Chapter 2 - The Announcement
Three months after the divorce became official, Vivian invited Evelyn to lunch.
Grant’s mother had never accepted her. Vivian believed the Ashford name deserved someone more glamorous than a former public-school art teacher.
Evelyn attended only because Vivian claimed the meeting concerned Lily.
Instead, she found Grant and Celeste waiting inside the private dining room.
Celeste wore a cream dress and rested both hands over her stomach.
Grant smiled proudly.
“We wanted you to hear it directly from us.”
Evelyn looked at Celeste’s flat stomach.
“Hear what?”
Celeste exchanged a delighted glance with Vivian.
“I’m pregnant.”
The room seemed to narrow.
Grant leaned back in his chair.
“It’s a boy.”
“You already know?”
“We had early genetic testing.”
Vivian lifted her glass.
“An Ashford heir.”
Evelyn looked at Grant. Something in his expression disturbed her. It was not simply happiness. It was triumph, as though the unborn child had proved he had made the correct decision by leaving.
“What does this have to do with Lily?” Evelyn asked.
Grant folded his hands.
“My mother thinks we should reconsider the structure of the family trust.”
Evelyn understood immediately.
The Ashford family trust had been created by Grant’s grandfather. According to its terms, Lily was entitled to a substantial portion at twenty-five. Grant wanted to reduce that share so his unborn son could become the primary heir.
“She is your daughter,” Evelyn said.
“No one is taking everything from her.”
“You’re taking most of it.”
Celeste spoke gently, pretending kindness.
“A son will carry the family name.”
Evelyn turned toward her.
“My daughter carries her father’s blood. That should be enough.”
Vivian’s lips tightened.
“This family has traditions.”
Evelyn stood.
“Then change them.”
Grant followed her into the hallway.
“Don’t make this difficult.”
“You left your infant daughter, replaced us, and now you’re asking me to help you erase her future.”
“I’m trying to be practical.”
Evelyn faced him.
“Something about this isn’t practical.”
Grant frowned.
“What does that mean?”
“I don’t know yet.”
She walked away before he could answer.
May you like
But that night, she remembered something Grant had said shortly before Lily’s birth.
Something about a private medical appointment he never wanted to discuss.
