tricks of time ― grayson hawthorne [the inheritance games]

036. A DEADLY ANSWER

Celeste tried to steal Grayson away— but he didn't even budge. He couldn't take his eyes off me, and for the first time, I loved it.

"Hey, Gray, can you tell the family that dinner is ready?"

He gives me a curt nod, and heads off. I can hear his voice echoing down the corridors of the house. A maid— Annalise, helps me set the table. I mutter her a thank you.

It's not long before the whole family is gathered 'round the whole table, and I momentarily freeze, seeing all their faces together. When I see Mallory— my Mother's face, I stagger back. Grayson's chest is rock hard behind mine, and he latches onto me.

She sees me, and her watery, yet piercing blue eyes meet mine. For the first time in what feels like years, I hear her speak. "Are you alright?" She asks me. "Are you feeling unwell?"

I almost flinch at the sound of her voice. "Yeah, I'm— I'm fine."

I feel my mind spinning and my vision blurring, so I quickly take a seat next to Grayson to steady myself. My eyes are secretly on Mallory's figure, watching her every move. As I serve myself food, I realize how the mood of the room seems light. People are smiling, and people are laughing. Celeste is the only one sulking and side-eyeing me, but I couldn't care less.

I force some pieces of lettuce and strands of pasta into my mouth. Then, I force myself to swallow it. The lump in my throat makes me feel like it's closing up, and my heart feels like it's beating so fast that it could stop working at any point.

I don't feel any better after eating even a fraction of what I normally eat. Instead, I feel like throwing everything up.

"Is everything alright, Leah?" Alisa asks me. Her tone seems sincere, and so does her face. "You look like you're going to be sick."

I turn to look at her, putting my fork down. For a few seconds, my gaze lingers on hers, unsure of what to say. Grayson nudges me gently in the ribs, and I realize he's sending me a message: This is your chance.

"No," I say, in as confident a tone that I can muster. "The minute I've gotten here, to this place, nothing has been alright." I stare at Celeste, and she simply rolls her eyes. It throws me off, just for a moment, and I stutter. "Y-You want to know why? Here's why." I proceed to pull the yellowed sheet, folded neatly, out of my pocket. I don't think twice before handing it right to her.

When she opens it up, she furrows her brows. "I-I don't understand, Leah. Why...Why are you showing me a birth certificate?"

"Just read it," Grayson cuts, exasperated.

She gives him a look, but she obeys. I watch as her eyes string their way across the paper, and I watch as her eyes freeze at the very spot mine did. I watch as her lips part. She doesn't make an effort to close them, either.

She looks up at me, holding the paper so tight I see her knuckles turning white. "You...I don't believe this. No. This—" She turns to Jameson. "This is some type of sick prank, right? This isn't real. No." She's looking up at me, eyes pleading with mine. I watch her expression turn limp, when she realizes that I'm not lying.

"What the hell is it?" Celeste asks. "It's a birth certificate. Stop being dramatic, guys. In the meantime, I think we should talk about my new modeling gig! I just received the call yes-"

Nash turns to Celeste. Nonchalantly, he says, "Celeste, darlin', shut your mouth." Then he smiles almost calmly, and takes a sip from Leslie's wine glass. She doesn't seem to notice, though. Like everyone else, her eyes are fixated on Alisa.

"For the love of God," Lottie Laughlin— my Grandmother, says. "What is it? Don't keep all this suspense, please."

Alisa turns to Ms. Laughlin. Then, she turns to me. When I give her a subtle nod, she turns back to Mallory. "She— Leah..." She clears her throat. "Mallory, Leah is your daughter."