He looked at me, his gaze softening. “I am truly sorry, Karylle. I know how much you wanted that child.”
“Thank you, Grandfather,” I said quietly, keeping my eyes on my plate. I pushed a pea around with my fork. I had barely eaten a bite.
Then, Arthur’s gaze snapped to Nathan, and the softness vanished. It was replaced by the cold fury of a titan.
“But what I cannot understand,” Arthur growled, “is how this happened. I was told you were at the company party. I was told there were drivers available. Why in God’s name was your secretary driving my granddaughter-in-law while intoxicated?”
Danica, sitting across from me, shrank into her chair. She was wearing a modest black dress, looking every bit the repentant sinner. She had been invited because she was "family," a decision that made my stomach churn.
“It was a mistake, sir,” Danica whispered, her voice trembling. “I… I thought I was fine to drive. I just wanted to help Karylle get home.”
“Help her?” Arthur slammed his hand on the table, making the silverware jump. “You put her in the hospital! You killed my heir! You call that help?”
“Grandpa, please,” Nathan interjected, leaning forward. His jaw was tight. “Calm down. It’s not doing anyone any good to point fingers. Danica feels terrible. She’s been beating herself up about it for days. It was an accident. The roads were slick.”
“The roads were fine!” Arthur barked. “The driver was the problem. Why didn’t you drive, Nathan? Or hire a car?”
“I had to stay back with the investors,” Nathan said smoothly. “You know how important the merger is. I couldn’t leave.”
“So you sent your pregnant wife home with a drunk girl?” Arthur shook his head in disgust.
“I told her I would drive,” I said.
The table went silent.
I didn’t look up. I kept staring at my plate. “I asked for the keys. I told them I was sober. But Danica insisted. She said no one drives her car but her.”
“Is that true?” Arthur demanded, glaring at Danica.
Danica’s face crumbled. “I… I don’t remember saying that. I was just… I was trying to be nice! I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!”
She burst into tears, burying her face in her hands. It was a masterful performance.
Nathan immediately reached over and squeezed her shoulder. “See? She’s a mess, Grandpa. Karylle, stop making it worse. She didn’t mean to.”