Reese paused, caught off guard that her grandfather knew about everything. But at this point, there was nothing left to hide-she just nodded.
"That''s why you ended the pregnancy, isn''t it? No woman could take being yed like that by her own husband."
With his suspicions confirmed, Mr. Ratcliff let out a long, weary sigh.
It was obvious to him; Sebastian didn''t want this divorce. He could''ve kept lying, could''ve even tried to threaten Reese to stay, but now, he didn''t have the heart to say another word.
"Well, since you already know, I won''t try to talk you out of it anymore." He
paused, turning his gaze to Reese. "But can I ask one thing? Don''t remarry until Sebastian does. Please?"
"I know it''s selfish. Robbie''s still so little. I don''t want him hurt or feeling left behind."
The request was a lot. But Reese had never wanted a divorce because she was in love with someone else. She just needed out-out of the Ratcliff family, out of Sebastian''s life.
All she wanted was freedom. To never be trapped again.
"I''m not thinking about getting married again right now," she said.
It wasn''t a yes, but it wasn''t a no. Reese didn''t want to tie herself down to a promise that might haunt herter if she did meet someone she loved.
Her grandfather understood. This was as much as she could give. He''d asked partly to keep her focused on Robbie, and partly so she wouldn''tpletely cut off the Ratcliffs-so she''d still have someone to rely on if she ever needed help. But the way she answered...
He realized all he could do now was make sure she was taken care of in his will. It was his way of making up for what she''d gone through.
He started to say something else, but suddenly Reese''s phone rang.
She nced at the screen. Her brow furrowed as she picked up. "n, what''s up?"
"Reese, you need to get to ckOak right now. de''s data just got leaked. It''s serious. The higher-ups are freaking out, and the feds are on their way."
Reese''s face changed in an instant. "Matthew and I areing back right now." She hung up and looked at her grandfather.
Mr. Ratcliff could see she was torn. He nodded. "Go on, work''s important. Be careful. You can alwayse see me when you have time."
"Take care of yourself," she said softly before turning and leaving the room.
Outside, Matthew was waiting. "Something happened at ckOak. We need to go, now."
Matthew hadn''t expected L to move so fast. "Alright."
He scooped Annie up in his arms and hurried with Reese to the elevator.
Sebastian watched the three of them rushing off, frowning. But with his grandfather still in the hospital room, he couldn''t just leave.
He walked back in and found Mr.
Ratcliff propped up against the
pillows eyes closedly p
exhausted Sebastian gently pulled
$110
the nket up over him.
"Grandpa, what did you and Reese talk about? Did she change her mind about the divorce?"
Mr. Ratcliff stared at him, eyesplicated.
It was clear. Sebastian had fallen for Reese, and he regretted everything he''d done before.
If Reese really left, Sebastian would be devastated. Maybe he''d even do desperate thing to get her back?
He didn''t want to see Sebastian in that kind of pain. He definitely didn''t want the
whole Ratcliff family thrown into chaos over this.
He decided, right then and there,
that when he wrote his will, he''d make Reese his god-granddaughter and give her a share of the
Sebastian and Reese would be like, siblings. Whatever feelings Sebastian had, there''d be no way to act on them, and there''d be no family drama.
As for now...
Mr. Ratcliff gave a small nod, his voice weak as he closed his eyes "We talked. Reese said she''d think about it. Give her some timedm tired now need to rest content.
Sebastian nodded, a faint, rare smile flickering in his eyes.
Jane, who''d followed Sebastian into the room, heard their conversation. Her face instantly turned dark.