Grayson Pierce and Eloise Caldwell novel Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Grayson: [Eloise, please do me this favor.]

Eloise wrestled with her conscience for several minutes before finally replying: [Alright. I’ll be there shortly.]

She requested some personal time from Beckett and drove to Oniginia Hospital.

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As soon as she stepped out of her car, she found Grayson waiting for her near the entrance. She paused, surprised.

“I thought you might have trouble finding the room,” Grayson explained.

“Thank you,” Eloise murmured.

He led her to the private suite. Pushing the door open, Eloise pasted on a warm, concerned smile. “How are you feeling, Mrs. Pierce?”

The moment Hannah saw her, her face crinkled into a delighted smile that reached her eyes. “My pretty girl.”

Eloise felt a flush of embarrassment at the endearment. “Mrs. Pierce, my name is Eloise Caldwell.”

Hannah couldn’t stop smiling. “Yes, I know that. You’re my future granddaughter-in-law.”

Eloise was speechless. She shot a helpless glance at Grayson, who stood nearby, pinching the bridge of his nose in exasperation.

Her cheeks burning, Eloise tried to explain.””Mrs. Pierce, there’s been a misunderstanding. Mr. Pierce and I aren’t in that kind of relationship.”

Hannah simply grabbed her hand, holding on with surprising strength.

“I don’t care about misunderstandings,” she declared stubbornly. In my eyes, you’re my future granddaughter-in-law. I liked you the moment I saw you. And now you’ve saved my life. That’s destiny.”

She beamed at Eloise, who tried gently to pull her hand back, but Hannah’s grip was firm. Eloise looked to Grayson again, silently pleading for help.

Grayson gave a slight, helpless shrug. If he’d had any way to manage Hannah, he wouldn’t have called Eloise in the first place.

For the next half hour, Hannah chatted animatedly, asking Eloise questions. “Where are you from, dear? Are your parents here in the city? What kind of work do you do?”

Eloise’s smile tightened slightly. “I grew up in Ucrevine, Mrs. Pierce,” she said, neatly sidestepping the other, more complicated questions about her family.

They hadn’t always lived in Ucrevine; they had moved there. Where they were from originally was a topic Lorelei refused to discuss, and Eloise had learned long ago not to ask.

Hannah, sharp despite her age, sensed the evasion and didn’t press further, patting Eloise’s hand kindly instead.

After about thirty minutes, Eloise glanced at her watch. “Mrs. Pierce, I really should be going. You need to rest and eat well to get your strength back

Hannah’s face lit up. “You’ll come see me again, won’t you?”

“Of course, Eloise promised with a genuine smile.

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Chapter 29

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Grayson walked Eloise out of the room and into the hallway. He fell into step beside her as if to escort her all the way down.

Eloise didn’t object. She had something she needed to say. “Mr. Pierce,” she began, her voice low, “your grandmother has the wrong idea. You really need to clear things up with her.”

Grayson glanced at her profile. “It’s no use. I’ve tried explaining. She doesn’t listen.”

Eloise bit her lip, unsure what else to do. “Well, it’s not my doing. I haven’t said anything to give her that impression.”

She was anxious he might think she was encouraging the misconception in an attempt to cling to him.

The elevator arrived. They rode down in silence with other passengers. On the ground floor, they walked out to the parking lot where Eloise’s car was.

“My grandmother is set in her ways,” Grayson said as they stopped by Eloise’s driver’s side door. “Once she gets an idea in her head, it’s nearly impossible to change it. Don’t let it bother you.”

He met her gaze. “And I don’t blame you for any of it.”

“That’s a relief,” Eloise said, opening her car door. “Goodbye, Mr. Pierce.”

“Eloise,” he suddenly called out to stop her.

Her hand stilled on the door handle. She turned to look at him.

Grayson’s eyes were intense that seemed to pull her in. Her heart began to beat a frantic rhythm against her ribs.

He took a few steps forward, closing the distance until only a sliver of space remained between them. “Eloise…” His voice was low, softer than she’d heard it in years.

For a fleeting second, it felt like she was transported back five years, to a time when he would call her name with just that kind of tender warmth. But the illusion shattered almost instantly.

Eloise told herself, “That chapter is closed. Grayson isn’t the same man. He’s the heir to the Pierce Group. Whatever small affection he might have felt for me back then had likely faded to nothing over five long years.

That kiss? Just a moment of physical impulse for a man, directed at a convenient woman. In his eyes, I’m still the materialistic girl who left him.

Eloise broke eye contact, quickly sliding into the driver’s seat and starting the car.

As she pulled away, she caught a glimpse of Grayson in her rearview mirror, standing motionless, watching her car until it disappeared from view.

A

A confusing whirl of emotions made her grip the steering wheel ighter, and she forced her eyes back to the road.

*****

A few days later, Juliette returned from her travels, laden with logal treats and souvenirs for Eloise and Noah.

To celebrate Juliette’s return, Eloise prepared a beef stew at home. The weather was turning cooler, making it the perfect comfort meal.

Noah pushed his plate away. “I’m full, Mommy.”

Eloise handed him a napkin. “Alright, sweetie. Go play if you’re done.”

“Okay.” Noah wiped his mouth, tossed the napkin, and headed to his room to work on a complex Lego set. It was a gift from Grayson that he adored.

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Chapter 29

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Across the table, Eloise noticed Juliette’s glowing complexion, a marked improvement from before her trip. “Looks like the vacation did you a world of good, Juliette.”

Juliette covered her mouth with a hand, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. “It certainly did. I spent a night with a very charming younger man.”

Eloise nearly choked on her drink.

Juliette laughed and popped a piece of beef into Eloise’s open mouth. “What’s so shocking? You’re the one who told me to go find something exciting.”

Chewing slowly, Eloise swallowed. She had said that, but she hadn’t meant for Juliette to jump into bed with someone quite so literally, or so quickly.

Juliette’s expression was one of pure, uncomplicated pleasure. “With a young guy like that, a fling is all it needs to be. I’m not looking for anything long-term.”

In truth, the man was only a year younger, but his stamina had been impressive.

She did enjoy their night together. She almost couldn’t get out of bed the next day. The memory brought a secretive smile to her lips.

After a moment of consideration, Eloise nodded. “As long as you’re happy.”

She thought that Juliette’s last relationship had been so draining. There was nothing wrong with living a little more freely now, prioritizing her own happiness.

Eloise then asked, “Job hunting next?”

Juliette nodded, her expression turning more practical. “Starting tomorrow.”

Eloise briefly thought of suggesting Juliette try Hayes Group but knew there were no open secretarial positions at the moment. Still, with Juliette’s skills, she wouldn’t be jobless for long.

Juliette studied Eloise’s face. “So what’s the latest with you and Grayson?”

Eloise blinked, caught off guard. “There’s no ‘latest.’ We broke up years ago. What could possibly be going on?”

Juliette then asked, “Has he said anything? Made any moves?”

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