Chapter 9 - THE FAMILY GRANT CHOSE
Grant and Tessa dated slowly.
No secret arrangement.
No employment power.
No live-in setup.
She had her own apartment.
Her own job in pediatric emergency care.
Her own schedule.
Noah remained central to both their lives, but never the reason they stayed together.
When Grant overstepped, Tessa told him.
When Tessa withdrew during conflict, Grant asked instead of chasing.
They both had patterns to unlearn.
Grant had spent his life believing money solved danger.
Tessa had spent hers believing needing help created debt.
They met in the middle.
Three years after their first date, Grant proposed.
At home.
No cameras.
No press.
No grand event.
Noah, now six, hid behind the curtains anyway.
Grant held out the ring.
Then said:
“If you say no, I will still respect every part of the life we already have.”
Tessa stared.
“That was rehearsed.”
“Yes.”
“By Celia?”
“Yes.”
She laughed.
Then:
“Yes.”
Noah exploded from behind the curtain.
“I KNEW IT!”
Tessa jumped.
Grant closed his eyes.
May you like
“Worst security system in America.”
---
