Page 16 of The Fake Husband Deal

“Lior,” my mom said in the same tone reserved for when I was ten and had skipped homework to go visit my grandfather in his workshop.

Stained glass had been his life and his passion. Yes, it had paved the way to a Fortune 500 enterprise, but at heart, he’d been first and foremost a craftsman.

I’d heard the story so many times.

“Don’t forget where we come from, Lior. Your Dutch grandfather taught me everything he knew about stained glass so his legacy could be preserved for the new generations after the war ended.”

“He let you marry grandma and bring her to America. She was very pretty.”

“The most beautiful person I’ve ever met.”

“When you and grandma moved here you opened your workshop and put to practice everything that great-grandpa taught you. And that’s why we have grandma’s name.”

“Correct.”

“Can you help me make a window for Mom’s office? It needs more color and her birthday is coming up.”

“Absolutely, Lior.”

I pushed thoughts of grandfather away. Today was about the other man that had shaped my life and was about to shape my future.

“Hi, Mom.” I kissed her cheek and took my chair next to hers at the top of the large conference table.

“You left early yesterday.”

I bit my tongue to stop myself from acknowledging the elephant in the room or saying something I’d regret.

Sorry, Mother, I stayed long enough to fill my schedule for the next decade, so I figured grabbing a drink and burying myself in a stranger was my reward for having to do business during my father’s funeral. Oh, and forgive me for not wanting to be around people after discovering my dad has a secret will.

Yes, that was going to go down well.

Around the room, everyone talked in whispers, but they may as well be fucking shouting.

Why did Lior Van Stern Sr. have a secret will?

What was in it? A secret child?

Was he going to make his own family destitute?

What’s in it for me?

I scrolled through emails on my phone to drown them all out until Mr. Hoffman came in. The attorney my dad had hired without telling his wife and only son.

Thoughts of last night filtered through, and I felt guilty for indulging in the memory.

I couldn’t remember when I’d ever had such a quick connection with another man. The way he’d given himself so freely, like it was something he’d needed more than wanted. It called out to a side of me that didn’t come out very often.

“Good morning, Mrs. Van Stern, Mr. Van Stern, gentlemen.” Mr. Hoffman entered the conference room holding his briefcase to his chest like he was afraid someone would tackle it out of him.

He placed the briefcase on the table. The click of the clasps sounded loudly in the room where silence now reigned.

Did everyone really think my dad was keeping some dark secret that would destroy the company?

“Since I’ve already introduced myself to each of you prior to this meeting, we’ll get straight to it, shall we?” Mr. Hoffman looked at me and my mom.

“Please,” I said.

“Mr. Van Stern contacted my law firm shortly after he was diagnosed. He wanted to ensure his wishes were seen to by a third party with no connection to Van Stern Enterprises.” He turned to my mother. “Mr. Van Stern was a strong-willed man but just a man, and it was a pleasure working with him. Over the past year, I had access to a side of Mr. Van Stern he perhaps reserved for a select few. We did not always agree, but like I said, he was a determined man.”