He turned.
“You are still married.”
Delaney’s mouth curved slightly.
Grant stared at Seraphina for a long moment, then walked toward her.
He lowered his voice.
“Do not embarrass me tonight.”
“By reminding you I exist?”
“You don’t understand the pressure I’m under.”
“I understand more than you think.”
Grant glanced toward his mother.
Then he gave a short, humorless laugh.
“Before you met me, you lived in a rented apartment.”
Seraphina’s expression changed.
Grant did not notice.
“You drove a ten-year-old car.
You bought clothes from ordinary department stores.
I brought you into this family.
I gave you this house.
I gave you everything you have.”
The kitchen became silent.
Seraphina slowly removed one wet dishwashing glove.
“You believe you gave me all of this?”
“I know I did.”
There it was.
Seven years compressed into four words.
I know I did.
Not love.
Not partnership.
