He stayed.
Augustus continued.
“I am prepared to release the entire estate.”
Eliza's breathing changed.
“Prepared?”
“It is yours legally.”
“How generous.”
“I want no argument.”
“Then give it to me.”
Augustus looked at Grant.
“In exchange for annulment.”
Grant stood.
The chair scraped.
Eliza flinched.
Grant saw.
Stopped.
Again.
Damn it.
Augustus noticed too.
Something like satisfaction crossed his face.
Grant lowered his voice.
“You don't get to buy—”
Eliza turned.
“Grant.”
He stopped.
She looked at him.
Not frightened now.
Angry.
“At me?”
“Yes.”
The word surprised him.
Eliza stepped closer.
“Do not answer for me.”
Grant swallowed.
Augustus leaned back.
Grant ignored him.
“Eliza—”
“No.”
Her voice trembled.
“If you defend me by deciding for me, what exactly makes this different?”
That struck cleanly.
Grant looked at her.
She continued.
“My father told me what to eat.”
“What to wear.”
“Who to marry.”
“Where to sit.”
“If you love me, don't turn protection into another command.”
Grant felt shame move through him.
She was right.
Completely.
He nodded.
“I’m sorry.”
Augustus looked annoyed.
Perhaps he expected a larger fight.
Grant stepped away from the table.
Then looked directly at Eliza.
“What do you want?”
She stared.
He repeated:
“Not what he wants.”
“Not what I want.”
“What do you want?”
Eliza looked toward Augustus.
Her father waited.
Eight thousand dollars.
Security.
Freedom.
A fortune by her standards.
Money her mother intended for her.
All she had to do was leave Grant.
Her eyes moved toward the pantry.
Open.
Then the table.
Three chairs.
Samuel's cup beside hers.
Grant standing back despite every muscle in him clearly wanting to step forward.
Eliza looked at her father.
“I want my money.”
Augustus smiled.
Grant did not move.
Then she continued:
“And I want my husband.”
The smile vanished.
Augustus stared.
“You cannot have both.”
“Legally?”
He did not answer.
Eliza understood.
“Legally, I can.”
“You came here hoping I didn't know.”
“Eliza—”
“You withheld property that became mine two years ago.”
“I managed—”
“You stole control.”
Augustus stood.
“Enough.”
Eliza flinched.
Then something remarkable happened.
She did not shrink.
She stood straighter.
“No.”
Augustus stared.
Eliza continued.
“You do not get to say enough in my house.”
Grant felt almost dizzy with pride.
He said nothing.
Augustus looked around.