r

nock on the door interrupted my concentration. I didn't bother to lo

ways on time, and knew how to do her job without needing much direction. That was why

ern. "Your grandfather's medical check-up is scheduled for 2 p.m.

her. She was standing there, poised and patient, but I could see the flicker of hesitation

oid of emotion. "You don't need to

th people, with most personal interactions, was nothing personal. It was just how I operated. I didn't need a personal assist

didn't need anyone else getting in my

s quiet, efficient, and kept her

ust wanted to make sure it was on your radar. If y

could close the door, I spoke up ag

all my meetings after 4 p.m. I'll be at the hospi

ed composure not slipping onc

t her departure. The only thing that mattered was the wo

ow it. Augustus Callahan wasn't just my grandfather,he was the only person who had been there for me when everyone els

too long. As soon as Gina was gone, I

ng up with me. I wasn't in the mood for any more interruptions, but I had a commitment to keep. As I walked

omeone who had done this countless times. I stepped in without a word, the familiar scent of leather and clean upholste

rs, reports, and figures, wandered for a brief moment to my grandfather. He was stubborn as hell, but he was still family. And despite the leg

ding the weight of decades of family history. It wasn't just a house; it wa

he mansion's grandeur no longer impressed me. The shadows of the estate, of my family's past, di

ff inside preparing for another round of my grandfather's demands. The door opened before I co

ed with a slight bow. "Your g

making my way into the mansion. No words we

e a constant companion. My eyes immediately found my grandfather sitting in his usual armc

on is here," he said, h

from me?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. I knew exactly where this was going

ggerated sigh. "Oh, Ares, you know how it is. I'm just lonely in this big mansion. No one to talk to

ed into one of these rants, and I'd heard the same speech so many times i

ttled down. When are you going to find someone, Ares? A wife, maybe

ar act. He wiped at his eyes with exaggerated slowness, the tears hardly

nt of him. "You've been through this before. I don't have time for a family. You kno

company won't comfort you when you're old and alone, Ares. And

I had a carefully crafted wall up, and no matter how much he push

s in my pockets. "I'm not lonely, G

missing," he muttered, sinking deeper into his chair, his ear

ion, but to mask the irritation I f

t he liked the extra attention. She quickly came over, adjusting the collar of his coat as

ed, offering him a hand

g it with a small, reluctant smile. "Don't expect me to st

e settling over me like a blanket. It was moments like these when I could

tal wasn't long, but the silence in the car was always thick with unspoken words. Grandpa stared out the window, occasionally muttering about one