7
I went back to the Sinclair mansion.
I went to the back garden to see
Grandmother Sinclair.
She was sitting in her wheelchair in the sun,
wearing a hat.
When she saw me, she smiled.
“Willow?”
I smiled back.
“Yes, Grandma, I’m here.”
Grandmother Sinclair had been devastated by
୮
She often mistook me for Willow.
I chatted with her for a while.
She got tired. I called the maid to take her
back inside.
She grabbed my hand.
“Penelope, why haven’t you and Cooper had
any children yet?”
She was lucid. She had recognized me.
She smiled kindly. “Your grandfather and I
want great–grandchildren.”
I was stunned.
<
Before I could say anything, Cooper’s voice
came from behind me.
“Grandma, I’ll go back tonight and make a
great–grandchild for you and Penelope.”
He put his arm around my shoulder.
I stiffened.
When had he come back?
Grandmother Sinclair smiled.
“You kid. Don’t scare Penelope.”
“What’s so scary about it? I’m going to carry
on the Sinclair bloodline. Aren’t you happy?”
<
on the Sinclair bloodline. Aren’t you happy?”
Cooper smiled.
Grandmother Sinclair laughed and took our
hands.
“You two like each other.”
She paused.
“You’re just stubborn.”
Cooper and I froze.
We looked at each other and quickly looked
away.
His ears were red.
Г
Grandmother Sinclair shook her head and
asked the maid to take her away.
We were alone in the garden.
The wind blew through the apricot leaves.
I could feel his eyes on me.
His hand was still on my shoulder, his fingers
brushing my skin.
I got up to leave.
He tightened his grip. “You’ve lost so much
weight.”
I pulled away. “It’s cold. I’m not eating as
much.”
Cooper raised an eyebrow. “You’re not an
actress like Janie. You don’t need to watch
your weight.”
“Who are you trying to impress?”
I pursed my lips. “Are you bored?”
He stared at me.
Finally, he smirked. “I guess I am.”
I looked up at him, surprised. He was smiling
a lot today.
He chuckled.
He grabbed my arm and dragged me out of
the mansion. He shoved me into the car and
buckled my seat belt.
<
Before I could catch my breath, the car sped
off.
