I can’t stop crying.
I’ve been crying for hours.
My son has a daughter.
I have a granddaughter.
And I’ve missed three years of her life.
I think about Lily.
I think about the way I treated her.
The way I looked down on her.
The way I did nothing when she left.
I was so afraid.
Afraid of Ronald.
Afraid of losing my comfortable life.
Afraid of doing the wrong thing.
I did nothing, and that was the wrong thing.
I go to Ronald’s study.
He’s sitting at his desk, reading reports.
He doesn’t look up.
“I need to talk to you.”
“Not now.”
“Now.” My voice is hard. Visit g.com for the full chapter.
“This is important.”
He looks up, surprised.
I never speak to him like this.
I never stand up for myself.
“What is it?”
“I have a granddaughter.
Alexander has a daughter.
And I’m going to meet her.”
Ronald’s face goes pale.
“What?”
“Lily Anderson.
The girl Alexander was with three years ago.
She had a baby.
A little girl.
She’s three years old.”
Ronald stands up.
“This is…
this is a liability.
We can’t have this getting out.”
“A liability?” I repeat.
She’s our granddaughter.
And you’re calling her a liability?”
“Sarah, think about the family.
Think about the company.
We can’t have…”
“I don’t care about the company.” I’m shaking.
“I don’t care about any of it.
I care about my son.
I care about my granddaughter.
And I’m going to meet her.
Whether you like it or not.”
I turn and walk out.
My heart is pounding.
I’ve never defied him before.
I’ve never stood up for myself.
But I’m done being afraid.
I’m done being silent.
I’m going to be the grandmother Sophie deserves.
Ronald calls after me.
“Sarah!
Sarah, come back!” But I don’t turn around.