*He’s got no heart at all!* Whitney seethed internally.
“Grandma, I’m here to see you,” Whitney called out, her voice filled with warmth as she entered the nursing home.
Patricia’s face lit up at the sight of her favorite granddaughter. “Whit, my dear! I’m so glad you’ve come to visit.”
Patricia scrutinized Whitney, her brow furrowing with concern. “You look a bit thinner. Promise me you won’t go on any more diets. If you keep this up, you’ll lose your charm.”
Whitney smiled, a genuine warmth spreading through her. “I promise, Grandma. I’ll do whatever you say.”
Patricia gazed at her, feeling a swell of emotion as Whitney hugged her tightly. “Come on, sweetie, it’s only been a few days. Are you working too hard? Is someone bothering you at work?”
Whitney shook her head, her heart softening. She had only ever allowed herself to be vulnerable with the one person who truly loved her.
“No, Grandma. I just missed you, that’s all,” Whitney cooed, her voice tender.
“I missed you too, sweetheart. How are things with your dad and the others? Tina hasn’t been causing trouble again, has she?” Patricia inquired, genuine concern in her eyes.
Patricia had never been fond of Laura, and she had only moved to the nursing home because she could no longer tolerate Laura’s antics. She often joked that it was all due to her ungrateful son.
“Her?” Whitney scoffed, rolling her eyes. “She’s not clever enough to create any real drama.”
“Grandma…” Whitney hesitated, her words catching in her throat. “I came today because I need your advice on something.”
Noticing the seriousness etched on Whitney’s face, Patricia’s expression shifted to one of concern. “What’s going on, sweetheart? You look like something’s really troubling you.”
“Grandma, I broke up with Carter,” Whitney confessed, her voice barely above a whisper.
Patricia was taken aback. She had always known that Whitney and Carter’s families had a long-standing connection, and she had been hopeful for their future together. But she also understood the complexities of love.
Patricia and Tara Harris had been lifelong friends, and in their youth, they had even arranged an engagement between their children. However, with Patricia only having a son and Tara’s daughter marrying young, the engagement had been passed down to this generation.
Before passing away, Tara had made James promise that their grandson could only marry someone from the Moore family.
James had been devoted to his wife, treating her last wish as sacred, ensuring it was honored. Even as the Moore family faced hardships, James never considered selecting another family for his grandson’s bride.
Patricia was genuinely surprised by Whitney’s admission. “Did Carter upset you?” she asked, concern etching her features. She knew just how deeply Whitney cared for him.
In truth, Patricia had reservations about their compatibility. Whitney seemed too infatuated, and Patricia wished for her granddaughter to find someone who would love her in return, rather than someone she had to constantly chase after.
Only those who had experienced marriage could truly grasp the significance of mutual love.
“I’m over him, Grandma. I don’t want to marry anyone right now. Can you promise me this one thing?” Whitney implored, her eyes pleading.
Patricia fell silent, lost in thought, before finally releasing a long sigh. “Fine. You deserve so much better than what you’ve been given.”
Whitney buried her face in Patricia’s arms, her voice muffled. “Grandma, you’re the best. I love you more than anyone.”
Just then, a knock echoed through the room.
“Ma’am, there’s a visitor for you. He says he’s from the Harris family,” a voice called from outside.
Whitney assumed it was Carter, and her expression soured instantly. “Tell him to leave.”
Moments later, a tall figure stepped into the room. “Whitney, you won’t even see me now?”
Whitney had never anticipated encountering Klein at the nursing home, a place that felt so far removed from the life she had built outside its walls.
Today, Klein had opted for a more casual appearance, leaving behind his usual crisp suit and tie. Instead, he wore a dark gray coat that draped effortlessly over a light gray shirt, its collar open just enough to reveal the angular lines of his collarbones. The way his shirt hung suggested a hint of rebellion, and the faint outline of his abs peeked through, giving him an undeniable bad boy charm that was hard to ignore.
“Uncle Klein?” Whitney exclaimed, her voice a mix of surprise and delight, unable to mask her astonishment at this unexpected reunion.
Klein approached her with a calm confidence, his steps deliberate and assured. “Mrs. Moore, I returned to the country a few days ago and thought it would be nice to pay you a visit,” he said, his tone warm yet professional.
Klein was, after all, Tara’s youngest son, born during a time when she was already navigating the complexities of middle age. The toll of having a child later in life had taken a heavy toll on her health, leading to her untimely passing. Tara had been in her forties when she left this world, far too soon for those who loved her.
Whitney couldn’t help but remember how, when Klein was just a baby, Patricia had cradled him in her arms, her heart swelling with affection.
Patricia’s face lit up with recognition. “Oh, it’s Klein! My goodness, look at how much you’ve grown! If Tara were here, she would be absolutely overjoyed,” she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with nostalgia.
Klein offered a small, genuine smile. “Yeah, my mom always spoke highly of you. I’m here to check on you for her,” he replied, his voice carrying a hint of affection.
As Patricia observed Klein, she felt a swell of approval. The longer she looked at him, the more pleased she became. If only her own son possessed even a fraction of Klein’s charm and capabilities, perhaps he wouldn’t be in the mess he currently found himself in.
“Whit, are you still upset about the car situation from last time?” Klein inquired, his brow slightly furrowed.
Whitney felt her cheeks flush a deep crimson. “Uncle Klein, you’ve got it all wrong. It’s not that I didn’t want to see you,” she stammered, the words tumbling out in a rush. She had simply assumed the visitor was Carter.
Patricia, sensing Whitney’s discomfort, quickly interjected, “Oh, she wouldn’t have the nerve to be upset. She thought it was Carter at the door and didn’t expect it to be you, Klein.”
Klein’s smile deepened, a subtle glimmer of understanding passing between them. “I see,” he said, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Their conversation flowed easily for a while, but soon, Patricia began to feel the weight of fatigue settling in. She gently squeezed Whitney’s hand, encouraging her to leave with Klein.
Whitney hesitated, her heart tugging at her. “Grandma, I’ll come back to see you in a couple of days,” she promised, her voice laced with affection.
“Sweetheart, you don’t need to visit so often. I know you care about me. Just make sure you take care of yourself,” Patricia replied, her tone soothing.
As Whitney escorted Klein to the door, she concocted a hasty excuse about needing to find the director, hoping to slip away before her emotions got the best of her.
Klein lowered his gaze, a faint smile playing on his lips as he thought, ‘She slipped away so quickly.’
Meanwhile, Whitney updated her grandma’s primary contact information to her own number, ensuring she would be reachable.
Upon reaching the parking lot, she was startled to find Klein, who should have departed by now, casually leaning against her car, his demeanor relaxed.
Whitney’s heart raced, a mix of confusion and intrigue washing over her. “Uncle Klein, you’re still here?” she asked, her voice tinged with surprise.
“My car broke down. Whit, would you mind giving me a lift?” Klein requested, his tone casual yet sincere.
Whitney cast a glance at his luxurious Maybach, suppressing an eye roll and an internal complaint. ‘Seriously? Even a high-end car like that can break down so easily?’ she mused silently, but instead, she simply smiled. “Where to? I’ll drop you off.”
Just as she settled into the driver’s seat, her phone buzzed insistently. It was Zoe from Starwave Entertainment. Whitney hesitated, then replied, “Right now? I’m not sure I can make it. If it’s urgent, I can have my colleague handle it for me. Would that work?”
The contract with Starwave had been signed by the entire PrimeBridge Law Firm team, not solely Whitney. Even if she requested Frank to step in, it wouldn’t raise any eyebrows.
Zoe’s voice came through, slightly hesitant. “Ms. Moore, could you possibly come yourself?”
“But I really can’t get away today,” Whitney insisted, feeling the pressure of the impending deadline. Just ten days remained before the contract expired, and she was determined to maintain a safe distance, as long as it didn’t jeopardize Starwave’s interests.
“Alright then, just let Mr. Reese take care of it,” Zoe replied, her tone resigned.
After hanging up, Whitney quickly dialed Frank to explain the situation. It was only then she realized Klein was still in her car, patiently waiting.
“Where are you headed, Uncle Klein?” Whitney inquired, her curiosity piqued.
Klein provided her with an address, and after a moment of silence, he asked, “Whit, did you and Carter have a fight?”
Whitney shrugged, her voice flat and devoid of enthusiasm. “Yeah, something like that.”
Klein, being a Harris, made her cautious about venting her frustrations regarding Carter in his presence.
“Something like that?” Klein echoed, skepticism evident in his tone. He maintained a neutral expression, studying her closely, but Whitney gave nothing away.
Not wanting to dwell on the topic, she changed the subject. “Uncle Klein, how long do you plan to stick around this time?”
“Guess I’m not leaving,” Klein replied, a hint of mischief dancing in his eyes.
Whitney blinked in astonishment. “Not leaving?”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.