Chapter 7

ZAYN

Grandma hardly ever showed up at my house unannounced, especially since her condition had worsened. 

But today, she had arrived without warning, and I hadn’t even had the opportunity to prepare her for Peyton’s presence.

I dragged a hand down my face, fighting the frustration building inside me.

 Now, thanks to my grandmother’s outburst, Peyton was bound to have questions.

Fortunately, there was one convenient explanation I could use.

Her dementia.

I hated myself a little for using my grandmother’s condition as an excuse to conceal the truth, but I couldn’t afford to let Peyton discover who Elena was or what had happened between us. The past was buried for a reason, and I intended to keep it there.

A frustrated cry from outside interrupted my thoughts.

I glanced toward the window and spotted my grandmother sitting in the back seat of her car, gesturing angrily at the driver while Aunt Margaret attempted to calm her from beside her.

I had already gone outside once to ask the driver to take her home, but she had thrown a fit the moment he suggested leaving. She had refused to get into the car, insisting she wouldn’t leave until I sent Peyton away.

Now, I had no choice but to deal with the situation myself.

With a weary sigh, I headed outside.

“Zayn!” Grandma called the moment she saw me approaching. “Tell the driver to stop touching my things. We’re not going anywhere until you listen to me!”

The driver immediately stepped back, looking relieved to see me.

I opened the car door and crouched beside my grandmother, taking her trembling hands in mine.

“Hey, Grandma,” I murmured. “Look at me.”

She turned toward me, her eyes still shining with anger.

“Why are you protecting her?” she demanded. “You know what she did to you. You know how much she hurt you, and yet you’ve brought her back into your house!”

I swallowed the bitter taste in my mouth.

“I know you’re upset, but you’re safe. Nobody is going to hurt you.”

“Don’t lie to me, Zayn!”

“I’m not lying.” I brushed a loose strand of silver hair away from her face. “I’m right here, aren’t I? Nothing is going to happen to you while I’m here.”

Her expression wavered, and for a moment, I caught a glimpse of the grandmother who used to sit beside me when I was a child, patiently listening to my complaints and telling me that no problem was too big to overcome.

Those moments seemed increasingly rare these days.

“I don’t want her near you,” she whispered, gripping my fingers. “Promise me you won’t let her hurt you again.”

My chest tightened.

There were things I wished I could explain to her, but her mind had already dragged her back to a time I desperately wanted to leave behind.

“I promise I’ll take care of myself,” I assured her, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Now, why don’t we get you comfortable? You’ve had a long day.”

She stared at me for several seconds before her shoulders gradually relaxed.

The driver approached with a small packet of medication and held it out to me.

“Sir, her prescribed dose,” he said quietly.

I nodded, checking the label before helping my grandmother take her medication with the water Margaret handed me. We waited a few minutes while I kept her company, rubbing soothing circles over the back of her hand as she muttered occasionally about Elena.

Eventually, her eyelids began to droop.

I wrapped my arms around her, holding her carefully as her breathing grew slower and more even. Within minutes, she had fallen asleep against me.

A long breath escaped my lungs.

Finally.

I leaned back against the seat, allowing myself a moment of relief as I watched her peaceful face. The medication would help her rest, and hopefully, when she woke up, the worst of her agitation would have passed.

But my relief didn’t last long.

Because while my grandmother slept, I couldn’t stop thinking about Peyton waiting inside the house.

She had already witnessed enough to become suspicious, and I knew her curiosity wouldn’t disappear simply because I had asked her to forget what happened.

I would have to be careful to keep Peyton In my present and far away from the truth.