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“I guess money just isn’t the focus of my life.”

I stare at him admiringly. “Good for you.”

I’m about to say more, but the large wooden double doors open, and a tall, stately older man with perfect white hair and keen blue eyes steps out. Next to him is a sweet-looking woman.

“Those are my grandparents,” Brett says. “Granddad, you didn’t have to come out and welcome us.”

“Brett, of course I did.”

I watch as the older man takes the woman’s hand and lets her walk down the stairs first.

“He’s got good manners,” I whisper to Brett, and he nods.

We head over to the older couple, and Brett introduces us. “Granddad, this is my girlfriend, Rosie. Rosie, this is my grandfather, Theodore Selleck, and my grandmother, Lena.”

“Hi. It’s nice to meet you.” I hold my hand out to Theodore first. “I’m Rosie Meadows.”

“Enchanted, I’m sure.” Theodore nods his head.

Lena steps forward and gives me a hug. “Oh, you’re such a pretty girl. Isn’t she darling, Theodore?” She looks over at her husband and beams.

“Yes, she’s definitely a looker.” Theodore looks over at Brett. “Interesting that you’ve finally decided to introduce her.”

“I didn’t want our relationship open to interference from the family, and I wanted her to feel comfortable meeting you first,” Brett says smoothly.

“Oh, there he is. Tyson, come along.”

A loud, sharp voice sounds from the top of the stairs, and I look up. There’s a skinny woman with bleach-blonde hair and dark eyes standing there in a designer suit and high heels. I feel Brett’s shoulders stiffen immediately. A tall man walks out after her. He looks just like Brett, only older.

“My son, Tyson, and his wife, Celia,” Theodore says, looking over at me. “Brett’s parents.” There’s a coolness to his tone that takes me by surprise, but I don’t react.

Instead, I look over at Brett, and he takes my hand and squeezes. Like he knows I need the support. I’m starting to feel slightly overwhelmed.

“Brett, darling, why didn’t you tell us you were on the way?” His mother walks down stiffly and heads over to us.

She stares at him and offers him her cheeks. He kisses one and then the other. Like they are almost strangers. Which I find really sad. No wonder the man is shit with emotions.

“Mother, this is my girlfriend, Rosie.”

“Rosie?” She says my name disdainfully as her pretty face twists into an ugly mask. “Like Rosemary’s Baby?”

“No, just Rosie.” Bitch.

“Like Rose?”

“I suppose it’s like Rose, but it’s just Rosie. Rosie Meadows.” I know this lady doesn’t like me and is trying to get me riled up, but I’m not going to rise to her bait.

“Rosie Meadows.” She looks me up and down. Oh, she looks like she wants to throw up. “Tyson, honey, Rosie Meadows is here.”

“I’m coming, darling.” Tyson Selleck walks up, looking like an older, richer, snootier Brett. “Hello, son.” He puts his arm around Brett’s shoulders. “Good to see you.”

Brett shrugs him off and takes a step back. “You too, Father.”

It’s so odd to me how formal they are with each other.

“And you are Rosemary Meadows?” Tyson holds his hand out to shake mine.

I’m surprised at how limp his handshake is. He may look like Brett, but they are nothing alike.