Chapter 27 – The Old Man’s Wish
The moment I stepped out of Faye’s office, my phone rang.
It was Grandfather
“Come home,” he said without a greeting. “Now”
Something in his voice made me pouse. I didn’t argue. I turned around and headed straight to the Blackwell estate.
He was in his usual armchair when I walked in, wrapped in a blanket, staring at the fireplace
“You called?” I asked, standing in front of him.
He looked up at me, eyes tired.B
“The doctor says my condition is getting worse,” he said. “I don’t have much time left.“!!
I raised an eyebrow. “You’ve said that before. Five times, actually.”
“This time it’s real,” he replied.
“You sure?” I asked, folding my arms, “Because you’re usually very dramatic.”
He frowned
“I’m serious, Hunter This… this might be it for me.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“I have a few months left to live in this world, Hunter, and my dying wish would be for you to get married to Faye before I die,” he answered X
I narrowed my eyes at him, “What is this, Grandpa? When you got sick you said you needed me to find a wife. Now I’m engaged and you’re dying and you’d like me to get married soon?”
He nodded, “Yes. It’s not a bad wish, son, I only want to see my great–grandchildren before I die.“!
I wasn’t buying it. So I took out my phone and dialed our family doctor.
Twenty minutes later, the doctor arrived.
“Tell him,” Grandfather said, pointing at me. “Tell him I’m dying.”
The doctor looked nervous. His eyes flicked to Grandfather, then back to me.!!
“Uh it’s it’s true, Mr. Blackwell ”
I narrowed my eyes.”
“That bad, huh?”
“Yes. Very serious,” the doctor mumbled.
I leaned back and smirked.
“You two are temble actors”
“What?” Grandfather snapped.
I stood up. “You’re faking it again, aren’t you?“8
“Don’t be ridiculous!” he barked.
“I saw you give the doctor the look. You nodded at him before he spoke.”
The doctor looked away.
“Get out,” I told him.
“But Mr. Blackwell-”
“Now.”
He quickly grabbed his bag and walked out, nearly tripping over the rug.”
Grandfather groaned and rubbed his forehead. “That man can’t act to save his life.“)
“I noticed,” I said, sitting back down. “So what’s this about?”
He leaned forward, his voice lowering.!!
“Even if I’m not dying tomorrow. I could be, soon. And before I go, I want to see you married. To Faye.”
I raised an eyebrow. “That’s your dying wish?”
“Yes I
“Twe had a long day,” I sighed. “Don’t play with me right now.“”
“Im not playing” he said Taye is smart Beautiful. Strong. And successful. A woman like that won’t stay available for long
I clenched my jaw “She’s not getting married to anyone but me.“2
Grandfather smiled “Then what’s stopping you from rushing the wedding?
“It’s not the right time“!
“It never is,” he said softly “When I met your grandmother, I didn’t wait I didn’t think twice. I just knew And I marned her “That was then” I said quietly. “Things are different now”
“It’s not the right time.”
“It never is,” he said softly. “When I met your grandmother, I didn’t wait. I didn’t think twice. I just knew. And I mamed her.”
“That was then,” I said quietly. Things are different now.”
He shook his head, “Love hasn’t changed. People have. Everyone’s so scared now. Scared of commitment. Scared of truth. But not me. want to see you happy. With her. Before I go.”
I stared at him, his wrinkled hands gripping the blanket
“I’ll marry her,” I said at last. “Soon.“”
“Good.
I stood up and buttoned my jacket. “I’ll come visit tomorrow. Try not to fake–die in the next 24 hours.“)
He laughed as I walked out.”
Back at the office, Marcus was waiting at my desk, holding a folder.
“You’re back” he said. “Just in time.”
“What’s that?”
“Something interesting,” he said with a grin. “We ran a background check on Lily.”
I raised an eyebrow and took the file.
As I flipped it open, my eyes scanned the information quickly.
Then I paused.
A slow smile crept across my face.
“Now this.” I muttered, “is useful.”2
Marcus nodded. “We thought you’d say that.
“Does Faye know?”
“No. We figured you’d want to be the one to tell her.”
I closed the file and tucked it under my arm.
Tm heading home”
“Should I alert security?
“No.” I said. “This is personal
Marcus nodded once, and I left the building