7A 1
EPISODE 21%
Grandma Adela still insisted that an heir was necessary. Although she claimed to support true love, it was only under the condition that I could bear children. That was her only requirement.
“I support your love, truly,” Grandma said, her voice calm but edged with steel. Her eyes never left mine, sharp and assessing. “But only if it can give us a future. A child. Otherwise, it’s nothing more than a fantasy.””
Ulysses scoffed, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. He stood like a wall between me and his grandmother, eyes burning with restrained anger. “You’re reducing love for biology, Grandma. She’s not a broodmare.“M
“Biology sustains bloodlines,” she shot back, sitting straighter, the pearls around her neck rattling slightly. Her lips thinned, eyes narrowing. “You think it’s unfair to want grandchildren? To want our name to survive another generation?“W
“You talk like she’s defective,” Ulysses said, easily dismissing her. “Maybe it was Lucas who had the problem. Maybe it wasn’t her at all. But even if it was, so what? I still love her. And I won’t let your obsession with heirs define our future.“”
Grandma’s fingers curled tightly over the armrest of her chair. Her knuckles turned white.}}
“That’s not love, that’s recklessness,” she spat. “What about your duty in our family? Do you wish to grow old without anyone to take good care of you?”
“That thinking is already very old, Grandma. Nobody treats their children as investments now,” he said. “If we want a child, there’s IVF. There’s surrogacy. This is the twenty–first century.“}
Her nose wrinkled in disdain, as though the very words offended her senses.
Unnatural. Weak. Children from tubes or strangers, how do you know what blood they really carry? I want strong grandchildren. Not science experiments.“}
Her gaze sharpened like a blade, and she leaned forward, her voice laced with finality. “You should marry Catelyn.“}}
I froze. My breath caught in my throat. Ulysses tensed beside me like a bow pulled taut.”
“Over my dead body,” he growled.”
Grandma forged ahead, oblivious or uncaring of his fury. “Catelyn comes from a healthy, reputable family. Strong lineage. She’ll give you the heirs you need. Our families are close, no awkward transitions needed after marriage. And you’ve known each other for years.”
Catelyn, who had been quiet until now, lowered her gaze and offered a delicate smile. Her fingers twisted the edge of her sleeve, her posture demure.”
“Grandma, I’m honored. Really. But I don’t want to be the cause of tension. Ulysses has been clear. We’re just friends.”
She paused, then sighed softly, casting a careful glance toward me. “Forcing feelings won’t end well. I’d hate to be the wedge between us.”
Grandma dismissed her modesty with a flick of her hand. “Friendship turns to love. That’s how these things begin.“”
Catelyn looked down, her tone sweet, but her lips twitched ever so slightly in satisfaction. “If Ulysses changes his mind… I wouldn’t oppose it.“”
Grandma’s eyes gleamed. She turned to Ulysses, triumphant. “See? Even Catelyn is reasonable. Why can’t you be, Ulysses?“}
Catelyn turned toward him, her expression hopeful, only to freeze when she saw the storm in his eyes.”
“Because I’m not some pawn in a dynasty game,” Ulysses said, voice like thunder waiting to break. His shoulders were rigid, fists clenched tight. “I came here to inform you. I’m marrying Selene. Not negotiating. Not begging for approval. If you want to cut me out of your will, do it. I don’t care.“}
Grandma’s face twisted. Her lips curled, disgust etched in every line. “You’ve always been perfect. Smart. Disciplined. Why destroy it all for a woman with a ruined past? The others in this family are vultures. If you walk away, the company falls into incompetent
hands.”
Ulysses didn’t flinch. He stared at her with unwavering calm. “Then let it. I’ll build something better. Something that’s mine.”
“You arrogant boy-”
“Say one more word, Grandma,” he said, his voice turning cold as steel. “Just one more insult, and I’ll ask you to leave.”
Silence dropped heavy and thick. Even the air felt frozen. Grandma’s lip trembled. Her eyes darted between us, her cheeks flushed with rage. “You’d sever our bond for her? For a barren woman whose past drips in scandal?”
Ulysses stepped forward, blocking me entirely from her view. His body was rigid, a shield.
“You were my role model. But if you can’t respect the woman I love, then you’ve failed me. If you want me out, I’ll leave. I’ll elope with her and never look back.”
Grandma stood abruptly, her cane clattering against the marble floor. Her hands shook as she steadied herself, breath ragged. She snapped her fingers at her maid.”
“We’re leaving. The longer I stay here, the more my blood boils. I hope you won’t regret this, Ulysses.“}
She hissed over her shoulder as she walked toward the door, her back straight despite the tremble in her steps. “You’ve grown wings. Let’s see if they won’t burn.”
Catelyn hesitated. Her eyes darted between me and Ulysses. Her jaw clenched, her grip on her bag tightening. But one look at Ulysses’s furious glare sent her scurrying after the old woman.
The door slammed behind them.
Silence reigned.&
I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I had been holding, my knees suddenly weak.”
Ulysses turned and pulled me into his arms, wrapping them around me like armor. His embrace was firm, grounding. He leaned down and kissed my forehead, holding me close.”
“You don’t need to worry,” he murmured, his voice soft, almost soothing. “It’s just old people with their tradition. We don’t have to follow their old thinking.”
I looked up at him, my voice quiet. “How can I not worry? I can see that she was really concerned about you. Your words were harsh, you know? Can’t you see that she was hurt by them? Just because of me, I created a rift between you two.”
He chuckled lowly, brushing a lock of hair behind my ear. “She’s just stubborn. She’ll come around. Maybe she’ll even show up with some priceless heirloom and pretend none of this happened.“\
I laughed a little, the tension in my chest beginning to dissolve. I rested my head on his shoulder, letting the moment calm my
nerves.
Our relationship continued to grow. Every day, Ulysses made me feel valued, adored. He came home early, often bringing my favorite pastries or flowers from the garden. Dinner became our ritual. The maids and butler teased me openly, whispering that their master had never looked more alive.
I noticed it, too… In the way he smiled more, the relaxed way he carried himself. And most of all, the way his eyes always sought me in a room.
After a month, I told him I wanted a job. I needed to stand on my own, to contribute something.”
“You don’t have to,” he said one morning, adjusting his tie. “I can give you everything.”
I smiled, standing in the doorway. “I don’t want everything. I just want to feel like I’m doing something worthwhile.”
He walked over and kissed my forehead. “Then do it. I’ll support you, just don’t forget to come home to me.“}
That day, I went out to submit my documents, a bounce in my step. I finished early and called Ulysses, letting him know I was heading back. The sky was clear, the breeze warm. I felt free. As I turned toward my car, something shifted.”
There was a presence behind me, a shadow lurking dangerously close. Suddenly, a handkerchief clamped down over my mouth. I immediately struggled, trying to break free, but the sweet smell from the cloth put me in a trance.}
I didn’t know what happened next. I simply blacked out and lost consciousness.
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