Shame coursed through my body. I’d tried so hard to keep it from her. To protect her, and this had happened. I felt the phone slip from between my fingers but I ignored it as I pressed my hands to my face.
I couldn’t face her after this. She’d know that I was lying to her through my teeth. That every word out of my mouth was a falsehood. The Grandma who’d raised me didn’t condone that type of behavior. But after everything had happened with the will, I hadn’t been able to stop myself. I’d done exactly what she hadn’t wanted me to do.
It was why she hadn’t wanted me spending any time with my uncle Adrian. She’d told me that he was a compulsive liar and that she didn’t want me picking up any of his traits.
A sob wracked my chest, and I buried them against my palms, but they were so loud, I knew Krusk was probably hearing them. Fumbling, I hung up the call, even as I could hear him calling my name on the other end.
CHAPTER 49
Krusk
Listening to my mate sob on the other end of the phone was the most heartbreaking thing that I’d ever heard. And I could tell that she was fighting the tears. Fighting to keep herself together.
But she didn’t need to be together. I’d always be there to put her pieces back in place.
“We’re going home first,” I told Savla, and my brother just nodded, signaling for a U-turn.
“Is she upset?” he asked, glancing at me.
I nodded, squeezing my eyes shut. “I wanted to handle it and then bring the solution to her. So she wouldn’t have to worry about it.”
Savla hummed, increasing his speed. “I know you think that might be best, but that isn’t always the best solution. She’s been handling everything by herself so far. I figure she’d at least want to have some say in it. Especially since it’s about her family.” Hisshrug belied the fact that he’d just blurted so many words in one go.
I narrowed my eyes at him for a long moment before sighing, scrubbing my palm over my face. “Yeah, you’re right.”
“I am?” he asked, glancing from me to the road.
“Shut up, you know you usually are,” I groaned, and ignored his little knowing smile as he continued to drive. “Drive faster, will you?”
He nodded, skidding around a corner, his eyes shining with glee. I’d never fully understand my brother. It was as if he didn’t want to enjoy anything, including life, but then there were moments where the child in him shone bright.
He braked abruptly in front of the building and I slapped him on his shoulder, exiting the car at a run, racing up the stairs instead of taking the elevator. It would take too long and I needed to get to hernow.
I slammed the door open and a startled Emma looked up at me from where she was sitting on our sofa. Because it was ours. I was going to find a way to get her to stay with me. This would be our mating home. She belonged here with me.
I moved forward, kneeling in front of her, cupping her wet cheeks. “I’m sorry, Zemar. So sorry.”
She sniffled, shaking her head. “It’s not your fault. I just...” she gasped, hiccupping. “I can’t believe Grandma’s known this entire time. She... I didn’t want her to find out.” She reached out to me, wrapping her arms around my shoulders, sliding from the sofa and pressing herself against me for comfort.
I wrapped my arms around her, squeezing her close, being careful with my tiny mate. “I have you, Zemar,” I murmured against her hair.
“I’m so embarrassed,” she whispered, her shoulders shaking with sobs.
“You never have to be,” I told her. “Grandma knew this entire time, but she doesn’t blame you at all. In fact, she loves you so much. Appreciates you so much. And she wanted me to find your uncle and fix it.”
Her sobbing slowed and she rubbed her face against my throat, hot and sticky from crying. “I can’t believe she’s known this entire time.”
I kissed her hair, running my palm down the length. “I’m sorry you had to find out this way, Zemar.”
“I’m scared to talk to her,” she whispered. “Why didn’t she say anything?”
“She was looking into it. She didn’t want to confront you about it until she had all the facts. That’s where I came in. She thought that if I could get everything figured out, we’d be able to get your house back.” I explained, praying that she’d understand.
“Do you really think the will’s fake?” she asked, pulling away to look at me with wide, innocent eyes.
The fact that her uncle had decided to take advantage of her sweetness and kindness told me exactly what kind of male he was.
“We confirmed it,” I told her, trying to soften the blow. “We went to the court to make sure. It’s definitely a forgery. He hasn’t even been able to get the court to grant the probate because of the signatures.”
