Chapter 98: She Answered You

Liam sat quietly for a moment, looking at the brace around his wrist. Clara had stopped beside the sofa when she heard Erto’s voice, and although she couldn’t hear the other end clearly, his expression told her enough. He had known Rudolf wanted Megan. Hearing that the man still referred to her as his future wife, even after Erto had intervened, made the earlier agreement sound like nothing more than a convenient break.

"Does Megan know he said that?"

"Not yet."

"Tell her. She should hear exactly what he said."

"I intended to."

"Good. And if we go there, you’re coming with us."

There was a brief silence before Erto answered.

"Yes."

Liam ended the call and immediately contacted Megan. He repeated the invitation without making it sound friendlier than it was, then told her about Rudolf’s last words. She remained silent long enough for him to hear someone talking in the corridor outside her room. When she finally spoke, her voice was steady.

"I want to see Granny."

"Then we’ll see her."

"And I want to tell him myself."

Liam looked up at Clara, who had already taken her phone out to check her schedule. He caught her eye and shook his head slightly. His wrist didn’t mean they all needed to abandon everything to follow him around. She frowned but waited until he finished speaking before sitting beside him.

"You’re going with a brace?"

"I’m going to talk."

"That was what you said about Lin."

Liam opened his mouth, then closed it again. She had a point, and arguing would only make her repeat exactly what had happened that morning. He gave her his good hand instead, letting her squeeze it while he worked out the arrangements with Megan and Erto.

’Fine. This time, someone else can do the fucking driving.’

By the time they reached the orphanage, Megan had stopped checking her phone. She sat beside Liam in the back seat, watching familiar buildings pass through the window, her fingers tightening around the strap of her bag whenever the car slowed. Erto had arranged the vehicle and was sitting in front. He hadn’t spent the journey promising that everything would be fine, which Liam appreciated. They were coming because his previous conversation with Rudolf hadn’t settled anything.

"Do you want us beside you when you talk to him?"

Megan turned from the window.

"Yes. But let me answer him."

"All right."

"And don’t offer him money."

Liam glanced at her.

"I wasn’t planning to."

"You have money. He knows that now. I don’t want him pretending this is something you can pay him for."

Her fingers had stopped moving against the strap. Liam nodded once, and she looked outside again as the car turned through the entrance. Several children were playing near the building, with a woman calling for them to move away from the drive. One of the younger girls recognized Megan before the car had fully stopped. She shouted her name, and Megan was already reaching for the door when Liam caught her bag before it slipped off her knees.

The next few minutes passed without Rudolf appearing. Two children reached Megan first, then another came running from the doorway. She crouched to speak to them, smiling as they talked over each other. Liam got out more slowly and stood beside the car, looking past them toward the entrance. An older woman was coming down the steps with one hand against the railing. Megan saw her, straightened immediately, and hurried over.

"Granny."

The woman barely had time to open her arms before Megan hugged her. Liam watched her press a hand against the back of Megan’s head, her mouth moving close to her ear. Whatever she said made Megan laugh and wipe her face at the same time. For a moment, the tension she had carried throughout the journey disappeared.

’That’s why she came.’

Granny noticed the others when Megan finally stepped back. She greeted Erto first, then looked at Liam as Megan introduced him. Her eyes moved briefly to his wrist, and he could almost see the question forming.

"An accident."

Megan turned her head toward him.

"A stupid one."

"Apparently, that’s an important distinction."

Granny smiled, but it faded when she looked toward the open doorway behind them. Rudolf had appeared there, watching the reunion with one hand resting against the doorframe. He waited until Megan noticed him before coming down the steps.

"There you are. I was beginning to think college had made you forget us."

"No. I’ve been busy."

"So I’ve seen."

His gaze moved to Liam, pausing on the brace before travelling upward to his face. Liam was used to people looking up at him, but Rudolf took his time doing it, as though deciding whether his height was meant to impress him. Erto stepped forward before the silence became awkward.

"Rudolf."

"Mr. Silverschild. You could have called when you were close."

"We agreed on the time."

"Yes. Of course."

Rudolf smiled again and invited them inside. Megan kept hold of Granny’s hand as they entered, slowing whenever the older woman needed to. Liam followed beside Erto. He could already hear Rudolf speaking to one of the staff members ahead, asking for drinks and mentioning that Megan had finally come home.

They were shown into an office off the main corridor. Rudolf went behind the desk, leaving the chairs in front for everyone else. Megan waited until Granny sat down before taking the seat beside her. Liam remained standing for a moment, then pulled another chair away from the wall. He placed it beside Megan instead of directly in front of Rudolf.

"You’ve been taking good care of her, I hear."

Rudolf directed the remark at Liam.

"She’s sitting right here."

"I can see that."

"Then ask her."

The smile remained on Rudolf’s face, although he stopped leaning back in his chair. Megan put her bag on her lap and spoke before he could answer.

"Why did you tell Mr. Silverschild I’m your future wife?"

Granny’s hand tightened around hers. Rudolf looked toward Erto, who offered him nothing.

"Is that really how you want to begin this visit?"

"Yes."

"You’ve only just arrived."

"And I asked you a question."

Liam stayed quiet. It took more effort than he expected, especially when Rudolf glanced at him again as though Megan’s words had come from somewhere else. There was no uncertainty in what she had asked. The man simply didn’t seem interested in answering her while she had people sitting beside her.

"We’ve discussed your future before."

"You’ve talked about it. I never agreed."

"You were younger."

"I’m answering you now."

Rudolf’s fingers stopped against the edge of the desk. Outside, someone hurried past the office, and a child called for Megan before being shushed. The ordinary noise made the silence inside feel worse. Granny looked down at their joined hands, while Megan kept her eyes on Rudolf.

"I’m not marrying you."

"You don’t need to make a scene."

"I’m sitting in a chair."

Liam lowered his gaze briefly.

’Good girl.’

Rudolf pushed his chair back and stood. He came around the desk, but Erto moved before he reached Megan, rising with an ease that made the motion seem almost casual. Rudolf stopped beside the corner instead. His eyes flicked toward Liam, and something in his expression changed. The irritation disappeared beneath a sudden stiffness. He swallowed, looked away, then reached for the glass of water that had been placed on the desk.

Liam watched him take a drink.

He knew that reaction.

"Sit down," Erto said.

"I’m perfectly comfortable."

"Then stay there."

Megan waited until Rudolf lowered the glass.

"I came to see Granny. I didn’t come to discuss whether you’ll let me finish college or who I’m supposed to marry afterward."

"No one has stopped you attending college."

"Then stop treating it like time you’re giving me."

For the first time, Granny looked directly at Rudolf. Her expression wasn’t shocked. That bothered Liam more than it would have if she had seemed surprised. She had understood enough to be afraid before any of them entered the room.

Rudolf set the glass down carefully.

"You have no idea how much it costs to keep this place running."

Megan’s shoulders stiffened.

Erto spoke before she could answer.

"We can discuss the accounts separately."

"This is a private matter."

"You brought up the cost of the orphanage."

"I’m reminding her that people have supported her."

"And she has answered your proposal."

The word made Rudolf’s mouth tighten. A proposal could be refused. Whatever arrangement existed in his head apparently couldn’t.

Liam leaned forward, resting his good forearm against his thigh.

"She answered you."

"I heard her."

"Then there shouldn’t be any confusion when you talk about her again."

Rudolf looked at him, but the glance lasted less than a second. He returned behind the desk and sat down. Megan released a slow breath beside Liam. Her hand was trembling now, although her voice hadn’t.

Granny rubbed her thumb over Megan’s knuckles.

"Come upstairs. I kept something for you."

Rudolf immediately looked up.

"We haven’t finished."

"I have," Megan said.

She stood and helped Granny out of her chair. Liam collected her bag and followed them to the door, leaving Erto seated in front of the desk. Before stepping into the corridor, he looked back. The older man gave him a small nod.

There would be another conversation.

Megan didn’t need to sit through it.

Granny’s room was small, with a narrow bed, a wooden cupboard, and several photographs tucked into the edge of a mirror. Megan went straight to one of the pictures and laughed softly. It showed her standing among a group of children, her hair tied back badly and one shoe apparently missing. Granny opened the cupboard while explaining who had taken it, and for a few minutes Liam stayed near the door, letting them talk.

The thing she had kept was a cloth bag containing photographs, a folded scarf, and a few small belongings Megan had left behind. Megan sat on the bed to look through them. Granny watched her with a smile until Liam noticed a second bag under the chair, partly packed with clothes.

"Were you going somewhere?"

Granny followed his gaze.

"I thought I might visit."

Megan looked up immediately.

"Visit me?"

"If it wouldn’t be inconvenient."

"Granny, why didn’t you tell me?"

The woman smoothed the edge of the scarf instead of answering. Megan put the photographs aside and crouched in front of her. This time she didn’t ask about Rudolf or wait for an explanation.

"Do you want to come with us today?"

Granny glanced toward the door.

Liam stepped aside so she could see the empty corridor.

"I can ask Erto to change the arrangements. That part’s easy."

"And the children?"

Megan took her hand again.

"You’re allowed to visit me."

It took several more minutes, but Granny eventually nodded. Megan helped her finish packing while Liam went downstairs to find Erto. He met him outside the office and explained the change quietly. Erto asked only whether Granny had chosen it herself. When Liam said yes, he took out his phone.

Rudolf appeared while the driver was putting the bags in the car.

"How long is this visit?"

Megan was helping Granny into the back seat. She finished settling her before turning around.

"We’ll decide."

"There are responsibilities here."

"Then arrange them with the staff."

Rudolf stared at her. Megan held his gaze for a moment, then got into the car beside Granny. Liam closed the door and turned to find Rudolf watching him again.

"You think taking her away settles this?"

"No."

Liam glanced toward the car, where Megan was adjusting the seat belt so it wouldn’t press against Granny’s shoulder.

"But she wanted to leave."

He got in before Rudolf could answer. Erto joined them a moment later, and the car pulled away with the man still standing beside the entrance. Megan watched until the building disappeared, then leaned back. Granny had already started asking about her classes. She answered, her voice growing easier with every question.

Liam’s phone vibrated against his leg.

Erto had sent him a message from the front seat.

He asked how much you would pay.

Liam read it twice. Then he looked up at the mirror and met Erto’s eyes.

A second message arrived.

I told him to put any financial claim in writing.

Liam locked the screen and slipped the phone away. Beside him, Megan was showing Granny a photograph from the café performance, smiling as she explained which song they had played first.

He let her finish.

For once, Rudolf could wait.