Chapter 18

When I got back home, he was unexpectedly there. I knocked on his study door.
He opened it. "What's wrong?" He stood at the door, looking at me with confusion.
"Did you marry me because I resemble someone?" I gathered my courage and went straight to the point.
He paused for a second, looking puzzled. "What are you talking about? Sweetheart, wait for me in your room. I'll come find you."
He didn't want to say it. Was he feeling guilty? But that puzzle weighed heavily on my heart, and I didn't want to wait any longer.
"If you only see me as a tool to take care of the child, or as a substitute for someone else, then I'm sorry, I can't do it. Please find someone else." I was determined to get clear answers.
"Explain what? What substitute?" Suddenly, a mature voice of an elderly person came from behind him.
Then an elderly person with white hair and a cane walked out. I was startled.
Brian helplessly pressed his forehead with his hand and softly said, "My grandfather."
Grandfather? I was at a loss for words.
"Call him grandfather." He signaled to me with his eyes.
"Grandfather." I didn't dare to disobey.
"You got married and didn't say anything, even hiding it from your family, what are you planning to do?" Grandfather stared at Brian fiercely.
"Recently... been busy." Brian tried to brush it off.
"You hide your new marriage from me?!" Grandfather almost hit him with his cane, but restrained himself because I was present.
"Sorry, grandpa." Brian helped grandfather.
I stood still, afraid to move.
"What's your name?" Grandfather lowered his voice and smiled at me. This face change... wow.
"Vanessa," I whispered.
"Vanessa? You're my best friend's granddaughter? Stupid kid, didn't you say you don't like him?" Grandpa scolded Brian, then turned to me and said, "Tell grandpa, how did this stupid kid bully you?"
"Huh?" I looked at Brian, and he shrugged helplessly.
"Never mind him, don't be scared, grandpa will settle it for you."
"Don't ask her, let her be scared by you," Brian pulled grandpa into the study, "ask me instead."
After this, Grandpa was pulled into the study by him, and the door closed.
Just when I hesitated whether to leave or not, the door opened again.
"Go to the guest room and wait for me, give me ten minutes."
"Oh," I nodded.
"You brat, did you guys have a fight? Why did you let her sleep in the guest room?" Grandpa somehow heard it again.
I got scared and ran away.
Ten minutes later, he knocked on my door. He leaned his tall figure against the door frame, looked at me, and was both angry and amused, "Tell me, why were you saying you were a substitute?"
"Isn't it?" I quietly retorted, "Agreement marriage, we meet only once a month, have a few conversations?"
"When was the conversation not about you and another woman's child?"
"All I need to do is take care of your child while you're having fun with other women."
"Isn't that right?"
He was clearly stunned for a moment, and after a brief silence, he laughed, "If you want a real marriage, I can give it to you as well."
This time, I was speechless, my heartbeat skipped a beat, "You're thinking too much."
But then he said without changing his expression, "You requested to sleep in the guest room, and I've never locked the master bedroom door."
I was about to be furious. What does he mean?! Does he think I caused a scene because I wanted to sleep with him?
I wanted to argue, but couldn't find the words, so I was firmly caught in his grasp.
"I don't have feelings for anyone, never having had them in the past, and now..." He paused for a moment, his gaze falling on me. "Do I like you? For now, I can't give you an answer."
Doesn't he even blush when he lies?
"What about Daniel's mother, didn't you like her?" I asked him directly.
"Why are you so curious about her?" He countered.
"Of course, I care. She's my sister. You had a child with her, and you're marrying me. What am I to you?" I shouted, couldn't suppress my emotions.
He fell silent, looking quite upset, "Cecilia is your sister?"
"Yes."
He completely stopped talking, "This weekend I'll take you somewhere." With that said, he turned around and left.
No explanations were given.
He left, and my heart couldn't calm down for a long time. Lying in bed, I kept thinking that I should've replied to him earlier: "I don't want men who have been with others." Yes, that's right. Why didn't I think of it at that time? It made me even angrier.