Page 114 of I Don't Need Your Protection
He holds out his hands and I place mine inside. “I want to talk to you about your father and what happened between us.”
I nod with a swallow. Ever since I found out I had a grandfather, I’ve been wondering what happened between him and my dad. All my life, I yearned to have a grandparent, and my dad made me believe his dad was dead. I’m definitely ready for answers.
“He and I didn’t get along well his whole life,” Grandfather begins, pain, heartache, and regret laced with every word. “No matter the circumstance or situation, he and I argued over every little thing. Looking back now, I suppose I could have been more present in his life. I was always away on business trips or cooped up in my office. I didn’t understand that he acted out because he just wanted me in his life.
“It got worse when he was a teenager. Perhaps because he lost his mother to cancer.” Grandfather’s lips tremble when he tells me the rest of the story. “He grew rebellious in his late teens. He resented so much of what I did for him. He resentedbeing born into a wealthy family, he resented my trying to provide him with the best education. He resented my prepping him to take over the business. He resented me for trying to choose a future wife for him. No matter what I did, he always saw me as the devil. One time, he even accused me of not doing enough to save his mother. I knew that came from a place of pain, but at the time, I closed my heart to him. He and I pulled further and further away from each other, and I barely noticed when we were completely estranged.”
His lips tremble more now, and I squeeze his hands.
“I came to my senses many years later. Perhaps at first it was because I was getting older and realized I needed an heir to take over the company. And your dad picked up on that. I later understood it was more than that. I wanted to fix my relationship with my son. But by then, it was too late. Your father refused to have me in his life. And my pride kept me from pursuing it further. I suppose your father had pride as well. I should have pushed harder. I shouldn’t have given up so easily.” Tears gather in his eyes. “It was easier to cut him off from my life than to work hard to gain his trust again. I didn’t know anything about his life. I didn’t know he got married and had a daughter. It wasn’t until I hired a private investigator to investigate what I thought were their suspicious deaths that I learned I had a granddaughter.”
He lets go of my hand for a moment to wipe at the corner of his eyes. “I apologize, Addie. I should have fought harder to be in your dad’s life. If I knew he had a child, that I had a grandchild, perhaps I would have. I don’t want to make thesame mistakes with you like I did with your father. I would like to purchase a house near your school and visit you as often as I can, and grow close to you. If that is something you’re interested in.”
I lower my eyes to my lap. “Would I be betraying my dad if I were to have a relationship with you?” I whisper. “My dad’s not here to explain why he made the decisions he made. He told me you were dead.” I slowly lift my eyes to his. “Why would he do that if he’d be okay with you being in my life?”
A look of pain and understanding passes over his face. “You’re correct. Your father isn’t here. But ultimately, you need to make that decision for yourself. I’m not the same man I was back then, and you are not your father. I promise I will do all that I can to make up for the years we lost. You’re the only thing I have left of my son.” He brings his hand to my head and gently strokes my hair. “You look so much like your father,” he whispers in a pained voice. “Your eyes…”
I feel tears gather in my eyes, too.
“We can’t change the past,” he continues. “But we can change the present and the future. If you’d let me, I’d like to prove to you that I can be the grandfather you deserve. Forget about being an heiress for now. That’s not important. What’s important is you and I, and the relationship we can build together.” He rests his hands on mine again. “You don’t have to make any decisions now. Take as long as you need.”
I shake my head. “I don’t need time to think things over. I want you to be in my life, Grandfather. I might never know why my dad cut ties with you, but this is my life and mydecision. And I want to get to know the only family I have left. It just might be hard for me to get used to living such a wealthy lifestyle.”
He holds up his hands. “You’re free to live your life however you wish. I’m done making decisions for other people. That drove my son away from me and I’ll never allow that to happen to you as well. You’re the only one who can decide how you wish to live your life, Addie. I only hope I can be part of it.”
With a smile, I lean forward to hug him. He returns the hug, and I bury my face in his suit, breathing in his expensive cologne. “I want you in my life. I’m excited for this new beginning. I think great things are in store for us.”
He kisses the top of my head. “I feel so as well.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
Caleb
As soon as Addie and Mr. Bradshaw leave the infirmary, I find a private hospital room and shut the door behind me.
Once I’m seated on a chair, I take out my phone to video chat with Dad. He answers immediately, and when he takes in the bruises on my face, his eyes fill with alarm.
“I’m okay,” I assure him. “It looks worse than it is.”
He smiles in relief. Dad has the same shade of hair as me, but his eyes are a lighter blue. “I’m glad to hear that. I’ve been briefed on what happened and I want to congratulate you on a job well done.”
I lower my eyes. “I let myself and my charge get captured. I wasn’t there for her.”
“But you were in the end. You managed to free yourself and you saved her life. That’s what counts. She’s alive because of you.”
I nod slowly as my mind absorbs his words. “What if I hadn’t gotten to her in time?”
“You were determined to. You did everything you possibly could, son. You’re only human and you weren’t prepared for an ambush. Please don’t be so hard on yourself.”
“I’ll try not to.”
He watches me for a bit. “You have feelings for her.”
My eyes widen. “Dad…”
He smiles. “This is a good thing, Caleb. I’ve been thinking that I haven’t been fair to you.”
“What do you mean?”
