Page 52 of Billionaire Retreat

“What?”

“You took her to the ice cream shop at the beach? The one we used to go to with Dad every weekend? You took her there to do your dirty work?”

“I did what I had to do.” Mrs. Wallace was stoic, her expression gave away nothing of what she was feeling.

“I know the beach and ice cream shop you’re talking about. Our dad used to take us there every weekend, I thought it would be nice to take my niece and my friend... the woman you saw me hugging. I’ll never forget that day, because my niece met her father that day. It was a special day for her so I wanted it to take place somewhere that had been special to me... special to all of us.”

Griffin’s mom’s lips grew so tight they were barely perceptible. She sat down on the couch and pleaded with Griffin yet again. “I just did what I thought was best.”

“I know and that’s why it’s so sad. You thought keeping me away from someone I cared about was good for me. Think about that, Mom.”

She shook her head. “Nora had already caused enough pain with her bad decision-making. I just didn’t want to go down that road again.”

“Yes, because keeping up appearances is so much more important than your kids’ happiness.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “That’s not true and you know it. Your happiness, Jackson’s, even Nora’s means more to me than my own.”

“Oh stop, you’re no saint, Mom.”

“Neither is she!” she yelled, pointing at me. “You think she’s the only man you’re seeing?”

I furrowed my brows. “What the hell are you talking about? More lies?” I looked at Griffin who placed his hands on his hips and looked down at the floor shaking his head as if he couldn’t believe the words coming out of her mouth.

“Mom, you’re off your rocker.”

She became livid and leaped up from her chair. “I saw her a few days ago cuddled up with some guy at the gym! Ask her if you don’t believe me.” She turned to me and said, “And don’t you try to deny it.”

“There’s nothing to deny,” I said with a carefree shrug, “You did see me with a guy... my cousin Kenny. He’s an instructor there.”

“A likely story—”

“Not another word. You’ve said enough,” Griffin interrupted in a cold voice. She finally had his undivided attention.

She swallowed thickly. “You’re going to take her word over mine.”

He said softly, “Mom... I haven’t been able to take you at your word since Dad died.”

She pulled her face back as if he had just slapped her. “Ok, I see. I’ll just leave now.” She stood up slowly and walked to the door as if she wanted him to stop her, as if she was giving him the chance to tell her not to go. She was sorely mistaken.

“Ok, well, call me when your world falls apart. Because with her, that’s the only future you have. A future that’s worth nothing.”

With that parting shot, she got into the elevator and was gone.

“Is she gone?” Jackson said, sticking his head out.

Griffin closed the door silently, not answering.

Jackson happily sat down on the couch and said, “Hey, I don’t blame you. If she offered me $250,000 I would have taken it.”

I flinched. “I didn’t want to take it, I tried to give it back to her—”

“Jackson,” Griffin interrupted. “Go home. I need to talk to Nina alone.”

I swallowed hard. I should have known I wasn’t getting off that easily.

“Oh,” he said, sounding disappointed, “I guess I should head home then.”

“Yeah, you should,” Griffin said softly. I could hear the anger bubbling under the surface and apparently so could Jackson.