Chapter 26: The Ghost at the Garden Gate
Anna’s POV
I watched Marcus’s car disappear down the driveway, a curious warmth blooming in my chest. The truckload of supplies he’d delivered for my grandmother’s birthday was more than generous it was overwhelming. I stood there for a moment, letting the quiet hum of gratitude settle over me before turning back toward the house, questions swirling in my mind.
Inside, Grandmother was still smiling, her eyes gleaming with a light I hadn’t seen since before my father passed. The sight made my heart ache with bittersweet joy.
"Grandmother," I said, easing down beside her on the sofa, "all these gifts... are they really from William? Did he ask Marcus to deliver them?"
She patted my hand gently, her voice soft but certain. "Of course, they’re from William. He called me just this morning." Her expression grew thoughtful. "He said you’re recently divorced and that your grandmother’s birthday party must be nothing short of perfect. He doesn’t want anyone whispering behind your back or looking down on us."
A wave of emotion rushed through me. William had always been considerate, treating us like family when even my own relatives kept their distance. I leaned in and hugged my grandmother, breathing in the familiar scent of her lavender perfume.
"You don’t need to worry about me," I said with quiet confidence. "Everything’s under control. I’ve completely resolved the Phoenix Project issues Lucy’s been removed, and control is back with Shaw Corp. We even gained an extra two percent in profit."
I pulled back and met her eyes. "Like you always say, Grandmother, divorce isn’t the end of the world."
Her face lit up. "That’s wonderful! I knew my Annie would take care of things." She chuckled and gave my hand a squeeze. "Very well, we’ll stick to ten tables for the celebration. As for those fair-weather friends just waiting for us to stumble we won’t invite them."
"Exactly," I said, a smile tugging at my lips as the pressure in my chest eased.
The morning of the celebration, I was reviewing the final logistics when my mother’s voice pierced the calm.
"Annie! What are we going to do?" she cried, hurrying into the study with her heels clicking against the floor, her perfectly styled hair slightly askew. "The Turner and Hill families just confirmed they’re coming! And the Reeds and Walkers too. We haven’t socialized with them in years! That’s already several extra tables!"