not leave it to my mother? She is still alive.”
“Because your grandmother told me not to.”
I’m a little stunned and have no words as he says gently, “I may have been missing physically from your life, Tiffany, but I followed it carefully. When Priscilla left Enrico, it was because she sensed a better option. She married a wealthy man, and it wasn’t because she fell in love with him.
She saw a way out of a loveless marriage of confinement and ran off with the next best thing.
The trouble is, she couldn’t run away from herself and spiraled into her usual cycle of addiction that has ultimately been her downfall. ”
“Addiction?”
“Alcohol, drugs, to name a few. I blame myself. We gave her too much freedom, too much money, and no reason to work. She was addicted to the thrill, and when life with Enrico became stale, she seized an opportunity and fled. I’m sorry to say she never once looked back.
All I hoped for was that you would never inherit her faults and got your strengths from your grandmother.
So far, I’m pleased to see none of them, except perhaps a weakness for tall, dark, destructive men that is. ”
I laugh softly because he’s not wrong there. No matter how much I tell myself I’m doing this for my sisters, I’m not. I am mesmerized by Joseph Ravera, and perhaps I am my mother after all, because he’s a drug I am in danger of becoming reliant on against my better judgment.
“Will you meet his friend?”
I’m curious about that, and he nods. “I owe him that at least. Because I got to meet you, and that is worth more to me than anything.”
We share a smile, and a wave of relief hits me as I contemplate finding a family I thought was lost to me forever.
“So, what happens now?”
I’m intrigued by hearing the answer, and he appears hesitant.
“I will walk away, but not before I offer my promise that you have a home with me or one of your choice if you need it. I want to be a part of your life, but I accept that you may prefer to cut ties. But I’ll always be your grandfather and no matter how much trouble you are in, I will not turn my back on you. ”
“But you did my mother.”
I’m not judging him; I’m merely curious, and he shrugs.
“There are only so many chances a man can offer when it becomes apparent they are not hitting the mark. She can come to me if she is ready to listen, but I know my daughter, Tiffany. She would rather die than come begging to me. I don’t want that for you.
I have an idea you may need me one day, and I’m hoping we can salvage some kind of relationship before I die.
No conditions, no rules, just two family members who are interested in knowing more about the other. ”
“I’d like that.”
I really mean it, too, and his sudden smile warms my heart as he steps a little closer.
“I’m happy to agree to a meeting with Mr. Ravera’s friend if that is all the payment required to reconnect with you.”
“Will you go into business with him?”
I’m mildly curious, and he shrugs.
“Never say never, Tiffany. Life can be surprising sometimes. Take your husband for one. Outwardly, he is not the sort of man I would care to spend any time with, and certainly not agree to him marrying into my family, but something about the way he is with you gives me some hope.”
His words confuse me. The way he is with me is for his own benefit, but I force a smile. “He is surprising, I’ll give him that, but don’t buy our anniversary card just yet.”
“You can come with me now. There is nothing he can do to prevent that.”
“I’m pretty sure his dark army outside could do a good job.”
I roll my eyes, and my grandfather laughs out loud.
“You make a valid point.”
He presses a small card into my hand.
“This is my private number. Call it any time, day or night, and wherever you are, I will come for you.”
“Thank you.”
As he hesitates, I step forward and wrap my arms around his waist and cling on tight, hating how emotional I am but craving a warm hug from someone who only has my best interests at heart.
His strong hand on my back reassures and he whispers, “Thank you for meeting with me, Tiffany. You have made an old man extremely happy.”
As he pulls away, he stops and appears curious.
“What about your mother? Will you visit her too?”
“Why would I?”
I shrug. “She has made no effort with me and, unlike my sisters, I’m good with that.”
“She must have hurt you deeply.”
“Because what daughter isn’t curious about her mother, I’m guessing.”
I shrug again. “From what I’ve heard, she’s not that great anyway, so it’s probably best if I live with my imagination where she is concerned. She can live there and I can pretend she is better, at least. Reality has a habit of destroying dreams, and apparently, she is more of a nightmare, anyway.”
I smile. “But you have exceeded my expectations, Grandfather, and I hope we can meet again very soon and spend a little longer next time.”
“Me too, Tiffany.”
His deep sigh reminds me of how unhappy he is with the situation, and he points to the card in my hand.
“Remember, I’m here for you, no matter the circumstances. You only have to call.”
As he makes to leave, I remember one unsolved mystery, and he stops as I say quickly, “May I just ask, are you aware of three keys my father left? One for each of us.”
“A key?”
“As in a safe deposit box, perhaps?”
“No,” I shake my head, remembering the ornate iron keys that my father was so determined we guard with our lives.
“I’m sorry. I have no knowledge of a key, or anything it may unlock.”
Disappointment tastes bitter, and I heave a sigh.
“Thank you. At least I can cross a line through your name where the keys are concerned.”
“Don’t cross a line through my name for anything else, Tiffany. I want to be a grandfather to you, if you let me, that is.”
“I want that too.”
As he turns, he appears hesitant, and then with a brief smile, he heads to the door, leaving me to slump back on the bench and stare at the beautiful painting.
Despite everything, I’m glad I met him and am hopeful for more visits, and his offer is tempting. It gives me a place to go should the need arise, and part of me wonders if I would turn to him, or The Order of the Holy Mother of God, should I need a place to go in the future.