chapter 31

There was no mistaking what those were with the bank logo so visible in one of them. My jaw nearly dropped.

"Did you write her a check?" I asked in surprise.

He raised his glass and drank calmly. "It was supposed to be for her sister's tuition."

"Jadeis a part of this family, Grandfather, and you will afford her some respect," I snapped, my fingers tightening on Jade's hand.

"Are you playing house now? Surely you know what a terrible idea that is, trying to make her fit where she does not belong!"

In all my life, I had never raised my voice to my grandfather, but I found myself very tempted to do so now. He was impossible, and I couldn't let him treat Jade this way.

"Does my son not belong here too? Because you can't tell me he does, then in the next breath, claim that the woman who raised him does not!"

"The woman you impregnated," he said as a point of correction.

"This has to stop, Grandfather." I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"It's alright, Michael," Jade said as she placed