If you're loved by someone, you're never rejected, decide what to be and GO BE IT
-The Avett brothers
Recommend Reading Introduction to Unproven
DEFINITELY READ Prologue
Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three
Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six
Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen Chapter Seventeen Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen Chapter Twenty Chapter Twenty One
Chapter Twenty Two Chapter Twenty Three Chapter Twenty Four
Chapter Twenty Five Chapter Twenty Six Chapter Twenty Seven
Chapter Twenty Eight Chapter Twenty Nine Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty One Chapter Thirty Two Chapter Thirty Three
Chapter Thirty Four Chapter Thirty Five Chapter Thirty Six
Chapter Thirty Seven Chapter Thirty EightChapter Thirty Nine
Chapter Forty Chapter Forty One Chapter Forty Two
Chapter Forty Three Chapter Forty Four Chapter Forty Five
Chapter Forty Six Chapter Forty Seven Chapter Forty Eight
Chapter Forty Nine Chapter Fifty Chapter Fifty One
Chapter Fifty Two Chapter Fifty Three Chapter Fifty Four
Chapter Fifty Five Chapter Fifty Six Chapter Fifty Seven
Chapter Fifty Eight Chapter Fifty Nine Chapter Sixty
Chapter Sixty One Chapter Sixty Two Chapter Sixty Three
Chapter Sixty Four Chapter Sixty Five Chapter Sixty Six
Chapter Sixty Seven Chapter Sixty Eight Chapter Sixty Nine
Chapter Seventy Chapter Seventy Chapter Seventy Two
Chapter Seventy Three Chapter Seventy Four Chapter Seventy Five
Chapter Seventy SixChapter Seventy Seven Chapter Seventy Eight
Chapter Seventy Nine Chapter Eighty Chapter Eighty One
Chapter Eighty Two Chapter Eighty Three Chapter Eighty Four
Chapter Eighty Five Chapter Eighty Six Chapter Eighty Seven
Chapter Eighty Eight Chapter Eighty Nine Chapter Ninety
Chapter Ninety One Chapter Ninety Two Chapter Ninety Three
Chapter Ninety Four Chapter Ninety Five
Chapter Ninety Six Chapter Ninety Seven Chapter Ninety Eight
Chapter Ninety Nine Chapter One Hundred Chapter One Hundred and One
Chapter One Hundred and Two Chapter One Hundred and Three
Chapter One Hundred and Four
James sat back, putting his arms out to the side in a gesture of surrender. "Well then. I suppose we'll have to find a compromise. Because everything that I have done in my life will be meaningless if my only son and heir does not step into my shoes and take it forward."
Grayson frowned slightly, deciding to ask the question that had recently bothered him. "Why haven't you ever remarried? In fact, why not remarry now? You're still young, you could easily find a suitable wife, someone to make more heirs for you."
James smiled ruefully. "Very good questions. Astute. And the answer to the first is carelessness and an erring sense of invincibility. I allowed time to slip by. I thought if something were to happen to you before you were able to provide new heirs I would indeed be able to do just that. But I'm afraid I'm out of time."
Grayson's brows drew in.
James looked at him levelly. "It turns out there are a few things my vast fortune cannot buy. Perhaps in fifty years they will know how to do a brain transplant the same as they now do a heart or a kidney. But alas I was born too early for that. I have a tumor that is inoperable. By this time next year it is likely I will no longer be here."
Grayson stared at him, shocked speechless for a few moments before responding. "You're dying?" He asked incredulously.
James nodded, "I'm afraid so."
Grayson sat back against his chair, utterly floored. The great James Teller dying? Impossible. He could not wrap his mind around it. He felt a lump forming in his throat and swallowed with difficulty. He had a fleeting thought that this should be good news, considering he'd so recently wanted to do the job himself.
He stared at his father, searching for signs. He appeared so strong and vital...He'd just been bested by the man after nearly taking another guy out with his hands tied behind his back for Christ’s sake. He felt Ary's eyes on him and looked down at her. She was blinking back tears and that drove it home. His father was dying. And despite everything he suddenly realized he loved the man, even if the sentiment could not be returned.
He felt his own eyes begin to burn and suddenly he was struggling to breathe. Tears began to track down his face and he couldn't bring himself to look back up, had no idea what his dad would think of his grief.
Ary looked over at James. "He loves you," she said quietly. "Your son loves you."
He finally looked at his dad, but James was looking down at his hands.
"It's a foolish sentiment," his father responded.
"You may think so, but he doesn't," Ary countered.
James looked up and rested his eyes on her face. "Two days ago you nearly died, and you believe I'm responsible and here you sit, talking to me about love...What of hate, shouldn't that be what you feel for me?"
Ary studied him. "Perhaps. But I don't. Your actions don't have the power to dictate my emotions. I get to choose, and I choose to forgive you."
James breathed out a soft laugh. "I must say Miss Gilson, I believe I'm beginning to understand why Grayson is so taken with you. Truly remarkable."
"She is that," Grayson said, smiling down at her through his tears.
"Okay, well this has been rather informative all the way around, has it not?" James stated, his voice returned to its normal authoritative tone. "As for the compromise I mentioned. These are my terms. Grayson, you will attend Harvard as planned, and Aryanne will accompany you to Boston and take courses at the local college with a major in art history. As it appears she will be your companion...”
"My wife," Grayson corrected. "Not my mistress dad. I’m going to marry her."
James cleared his throat, "Mm. At any rate, a vast knowledge of art is an excellent conversational piece, one that will be of use at charity events and social galas..."
"And what if I say no?" Grayson interrupted, "What if I want to do something else with my life?"
James looked at him lingeringly. "If you truly do love me as she claims, then consider it my dying wish. That the sole purpose of my life be fulfilled by my son. What can I do? I won't be around long enough to force you."
Grayson regarded him in silence for a moment before smiling wryly. "The master of manipulation, even on his deathbed. Fine, but I have a condition of my own...
STAY TUNED FOR THE FINAL CHAPTER!
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