Summer’s POV
The tension at the dinner table was suffocating. Each clink of silverware against fine china echoed uncomfortably in the silence that had fallen after Grandpa George shut down my mother’s inappropriate wedding comments. I kept my eyes fixed on my plate, pushing around food I had no appetite for.
Mother hadn’t spoken since being reprimanded, but her eyes burned into me from across the table. The pristine Taylor family image she so desperately wanted to project was crumbling because of me, and she was seething.
When the dessert plates were finally cleared away, Grandpa George pushed back from the table with a soft sigh.
“Mr. Sullivan,” he said, his weathered face creasing into a genuine smile, “would you care to join me for a game of chess? I find it aids digestion far better than awkward family conversation.”
Sean’s eyes lit up. “I’d be delighted, Mr. Taylor.”
“Summer, Grandpa added, turning to me, “you’ll join us too, won’t you?”
I nodded gratefully, eager for any excuse to escape the dining room. Of course, Grandpa.”
Grandpa’s room was my favorite place in the Taylor mansion–a sanctuary of leather–bound books, the scent of pipe tobacco, and treasured memories. The elaborate chess set was already set up by the fireplace, and Parker had left a silver tea service nearby.
“Allow me,” I said, moving to prepare the tea while Grandpa and Sean settled at the chess table.
To my surprise—and clearly to Grandpa’s as well–the game progressed rapidly in Sean’s favor. Within thirty minutes, Grandpa was
staring at the board in open amazement.
“Checkmate,” Sean said softly, his finger resting lightly on his queen.
Grandpa leaned back, shaking his head with a rueful smile. “It seems this old man can still be caught off guard. Your skill is remarkable, Mr. Sullivan.”
Sean shrugged modestly. “It’s nothing special, really. Brandon’s the one who trained me. He has no patience for mediocre
opponents.”
I laughed unexpectedly. “Sean, I don’t think you realize–my grandfather is a chess enthusiast. If Brandon and he haven’t already played, I’d be shocked.” I turned to Grandpa with a teasing smile. “It seems you’ve finally met your match, haven’t you?
Grandpa accepted the cup of tea I offered him. “Not bad at all,” he approved, both of the tea and, I suspected, of Sean’s abilities.
“Excuse me for a moment,” I said. “I need to use the restroom. I’ll be right back.”
The upstairs hallway was dimly lit As I passed my father’s study, I noticed light spilling from beneath the door. A sharp edge to my mother’s voice made me pause.
“I can’t believe that ungrateful little brat!” My mother’s voice, no longer coated in social nicety, was cold with fury. “After everything we’ve done for her, she’s clearly trying to use Michael Sullivan to break free from this family!”
“Elizabeth, keep your voice down,” my father warned, his tone hushed but insistent.
“I should never have introduced him to her!” Mother continued. “Victoria could have made so much more of that connection.”
1/2
Chapter 298
“Elizabeth! My father’s voice Sharpened.
‘Don’t Elizabeth me, Richard! You know I’m right. That worthless has been nothing but trouble since the day we brought her home. God, I regret ever agreeing to take her in!”
My heart stopped. Take her in? A strange buzzing filled my ears as Iressed closer to the door.
“Lower your voice,” my father hissed. “And we’ve discussed this–we are never to speak of that again.”
“It’s just so infuriating!” my mother continued, though slightly quieter now. “We only adopted her for Thompson’s inheritance, and what has she given us in return? Nothing but headaches! She’s not even our real daughter–why should I pretend to care about her the way I do Victoria?”
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