Chapter 107
“Not this again,” Paisley muttered, rubbing her temples. “We’re not kids anymore, Dominick. Why are you so hung up on love?”
“So you don’t love him?” Dominick pressed, his voice low.
Paisley ignored him, her gaze fixed on Paul, silently praying for him to wake. Dominick wouldn’t be deterred. He planted himself in front of her, blocking her view. “Paisley, I know you never remarried. You raised Grayson alone.”
“What’s your point?” A headache throbbed behind her eyes.
Dominick’s eyes, intense and sincere, held a desperate plea. “I’ll treat Rena like my own daughter. Just marry me again. Let’s pretend the past was a bad dream.”
Paisley laughed, incredulous. “Why on earth would I do that?”
“We’re both single. We have Grayson. Isn’t it obvious?” Dominick’s tone was infuriatingly casual.
“Obvious?” Paisley met his gaze, her voice sharp. “What kind of marriage are we talking about? The kind where you only love me when your schedule allows? The kind where you drop everything for Marissa? Or the kind where your family still rejects me after four years? Tell me, Dominick, what’s in it for me? A husband too busy to care, a woman standing between us, and a son who doesn’t even want me as his mom?”
Dominick’s frown deepened with each word. “Listen, what’s going on with Marissa—”
“Save it,” Paisley cut him off. “I don’t care about you and Marissa. That’s your problem. I’m here for Paul. Nothing to do with you, Grayson, or the Vanderbilts.”
“Paisley, just—” Dominick started, but Paul’s coughing interrupted them.
“Grandpa!” Dominick rushed to his bedside, relief flooding his face as Paul opened his eyes. “Dom,” Paul rasped, his gaze sweeping the room until it found Paisley. A weak smile touched his lips. “Paisley… come here.”
Paisley’s heart ached. She approached, a lump forming in her throat. “Mr. Paul Vanderbilt, I’m glad you’re awake.”
Disappointment flickered across Paul’s face. “Thank you for saving me. I heard everything. I know it was you.”
“My duty,” Paisley replied, checking his vitals. Only when she confirmed his stability did the tension leave her. Turning to Dominick, she said briskly, “Mr. Vanderbilt is awake. Charles and Jonathan will handle his care. My work here is done.” She grabbed her bag. “Mr. Paul Vanderbilt, focus on getting better. Goodbye.”
“Paisley, wait!” Dominick hurried after her.
From his bed, Paul sighed. He’d been awake, pretending to sleep, hoping Dominick would somehow reconcile with Paisley. But Dominick’s cluelessness only escalated the situation. Paul’s “awakening” was a desperate attempt to give them both a chance to cool down.
Paisley shrugged off Dominick’s hand in the hallway. “I’m done listening. I was stupid before, buying into the whole love thing. I’m over it. From now on, it’s just me.”
Seeing her about to leave, Dominick blurted, “What about Grayson? You only care about your daughter now? He’s your child too!”
Paisley’s voice was calm. “No, he’s your child. I’m his biological mother. I’ll pay child support, whatever the law requires.”
“Paisley, are you really holding something against Grayson that he said when he was three?” Dominick pleaded.
Paisley smiled coldly. “Kids don’t know better, but adults should. Too bad none of you got that.”
As she turned, she saw Grayson and Marissa at the hallway entrance. Marissa carried takeout containers, the same logo as the ones by Paul’s bed.
So Marissa brought breakfast, Paisley thought.
Marissa smiled sweetly. “Good morning, Ms. Sutton. I brought Dom breakfast. Join us?”
“No,” Paisley said, striding away.
Marissa, oblivious, hugged Grayson. “He missed his dad and grandpa. He’s always been such a mama’s boy.”
Paisley scoffed, ignoring her.
“Paisley!” “Mommy!”
Two voices called simultaneously. Dominick’s. Grayson’s.
Paisley faltered. Dominick looked at Grayson. After four years, his son had called her “Mom” again.
Marissa’s eyes widened in panic. “Grayson, I’m right here…”
Grayson pulled away, tears streaming down his face. He ran towards Paisley, stopping just short. “Mom,” his voice cracked. “Are you really going to leave me?”