Chapter 16

Ronika

"I know about your secret, honey. I know a lot about it." That was the first thing Quinlan's grandmother said the moment she came into Quinlan's room as I was cleaning. Her words had my hands freezing, and I dropped the pillow that was in my hands. No one knew about it except my late mother and my father.

"Don't worry about it; it's safe with me," she added, walking over to Quinlan's bedside. I was dumbstruck, standing unmoving as she stood beside me. Again, like the first time we met, her proximity brought about a sense of calmness that slowed down my heartbeat. It almost lulled me into a sudden sleep, but I fought it and focused on what she had just said.

"Ma'am," I whispered.

"Don't ma'am me; call me Nana. Now come, this is not your work." She held my hand, her touch sparking a warmth that only my mother provided when she was around.

"It is my work," I argued, wary of what Quinlan would do if I didn't finish cleaning his room. It was important for me to try and get on his go