Adele was out doing the groceries when I got an unexpected phone call.

It was my grandfather.

I stared at the caller ID in disbelief. We hadn’t had the best of conversations earlier in the year. But there it was, his number. In black and white.

“Hello?” I finally answered. I didn’t want to talk to him again.

“Braden.” My grandfather was a bull of a man. For as long as I could remember, he was well-built and sturdy. He had fought in at least three wars, coming out of each one of them with battle scars fit for fireside stories. He was a living legend in our town, owning a chain of successful avocado farms, capitalizing on the hipster craze sweeping through this part of the country. Before that, he had a leather factory, supplying most of Hollywood with the raw material it needed for costumes, props, and luxury items. He was a man of riches, fame, and unmatched stubbornness. The richest damn man this side of the Rockies.

The two of us had never quite gotten along. Once I had the courage to stand up for myself, we were like two rams butting horns, locked in a death match. Maybe that’s why I severed all ties with him long, long ago.

“Yes?” I responded, my voice colder than I intended it to be. I didn’t hate the guy. After all, he had spared me the life of an orphan. But at the same time, I couldn’t stand him, especially after all the phone calls and the posturing. He knew I needed the money. And with Adele in the picture, I really did.

“I need to talk to you. Do you think you could drop by the estate? It’s urgent.” His voice was feeble and scratchy as if he were fighting off a bad cold.

“Is everything alright?” I asked, concerned.

“I just need you to come. Please.”

I frowned. I could tell by his tone and by his use of the word ‘please’ that something was wrong. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

* * *

Two hours minutes later, I found myself in front of the large iron gates that guarded his driveway. Up ahead, his mansion-like home loomed on the top of a hill, like some kind of a beacon of prosperity.

I ground my teeth, knowing I could have easily inherited his entire estate if I had simply fathered him his precious little heir. That’s why I married Chelsea in the first place. I didn’t even love her. I was just trying to accomplish what my grandfather had always asked of me. It never worked. It was like a curse. No matter what I did, I could never get a girl pregnant. Karma maybe?

The gates eventually opened. I slowly crept up the driveway, parking in front of the three-door garage. I lingered inside the car, a bit apprehensive about facing the old man after so long.

I took a deep breath, steadied my nerves, fixed my collar, and stepped out.

Before I could reach the front porch, the door was already open. Henry, the butler, stood there with his usual ramrod straight posture and bleak expression. “Mr. Ennis.” He nodded in my direction. “Right this way.”

I followed him to the stairs, climbing the winding steps all the way to the top floor. There, the floorboards creaked underfoot like ominous moans warning me to turn back. I didn’t heed their warnings.

We arrived at my grandfather’s bedroom. It was the biggest room in the entire estate. His bed dominated the space, covered in rich golden fabrics and matching tapestry. When I was younger, I imagined it was a bed fit for a king. Little did I know that the king was a tyrant.

“Braden… is that you?” A subtle whisper floated through the air.

It took me a moment to realize that it came from the bed. Stepping forward, I noticed my grandfather suffocated under a mountain of blankets. Only his head was visible.

I nearly gasped at the sight of him. His eyes were sunken. His skin was pale, tinged with a sickly yellow hue, and pulled too tight over his cheekbones. His lips were a thin, pink line that disappeared into a frown.

“You’re a sight for sore eyes,” I whispered.

He managed a chuckle, but it was devoid of life. “I bet I am. You must be glad to get rid of your old man.”

Despite our differences, I approached his bed, taking his bony hand in mine. “Of course not.” I wanted to say more, but the words refused to emerge from my lips. Seeing such a strong man reduced to this state was hard to accept. He didn’t even look like the same person. “What’s wrong…?” I asked, my voice cracking mid-question, betraying me. This was my one chance at appearing stronger than him, but his state made me feel vulnerable.

“I’m sick. They say I don’t have much time left. The doctor has tried everything—”

“Why aren’t you in a hospital, then?” I blurted out, interrupting him.

He shook his head. “I refuse to go to that blasted place. If I am to die, I will do so in the comfort of my own home. Now, I didn’t invite you here to talk about death, but about life.”

My heart tightened. I knew what was coming. He would once again badger me about an heir. “Grandfather—”

He silenced me with a look. Despite his sickness, his bright blue eyes were just as fierce as ever. “You will listen to me and you will not interrupt.” He tried to sit up but struggled.

Awkwardly, I placed a hand on his back, supporting him as he settled himself into a more comfortable position. He glanced at the glass of water on the nightstand which I handed to him, waiting for him to start his speech.

“I’d like to see you with the family money. If you do not inherit it, I will be forced to give it to Jamie and Jessica.” The old man shook his head. “And I rather not do that. I want our name to live on.” He caught my eye. “Which means you need to have an heir.”

Reality started to set in. I had been playing with the idea of getting Adele pregnant, but I wasn’t putting any pressure on it. I figured that if it happens, then great—I get a wonderful family and all the wealth I might ever need to look after them. And if it didn’t, well, then it wasn’t meant to be. I’d still have time to figure something out. But now, with my grandfather dying, time was quickly ticking away. Adele would be my last chance at an inheritance. But did I really want to get her involved in all this?

“If I father an heir… do I get the full inheritance?” I asked, treading very carefully into dangerous territory.

“You get two million at the birth of the child, to ensure that its needs are met. If paternity is established, then you will get the estate upon the time of my death,” he answered. “But you already knew that. You’re stalling.”

Beads of sweat started to form on my forehead. He had always been able to see right through me. I looked away, trying to parse through my thoughts.

On one hand, I didn’t know whether I wanted to involve Adele in my family drama. She would probably take things the wrong way, thinking I only wanted a child just so I could get the inheritance. Of course, money was a huge factor. With it, the child would be provided for. Adele would be provided for. But deep down, it was much more than that. I wanted to give Adele what she wanted: a child. It was a biological urge. Something that I never expected to experience.

“I’ll think about it,” I said, straightening myself out and letting go of my grandfather’s hand.

“Don’t take too long,” he said, easing back into the pillows.

I knew he was right. Death was coming for him.

* * *

When I arrived at home, Adele was already back. I found her in the kitchen, unpacking the groceries. I greeted her with a kiss before I started to help her. “How was the supermarket?” I asked, trying to engage in some small talk if only to take my mind away from my grandfather and his stipulation. I would have to tell her, but I needed to find the right time.

“Oh, it was fine. I bought some cookies that were on sale. I thought we could enjoy them on the porch later. What do you say?”

“Mmm. Sounds perfect.”

“Also, I was thinking. We should probably put up some new fences around the property so the horses can have their freedom. It must suck being cooped up in the stables all day. We might want to get some professional sheers for the sheep as well. I don’t know how you manage with the set you have now. It must take you forever.”

I allowed her to drone on with her ideas, knowing very well that I couldn’t afford such improvements. But if I managed to father an heir that would be a different story.

“Braden?” She grabbed my hand.

I jumped, startled.

“You okay?”

“Yeah. I was just zoning out.”

“Something on your mind?” she asked, tilting her head.

“No, it’s fine.” I was going to leave it at that, but it didn’t sound at all convincing. “I was just imagining what it would be like to strip you naked, pull you into my lap, and have my way with you on the rocking chair outside.”

She smirked. “Maybe we’ll find out very soon.” Her giggle filled me with a sense of warmth.

In that moment, I couldn’t stop myself from folding her into my arms and pulling her into a tight embrace. Her smell wrapped around me, turning my mind to mush. Just then, I was struck by how much I truly cared for this woman. The feeling was overwhelming, one I had never experienced before. It was richer, and deeper than what I had felt during high school. This was a more mature feeling. One that excited me to the depths of my soul.

For a split second, I considered telling her everything. My feelings. The plan. But I just couldn’t face the consequences.

“Actually, how about we just lay in the hammock together?”

“I’d like that.”

We headed toward the twin oak trees. I had put up a hammock about a week ago, and it had quickly become our new favorite spot. I took her into my arms, using my foot to rock us back and forth. As I held her, all I could think about was how good it would be to have this woman in my life—forever.