Chapter 3

Teresa moved my place card to a table near the door where the driver and a few distant relatives were seated.

I didn't argue. Grady had promised that once dinner started, he would introduce me to everyone properly.

Before long, one of his aunts smiled and asked, "Now that Grady's finally brought someone home, when are you two getting engaged?"

Elena patted Mallory's hand, beaming. "It's about time. I'm still waiting for a great-grandbaby."

I was about to stand when a message from Grady came through.

[Grandma's happy right now. Don't ruin it. I'll explain later.]

Apparently, even admitting that I was his girlfriend had to wait.

Just then, Teresa walked over carrying a set of keys. Mallory took them and casually set them on the table.

I recognized them immediately. They were the spare keys to the house Grady and I were supposed to move into after we got married.

I stared at them. "Why do you have a key to our house?"

Mallory smiled and drew another tarot card. "Brenda, the cards say you can't spend the first night there. Someone with good luck has to stay there first. Otherwise, you might not be able to hold on to the house... or your man."

I turned to Grady. "You're letting her stay in our house?"

He didn't answer me directly. "Just for a few days. You'll be living there for decades. What difference do a few days make?"

My gaze dropped to the tennis bracelet on Mallory's wrist.

"So now you're taking my place in my own home too." I looked at her. "Mallory, what next? Are you planning to take my place in his bed too?"

Grady's expression darkened instantly. "Enough. Brenda, Grandma is here. Do you really have to say something that disgusting in front of everyone?

"Mally is only staying there first for good luck. Why do you have to turn everything into something sexual?"

I stared at him in disbelief. "She's moving into our bedroom. And I'm the one making it inappropriate?"

Linda frowned. "What's the big deal? Grady and Mally grew up together. She's practically his sister. And it's not safe for a young woman to stay alone in an unfamiliar house. Grady can stay there with her at night in case she needs anything."

Mallory looked at me. "Brenda, you're not going to have a problem with that too, are you?"

I didn't answer. I only waited for Grady to refuse.

He was silent for several seconds. Then he looked at me. "It's just two nights."

Whatever warmth I had left for him vanished.

After dinner, he pulled me into the study. The moment the door closed, his voice turned cold. "You need to apologize to Mally."

I looked up at him.

"She's doing us a favor by staying at the house, and you asked her in front of everyone if she wanted to sleep with me. Do you have any idea how humiliating that was for her?"

I stared at him, almost unable to believe what I was hearing. "She was humiliated? Grady, what about me?"

He rubbed between his brows. "Brenda, stop acting like you're always the victim. If it bothers you that much, once she moves out, I'll buy us a new bed."

I asked quietly, "And if I say no?"

Grady studied me for a few seconds. Then he smiled. "You won't. We've been together for five years. You really think I don't know you?"

He reached up and smoothed a strand of hair back into place, his voice turning gentle. "Your parents are gone. You've spent so long planning the house and the wedding.

"Brenda, you won't walk away from all of this."

So he knew. He knew exactly how hard it would be for me to leave. That was why none of the love I'd poured into this relationship felt precious to him.

He glanced at the time.

"I'm going to the house with Mally tonight. You should go back to your apartment and cool off. I'll pick you up tomorrow for the engagement party."

He opened the study door.

Mallory was already waiting outside, the keys to my future home in her hand.

"See, Brenda?" She held up the tarot card. "Even the cards say this is all for your own good."

When I didn't take it, she loosened her fingers, and the card fluttered to the floor beside my feet.

I looked down at the blurry black image printed across its face, not wanting to argue anymore.