Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 61 - Chapitre 70

Alice’s POV“No, I don’t know how he found out but he called me and wants us to come to the mansion tomorrow for a dinner and then a banquet the next day to celebrate,” David explained, glancing at Arlington and Adam, who were suspiciously quiet. “What is going on?”“Nothing, but I’m not going,” I replied angrily. “I won’t be summoned like a servant.”“He… come on Alice. You know grandpa isn’t well and he sounded so happy to talk about the baby, to celebrate,” David insisted, his voice soft, almost sincere. “Please, let’s just give this to him.”I contemplated his words, knowing I couldn’t disappoint or hurt grandpa. I was already lying to him, and I couldn’t continue to treat him like this. He’d been so kind to me, so accepting, and I couldn’t imagine denying him this happiness that he had been waiting years for.“Fine, dinner tomorrow, banquet the next day,” I sighed. “Does he know about the divorce?”“No!” David replied quickly, shaking his head. “So please, Alice, please don’t exp

Alice’s POVI was flattered by grandpa’s generous gift. Everyone congratulated me, offered me their kind words, and we all laughed and discussed the fun dinner parties that grandma had hosted there years ago. Since she passed, the manor had been empty, and grandpa protected it like a guard dog. Now, he was so happy to give it to me that I couldn’t outright refuse.Then dinner was announced and everyone made their way to the large dining room, packing around the extended table, all sixteen of us chattering, enjoying the chef’s delicious food, and commenting on baby names, including old names from the family tree. I wasn’t sure what to expect tonight but sitting at grandpa’s right hand, David across from me, made me forget my troubles temporarily.It was beautiful, all of us gathered like this. However, behind the smiles, I could see something different. There was some envy from other family members, some quiet remarks, and some genuine disbelief. I could see Lily, seated farther down t

Alice’s POV“Yes, a grieving widow should have time to grieve and with the right people,” grandpa continued. “I’ve heard from my sister, who is also grieving the loss of her son. You remember your mother-in-law, yes?”Lily didn’t get a chance to answer, grandpa continuing relentlessly.“I think you should go stay with her, in England,” grandpa suggested, though it was anything but a suggestion. “My sister is getting older, and she is in mourning. It would do her and you some good to take care of her and share your grief over Lucas. Grief can be lonely, so this seems a good solution.”The room was silent, and I was sure that Lily would have an outburst. I expected her to cry, to protest, to beg, but she remained silent, calm, sipping her coffee as she considered grandpa’s words.“Grandpa, is that really necessary?” David asked, but Lily just smiled, laughing softly.“You’re probably right, it would be good to see my mother-in-law,” Lily spoke, setting her cup down. “But can it wait unt

Alice’s POVAfter dinner, the musicians that had been playing in the grand ballroom started playing the waltz and other classical songs while everyone grabbed their drinks and socialized. The young danced, the old chatted and stuck to the walls of the room. It was a typical event, nothing out of the ordinary, but when nine o’clock struck, the servants led people into the great gardens. Here, grandpa had set up a small stage with a large canvas screen. A projector was bouncing the words “Neighley” across it.Grandpa had always been full of surprises, but I never expected this. He stepped up onto the stage in front of his hundred guests, and family, smiling and waving as a technician handed him a microphone.“Good evening my family, friends, colleagues, and treasured few,” he winked, making everyone chuckle. “Tonight, we celebrate my family. We’ve been a part of this country, this city, for almost two-hundred years. We’ve seen a lot and have done our best to be pillars of the community.

Alice’s POVI couldn’t believe what the nurse was saying. I didn’t want to believe it. My stomach was turning and my head was pounding. My eyes stung with tears as I tried to compose myself, but nothing was working. Grandpa had died. Grandpa had died because the shock of the divorce between David and I had given him a heart attack. This was our fault.The last thing he said to me echoed in my mind as I tried to comprehend where I would go from here. How could I be so stupid? So irresponsible? Grandpa was dead and now everything would change.“The doctors will make arrangements with the coroner,” the nurse whispered, coming over to place a hand on my shoulder.David and Lily were in a tight embrace, David’s body shaking in her arms as she tried to comfort him. I wasn’t surprised that Lily didn’t shed any tears- at least not any real ones. She was cold, never cared for grandpa, and only saw him as an obstacle to what she truly wanted – David.I couldn’t stop myself from crying again, th