I was halfway through my second cup of coffee when my phone rang.
I didn't need to look at the screen to know who it was. No one in this family called this early unless something was wrong or about to be.
I answered anyway.
"Yes, Grandpa."
"Come to the house," he said. No greeting, as usual. "Today."
I sat back in my chair, already tired. "Is this about the news this morning ?"
Silence on the line for a second. Then, "You're needed here. Don't be late."
The call ended.
I stared at my phone for a long moment before dropping it onto the table. My stomach felt hollow, like it always did after conversations with him. Short. Final and unavoidable.
Lucas was in the kitchen, leaning against the counter, arms crossed, watching me like he already knew.
"He called," he said.
I nodded. "I'm supposed to go over."
His jaw tightened. "I'll come with you."
"You can't," I said quietly.
He scoffed. "Watch me."
I turned to face him fully. "You know how he is. This isn't a discussion. He's already decided whatever this is."
Lucas dragged a hand down his face, pacing once across the kitchen. "Elaine, you don't have to do this. Whatever he's planning with Zane…"
"I know."
"We can figure something out," he said, voice low, urgent. "I'll talk to him. I'll talk to lawyers. I'll sell whatever I need to sell."
I shook my head. "You know that won't work."
"That doesn't mean you just lay down and let him….."
"Lucas," I cut in. "Stop."
He froze.
I softened my voice. "I'm not agreeing to anything yet. I'm just going to hear him out."
He looked at me like he didn't believe a word I was saying. Maybe he didn't. Maybe he knew better.
"I don't trust him," he said finally.
"I don't either."
"And I definitely don't trust that fucker Zane."
At the sound of his name, something sharp flickered across Lucas's face. Anger, yes, but underneath it… something older. Something unresolved.
"This is his doing," Lucas muttered. "He's trying to get back at me."
"For what?" I asked.
He stopped pacing.
His shoulders went rigid. "It doesn't matter."
That answer told me everything and nothing at the same time.
"I'll be fine," I said, even though I wasn't sure I believed it. "I can handle a conversation."
Lucas looked at me like he wanted to argue, then like he wanted to say more. In the end, he just nodded once.
"Call me when you get there," he said. " when you leave and how it goes."
"I will."
I grabbed my coat and keys and headed for the door.
"Elaine," he called after me.
I turned.
"If he pushes this marriage thing," Lucas said carefully, "don't say yes on the spot."
I met his eyes. "I won't."
That was the best promise I could give.
And somehow, we both knew it will not be enough.