The Billionaire’s Hidden Heiress
Chapter 141

Grayson POV

"Scandal of the year. Charlotte Deluca, the wealthy heiress and socialite of the Deluca family has been arrested for attempted murder, embezzlement of company funds, and a slew of other charges today. See the exclusive footage we have as she is confronted by none other than her so-called dead husband, who rose from the grave to put an end to her horrible deeds once and for all."

I turned off the television and turned to Flair who still looked stunned by the events of the wake. She was curled up on the sofa, with her legs tucked underneath behind her.

"I still can't believe it," she said, looking at me "What's going to happen now?"

I exhaled and joined her. "The media have gone crazy, like I thought they might" I allowed "so I'm avoiding work for the next few days while the vultures attempt to get their interviews. I have no doubt that Knox sent the feed of the showdown to the media" I scowled even though I wasn't angry about it "and I think we should just lie low for a little while. As it is Charlotte's already managed to retain a lawyer who's trying to get her off on an insanity plea."

Flair stared at me. "But she's not insane is she?" she said at last, her voice tentative and uncertain "I mean, her actions were carefully thought out and meticulous at times. Like sending the flowers with the poison" She sounded slightly indignant and her voice was full of rage.

I knew she was thinking about Sam and how he had died. None of us thought that Charlotte should get an easy sentence for what she had done. But Charlotte had a good lawyer, although not as good as I was. There was no way I would represent her, or Johnathon for that matter.

"Her actions were planned which would indicate she was sane at the time but due to her social status and the extent of the actions she went to, not to mention the pregnancy" I winced at that "The lawyer is going to push as hard as he can for an insanity plea and there is a possibility that..." I trailed off as Flair's eyes widened in alarm.

"No, no way" she shouted angrily, getting to her feet "Because she's wealthy she thinks she deserves a lighter sentence or to spend her time in an institution instead where she'll be treated like she's at a frigging spa?"

"I know it seems unfair Flair" I began quietly.

"Unfair" she exploded "Unfair doesn't even cover it. Sam's family is without a father and a husband because of that b***h. I could have died. Our baby could have died" she pointed out frostily "she almost killed Johnathon. She's too dangerous to be put in some damn institution to be assessed for an early release with good behavior" her tone was bitter "sometimes it's a curse being wealthy."

I embraced her. "I know this is hard. Try not to think about it. Right now, all we can do is wait for the trial. With luck, we won't be called for the prosecution but there's always a chance we'll need to corroborate the statements the authorities made to confirm what was said on the live feed was in fact the truth."

"I hate her" Flair's voice was sharp "I know she's your family and I know that she's probably not right in the head, but I hate her Johnathon."

I hung my head. What did I say to that? What words could I use to comfort my wife when it was my own sister who had done this to her? How did I make this better when nothing could change the past? Sometimes I wondered if she wanted to still be with me or if she stayed simply because she thought it would look bad to leave me right now. I swallowed hard past the lump in my throat.

"I'm sorry" I whispered feeling ashamed "I'm sorry that my family has brought such devastation to your life. If I could take it all back I would."

Except for marrying her. Nothing on this earth would ever make me wish to take it back. That was the one good thing I had that came from all of this. Even if she couldn't see the love I had for her right now. I dreaded the thought she might want a divorce even if I didn't blame her for feeling that way.

Flair looked up at me, her eyes blazing "Don't ever do that" she said as I stared at her blankly, slightly confused "Don't apologize for somebody else's actions. You have nothing to be sorry for. Neither of us do. I love you, that hasn't changed" she whispered fiercely as tears pricked the corners of my eyes and I blinked them back "I just find this hard to take in that's all" she tried to explain herself.

I kissed the top of her head. "We'll get through this together."

She closed her eyes and her body relaxed against me for a second. "Grayson" she murmured as I held onto her tight, wishing I never had to let her go.

There was such comfort and familiarity in holding her against me. She was like a beacon in a sea of darkness, a life jacket when I felt like I was drowning. Without her, I would be lost and yet I couldn't find the words to tell her that. The only thing that was keeping me from losing or sinking underwater was her and her presence. She gave me strength when I didn't think I had any more left inside of me.

"What about the company?" she asked and I stiffened.

The company. It was a curse, not a blessing. The one thing that Charlotte could never seem to let go of. It had consumed her until she fixated on it and became obsessed. I had no desire to run the company, no desire to fix what was broken. Even Grandfather had turned away from it in the aftermath of Charlotte's betrayal. He didn't seem to have the heart for it like he once did. It left both of us unsure of what to do with it. I wanted to remain a lawyer and I couldn't see myself running a company at the same time. I didn't want the employees to lose their jobs. It was a balancing act and I felt like I was walking along a very narrow tightrope.

"I don't know," I said at last, not wanting to lie to her as she looked up at me with trust on her face "The only reason I wanted it before was so that I could ensure that the employees kept their positions. A lot of them rely on the money they make to feed their families and to lose their jobs would put them in a difficult position" I admitted.

"That's why you were fighting for it?" Flair asked softly "Simply so you could help the employees?"

"Well I didn't want to give up being a lawyer but nobody deserves to lose their job because the new owner sells up or doesn't know how to successfully run it."

She smiled softly and wrapped her arms around me. "You have a heart of gold Grayson Oakes," she said gently "I wish you had simply told me this before."

I shrugged "I guess it would have made things easier if I had said it but I also didn't intend on falling in love with you," I told her "I was certain that this marriage would simply remain a contract one, and look how that turned out" I teased her.

She giggled, her hair teasingly rubbing across my face. "Well I think that worked out for the best," she said with a certain degree of satisfaction.

Roscoe came over and nudged me, trying to wiggle between the two of us. Flair began to pat his head. "Roscoe" I grumbled "I'm trying to have a moment" I pouted, making Flair laugh harder.

"Remind me again whose idea it was to get a dog" I grumbled as I stepped back from Flair and bent to pat him.

"You love him really," Flair said laughing more before she headed into the kitchen.

"Doesn't mean I don't resent him sometimes" I called out before winking at the dog who began to wag his tail.

The doorbell rang. Flair paused in the process of grabbing mugs down from the cupboards.

"You keep going and I'll get it," I said "Besides the security is still outside, so it can't be anything dangerous or anybody that doesn't belong. They would have checked their ID and credentials."

If it was another reporter, I wasn't going to be responsible for my actions I swore to myself as I made my way slowly to the door. I was growing tired of them constantly knocking on the door and attempting to wheedle interviews either out of myself or Flair. I opened the door a crack, wise enough not to open it fully all the way. Timothy stood on the other side, adjusting his spectacles, a grim expression on his face. I opened the door.

"Timothy," I said surprised, as he walked past me and I hastily shut the door and locked it before turning to face him "What are you doing here? Has something happened at the firm?" I asked concerned.

Timothy was holding down the fort and answering all of my correspondence for me as well as delegating all of my work to the other lawyers for now.

"Do you want a drink, Timothy? I can make you some tea?" Flair suggested from the kitchen.

"No thank you, Flair, um this concerns both of you," he said grimly.

It was then that I noticed the envelopes he was clutching in his hands. I felt a sense of foreboding. Flair came out of the kitchen, holding two mugs of tea. She couldn't bear the taste of coffee at the moment. Timothy cleared his throat as I took the mug that Flair offered me.

"I'm sorry to disturb you at home," he said faintly "but I was told to bring these straight to you. I'm sorry Grayson, Flair" he apologized, handing over the envelopes.

Flair opened hers before I could tell her not to. I had instinctively known this was coming. I heard her sharp inhalation of breath, heard the sound of her mug hitting the floor and shattering into pieces as Timothy reached out and held her upright before she could fall to the floor.

Her eyes met mine "Why" she whispered "Why?"

We had been requested to speak on behalf of the prosecution. Just like I had thought might happen. It meant that Flair would have to be in the same room as Charlotte again, both of us would. Before I could say anything else, Flair was moving, running from Timothy and dashing into the kitchen to vomit profusely into the sink.