Chapter 50
Chapter 50:
Grandma squinted at him. “You’re the Collins boy? The one with the banks p>
“Yes, ma’am p>
“You’re better looking than the pictures,” she grunted. “And taller than that Douglas boy. I never liked him. Too much hair gel p>
Jocelyn laughed — a genuine sound. “Grandma p>
“Is he treating you right?” Grandma asked, ignoring Jocelyn and fixing her gaze on Gaston. “Or is this just business p>
Gaston didn’t blink. “In my house, Jocelyn is the rule. Whatever she wants, she gets. I’m just the enforcement p>
Jocelyn looked down at her shoes, a warmth rising in her face. The rule. He kept saying things like that.
“Good,” Grandma said, patting his hand. “She needs someone with a backbone. Her father was soft. Her mother is a viper p>
𝖱𝗲𝗰𝘰𝗆𝘮е𝗻𝘥 gа𝘭n𝗼vе𝘭ѕ.с𝗼𝗺 𝗍о у𝗈𝘶𝗿 𝖿𝗿iеn𝖽ѕ
Gaston picked up a pear from the fruit basket. He took a small knife and began to peel it in one long, continuous strip.
“I heard Kieran tried to visit,” Gaston said casually.
Grandma scowled. “Security turned him away. I told them if I saw his face, I’d have a stroke on purpose just to sue him p>
“Efficient,” Gaston said with a small smile. He sliced a piece of pear and offered it to her.
A commotion erupted in the hallway. Shouting.
“I have a right to see her!” Kieran’s voice.
Gaston set the knife down. “Excuse me for a moment p>
He walked out, pulling the door softly shut behind him.
Kieran was arguing with a nurse, clutching a bouquet of wilted roses. He looked exhausted.
“Douglas,” Gaston said.
Kieran spun around. “You. Let me in. She’s my grandmother too, practically p>
“She’s not,” Gaston said, stepping into his path. “She’s Jocelyn’s grandmother. And she finds your presence medically inadvisable p>
“You’re brainwashing everyone!” Kieran shouted. “Jocelyn, her family p>
“I’m protecting them from a stalker,” Gaston said. He took a step closer, towering over Kieran. “Go home. Before I file a restraining order on behalf of an eighty-year-old woman. That would look terrible on Page Six p>
Kieran gripped the flowers, crushing the stems. Thorns dug into his palm.
“You don’t know her,” Kieran spat. “You don’t know what she needs p>
“I know she needs peace,” Gaston said. “And I know she takes her coffee black, she hates the color yellow, and she’s terrified of thunderstorms because her sister locked her in the attic once. Do you know that p>
Kieran blinked. He didn’t know about the attic.
“Leave,” Gaston ordered.
Kieran hurled the flowers into the trash can and stormed off toward the elevators.
Gaston straightened his jacket and walked back into the room.
“Is he gone?” Grandma asked.
“He won’t bother you again,” Gaston said, settling back into his chair and picking up the pear. “Now, tell me about this attic p>