Page 106 of Billion Dollar Vow

I make my way to Grams first, her face lighting up when she sees me. She looks better today, her cheeks flushed with color, and her emerald-green checkered dress with a white cardigan neat as ever. I lean down, pressing a light kiss to her cheek, careful not to be too rough.

After greeting her, I move to Mom and Dad. Mom smiles as I kiss her cheek. Dad shakes my hand firmly before I make my way around the room.

“Will you play basketball with us?” Chad pipes up. Chad is my brother Harvey’s stepson.

I glance at Harvey, raising an eyebrow. “Basketball?”

Harvey grins and shrugs casually. “I promised him we’d play a friendly game.”

I snort. “Friendly? I don’t think we’ve ever played a friendly game of basketball.”

Growing up, Harvey and I were always at each other’s throats when it came to competition—sports, jobs, even girls. If there was a way to win, we went all in.

“Even Pop is playing,” Chad says, his excitement contagious.

I look at Dad, my eyebrows shooting up. “You’re playing?”

He ruffles Chad’s blond hair with a soft smile. “Yeah, I don’t want to miss out.”

I glance at Harvey again, noting the ease in his expression. He doesn’t even flinch at Chad calling our dad, “Pop.”

It’s sweet, really, and the way Mom and Dad beam at Chad warms my chest. He’s fit into the family so effortlessly, andseeing how much they adore him just reinforces how special he is. For a moment, the thought of Karley being part of this family makes me smile. She’s going to be just fine. Karley is working today. She tried to get out of it, but couldn’t.

The living room buzzes with low chatter and the occasional laugh, but Jeremy cuts through it all, leaning forward in his chair. “So, other than a family game of basketball, why are we here, Oliver?”

I stand, shifting my weight as I try to steady myself. “Well, now that I have you all here, I have a couple of announcements.”

The room quiets instantly, all eyes on me.

“I got married.” I let the words hang in the air.

A few gasps echo around the room. One of them is definitely Grams, her frail hands pressing to her chest as she stares at me, wide-eyed. The excitement in her eyes is impossible to miss, but so is the shock. Guilt twists my stomach. Maybe I should’ve told her first.

“You what?” Dad says, his brows shooting up like he’s not sure he heard me right.

“Oh my God,” Mom murmurs, her hands covering her mouth.

“When did this happen?” Dad asks.

“Recently,” I say. “We didn’t tell anyone at first because… well, we wanted to keep it just us for a while.”

Gram beams. “Are you happy?”

“I am,” I say softly.

Jeremy whistles low. “Damn. Married before me. Didn’t see that coming.”

“I’m gonna need some wedding photos,” Mom adds with a laugh. “Or at least a date for the reception I assume you didn’t throw.”

“Don’t worry,” I say. “I’m planning something. You’ll all be there.”

Grams’ eyes are filled with tears now. “I can’t wait to meet her. And you better bring her to Sunday dinner next week. No excuses.”

I nod, heart swelling. “I will.”

“And that’s not all…” I continue before someone speaks, turning to face Mom. I step toward her, taking her hands gently and coaxing her to stand. She rises slowly, looking around the room, clearly trying to process my words.

“Oliver?” she asks, her voice soft but cautious.