Page 33 of Bitter Lies

“But you can’t,” I say, yanking the door open. “Hope you had fun, because that’s the last time you’ll touch me. It’s time we go our separate ways.”

Before he can stop me, I’m out the door. The hairs on the back of my neck prickle, his presence palpable behind me. I need to put distance between us, before he drags me back into that room and makes me a liar.

As my grandmother and Marty ascend the stairs, I quietly slide in next to her. “There you are.”

“Everything okay, miss?” Marty glances over the railing to where a fuming Aiden scowls up at us.

“Fine. One last look around, then I say we grab gelato on the way home. Would you like gelato, Grams?” My grandmother has a sweet tooth and can never resist temptation.

“I think I may. Is your new friend joining us? Where is he?” When she smiles at me, her eyes beam with adoration.

With a nervous laugh and a shake of my head, I offer only half-truths. “He had to leave. Business. Plus, this is our night out, one I’ve been looking forward to.”

When we reach the top of the staircase, my eyes glance back for a brief second. Aiden’s no longer watching, and sadness settles over me, knowing I meant what I said.

We are from different worlds. This thing between us won’t last. It can’t. Better to stop it now before one of us gets hurt. I fear it’s a little too late for that, but at least I’ll be less hurt than I would’ve been if this continued.

Smiling, I lead my grandmother toward the main display. Its magnificence draws us in from across the room. We came up here earlier to see it, and it’s truly breathtaking.

Even now, I’m torn. Part of me loves it, but something about it doesn’t sit right.

“It’s lovely, isn’t it?” a familiar voice declares behind us.

Turning, I find him smiling, but his gaze is fixed on my grandmother, not me. When I follow his attention, I catch her staring back at him, her expression startled at first, but it’s gone just as quickly, her composure slipping back into place.

She offers him a warm smile, then turns her attention back to the artwork.

As soon as she looks away, his focus lands on me, coal-black eyes meeting mine. “Fancy meeting you here, Izzy. And who is this lovely woman with you?”

“This is my grandmother.” I touch her hand to draw her attention. “Grandmother, this is Mr. Doyle.”

“I know who he is, dear.” Unexpectedly, she lets go of my hand and pats Silas’s cheek. “It’s been a long time. You should come by the penthouse. I have a new painting I think you’ll like.”

Silas reaches down and takes her hand in his, bringing it to his lips. “I’d love that. So, this is your granddaughter? She looks so much like Sofia. When I met her a few days ago, I couldn’t quite place who she reminded me of. Now I see it.”

My grandmother goes still at his words, visibly shaken. Her knees buckle beneath her.

Silas is quick and reaches out to catch her before she collapses.

“Grams, are you okay?” I wrap an arm around her shoulder, holding her up with his help. “Maybe we should sit down.”

“Here, let me help.” With care, Silas guides her to a row of chairs against the far wall. Once he has her seated, he turns to me. “I’ll grab her a bottled water. Don’t move.”

Offering a nod, I take the seat next to her. “Grams, are you okay?”

“Yes, dear, I’m fine. Just a dizzy spell, that’s all.” With a gentle touch, she pats my hand, her fingers lingering for a moment. “I’m ready to leave. Out did myself. Go tell Marty we’re ready so he can fetch the car.”

“Are you sure?” I look around the room, spotting Marty by the exit. “I don’t want to leave you alone.”

Just then, Silas is back with the water. He unscrews the lid and passes it to Grams as he takes the chair on the other side. “Drink this.”

She accepts the bottle, lifts it to her lips with practiced grace. After a small sip she smiles at him, something soft and distant settling in her features. “You were always such a kind boy.”

Her gaze lingers on him longer than it should. “I never understood why they were so against the two of you. I tried talking sense into them, but…” She exhales softly. “I was overruled.”

A heavy pause as silence stretches between them.

“Sofia loved you. Cried for days after you left. My poor sweet girl never understood why you walked away without so much as a goodbye.” Her fingers tighten around the bottle; a frown overtaking her smile. “If I’d stood my ground… done more… maybe Sofia would still be alive.”