Page 52

Without warning, Janet lunged forward, hand raised, ready to slap Anya across the face.
“Mom! What the hell are you doing?”
Dante’s voice cut through the hallway like a blade. He stormed down the stairs, clearly still drunk, but his expression was deadly serious. His eyes burned with anger as he stepped in front of Anya, shielding her with his body.
“No one touches her. Not even you. Not now. Notever,” he growled.
Janet froze, her hand suspended in the air, eyes wide.
“You’re defendingthatgirl?” she cried out, her voice shrill with disbelief. “Have you lost your mind? Did you forget what your father told you before he died? He told you to listen to me! You promised to marry Annie—”
“I never promised to marry her,” Dante said coldly. “You begged me to meet her. I did. But she never showed up. That was your plan, not mine. It ends there.”
Janet’s face twisted. “She was sick! You think that means anything? You expect her to be perfect all the time? She’s Annie Carter! She can have tantrums if she wants to! You’re still going to meet her again—and you’ll marry her.”
Without a word, Anya slipped her hand from Dante’s grasp and stepped back.
Dante’s gaze snapped to her. He immediately frowned, his jaw clenched. “Where are you going?”
He turned back to Janet. His voice was a hoarse growl. “For the record—I’m going to reject Annie the moment I see her. I will never marry her.”
“You’re being ridiculous,” Janet snapped. “You just need time with Annie. If you met her properly, you'd fall in love with her. She’s everything you need!”
“I said no!” Dante roared, the sound vibrating through the hall. “I know what I want. And it’s not her.” His temples throbbed, the alcohol making his head swim, but his voice was clear. “Stop trying to control my life!”
A beat of silence.
Just then, another voice echoed from the hall.
“What’s all this noise?”
Griffin stepped into the hall, his hair gleaming under the chandelier. His cane tapped once on the marble floor before his gaze landed on Anya, and softened.
“Anya… you came back,” he said gently.
She offered him a faint smile.
Griffin hurried over, gently taking her hands in his. “Are you okay? Did you eat anything? Do you need help with anything?” His concern was written all over his face.
“I’m fine, Grandpa,” she said softly. “I have a place. I’m staying with a friend.”
“That’s good.” Griffin smiled warmly. “But if you ever need anything, you come to me. I’ll take care of you.”
“Yes, Grandpa,” she whispered. Then, glancing at Dante, she added, “I should go now. Please take care of yourself, and Dante. He’s still drunk.”
With that, she turned and walked out quietly, the door closing behind her.
Griffin watched her leave with a worried expression. Dante’s shoulders sagged, the fire in his eyes dimming as he stared at the door she disappeared through.
Then Griffin muttered, almost to himself, “I told you to get together with Anya when your mother wasn’t here. You didn’t listen. If you had married her back then, Janet wouldn’t be trying to shove someone else down your throat.”
Janet’s mouth dropped open in disbelief. “Dad?! How can you say that? How can you let him marryher? She has nothing! She’s practically homeless! And now you’re comparing her to Charles’ daughter?”
Griffin turned slowly to her, eyes like steel. “If you’re so obsessed with marrying into a rich family, why don’tyouget married and move out? Stop sacrificing your son’s happiness just to satisfy your own damn pride, Janet.”
Janet’s face flushed red with fury. “How can you say something like that to me?!”
“Grandpa, let’s go. I’ll take you to your room,” Dante said quietly, stepping in before it escalated further.