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He smiled grimly. "I'm a lousyfather."

"That's not true. You-"

"And I learned from the very best."Tossing back the drink, he put the glass down with precise care. "Theold man was an excellent teacher. He taught me well."

Her eyes flickered away from his and shefelt the familiar pressure in her chest.

"You can be better."

"I would not know where to start. Didyou really take him for a drive?"

"Why would I lie?"

"Good question." His expressionturned cold and forbidding. "And if I find out he's defying me,I will make good on my promise. He needs discipline and needs tolearn that he cannot do as he damn well pleases."

Millicent pressed her lips together andtamped down her frustrated anger.

"He's just a boy and boys act out."

His eyes glinted at that. "I remembertrying that several times and I am sure you can recall what happenedwhen I did."

"Jack-"

"I was locked in the wine cellar forthe rest of the night. It was dark and damp and I was ordered not touse any lights. And I was not allowed any food. You never came to myrescue."

A keen slice of pain shimmered through herand had her pressing a hand to her chest. "He would not let me."

"Of course not. He was a tyrant."His expression was grim. "I prefer a more direct approach. Ihave no intention of locking the boy in the wine cellar, he wouldprobably thank me for it, in any case."

"His name is Jason." She saidprimly.

Gray eyes lasered into hers and had herlifting her chin. "I know his name. I am a product of my rearingmother, remember that. Goodnight."

She sat right where he left her, shouldersstraight, spine rigid. Her hands were clamped in a tight fist, andshe had to fight to get her breathing under control. She sat in thelovely room, with the beautiful antique pieces scattered around theelegantspace. The rose silk wallswere covered with expensive artworks. A Michael O'Keefe was hangingover the baby grand piano. It was just there for show. She could playvery well but had not bothered to sit on the bench and lose herselfin the pleasure of allowing the music to seep into her soul.

The creative part of her had died a fewmonths after her marriage to a man she thought she was in love with.He had been so charming, so handsome and gracious. He had fooled herinto believing that he was a different person.

Blinking away tears, she rose gracefully.She would continue to try for her grandson's sake and hope with time,her son would come to realize what he has before it was too late.

*****

As she walked out of the salon, the quiethouse echoed with memories she would rather forget. Each step shetook reverberated through the empty hallways like the ghost of herpast, reminding her of each painful moment she had endured for thesake of her family.

The rooms, filled with opulence andgrandeur, felt cold and uninviting. The chandeliers sparkledbrilliantly, but they seemed to mock her sadness, their brilliancecontrasting the darkness that had settled in her heart. She wanderedinto the library, her sanctuary, where she sought solace in the pagesof forgotten books. She ran her fingers along the spines of the oldleather-bound volumes, feeling the texture that had always broughther comfort.

She stopped at a window that overlooked thegarden. The moonlight bathed the flowers in a soft glow, and shefound herself longing for the days when life seemed simpler, when herburdens were far less heavy. Her thoughts drifted to Jason, hopingthat the love she carried for him would somehow bridge the gapbetween him and his father.

The ticking of the old grandfather clock inthe corner reminded her that time was relentless, moving forwarddespite her wishes otherwise. Determined to make a difference, shestraightened her shoulders and turned away from the window, ready tocontinue her silent battle for her grandson's sake.

Through the darkness, she saw a glimmer ofhope, and for the first time in years, she felt a spark ofdetermination rise within her. She would protect Jason and guide him,even if it meant fighting against the shadows of her past.

Firming her lips, she made her way up thestaircase.

*****

"You look pensive." Zach wanderedinto the shared sitting room and handed her a bottle of beer. "What'sgoing on?"

Lifting the bottle to her lips, shestretched her legs out and welcomed the attention he gave them byrubbing her screaming insteps.