Page 32 of Temporary Wife Temptation

He’d hurt her. She thought Garrett hadn’t trusted her enough to ask for her support, but he couldn’t have told her about Natalie since there was no whirlwind romance or secret engagement. Lies and more lies had created a rift between Garrett and his family, but telling his grandmother the truth might destroy all chances of reconciliation.

Ugh. The cell phone she’d stuck inside her calf-high stocking—traditional Korean elf-toed things—had been vibrating for the last half hour, and she was getting nervous that it might be an emergency.

“I’m so sorry, but I need to check my phone. Someone has been calling me nonstop since I got here.”

Natalie spun on her bottom to face away from Grandmother’s sour expression and dug out her phone from under her skirt. She heard the older woman tsk again, and blushed with embarrassment. At least she hadn’t stuck it inside her bra.

It was Garrett. He’d called eight times and texted a dozen increasingly urgent messages. Basically, he wanted to know if she was okay, and demanded she call him. Natalie sighed and shook her head. Did he think she was going to slip and reveal their secret? She peeked over her shoulder and hurriedly sent her husband a text.

I’m still with your grandmother. Everything is fine.

Liliana entered with a serving tray, and as they shared a lovely cup of tea, Natalie decided she felt eight percent less intimidated by Garrett’s grandmother than she had half an hour ago.

“Will you be staying home now that you’re married, ah-ga?” the older woman asked, setting down her teacup.

Grandmother had started calling her ah-ga, which was how an elder addressed a new bride in their family. She said the literal translation meant “baby,” and it made Natalie feel warm every time she called her that. It was silly to be touched by such a small thing, but learning about her heritage from her grandmother was more than she’d ever dreamed of.

“What? Oh, no. I’ve worked too hard to get where I am, and I plan to go even farther. I hope I can be one of those supermoms who do everything and a half.”

Grandmother’s lips tightened into a straight line. “Wouldn’t Garrett benefit from you staying home?”

“You of all people should understand that a woman’s place isn’t necessarily at home.” It wasn’t easy to say, but it had to be said.

“Such audacity,” the older woman said, but a faint smile softened her face. “But yes. I know very well that at times it takes a woman to build an empire.”

Natalie wanted to be just like Grandma Grace when she grew up. They were still smiling at each other, both a little shy and surprised by their unexpected connection, when Garrett flung open the door without knocking and skidded into his grandmother’s room.

It was as though he was expecting to face a raging battle. Instead, he found two sets of shocked female eyes focused on him. His heroic stance faltered and confusion took its place. “What’s going on?”

Grandmother’s expression turned stoic and hard, and Natalie wanted to whack Garrett on the back of his head. What is wrong with him? Did he think his grandmother was roasting me over a pit?

“Grandmother invited me to tea, honey. You should greet her properly and join us.”

Garrett’s mouth dropped open and his head swiveled back and forth between the two women before his gaze settled on his grandmother.

“Hal-muh-nee, have you been well?” His tone was endearingly hesitant.

“You know that I’ve been anything but,” she said with artful hauteur. “I see you’re practically glowing with health. Marriage must agree with you.”

“Yes. It does,” he said, his lips pressing into a stubborn line.

Mrs. Song didn’t give him permission to sit, and a tense silence filled the room.

“Please rest, hal-muh-nee. We’ll be on our way.” Garrett lifted Natalie to her feet. “Let’s go.”

Afraid to stumble and fall again, Natalie allowed herself to be tugged out the door. It was only when they were on the freeway heading home that she realized she hadn’t said goodbye to Grandmother.

She stole a peek at her husband’s profile. A muscle jumped in his jaw and his knuckles were white on the steering wheel.

“What were you doing there?” His voice was a low growl, and there was more than a small amount of anger in his words.

“She asked me to visit, and I’ve been wanting to meet her. Grandmother and I were getting along just fine until you barged in.”

“Grandmother?” He shot a surprised glance at her.

“Yes.” Natalie couldn’t hold back her smug smile. “I’m to address her as Grandmother, and she calls me ah-ga.”

“You...she...what?” Garrett’s head snapped toward her; he looked dumbstruck.

---