The Billionaire's Forgotten Heir

uncle came back

UNCLE CAME BACK

Victoria went still.

Could it be that he remembered?

Hadn't he gone into shock a few days ago? Did that mean his memory wasn't as bad as she thought?

"Grandpa... what are you saying?"

Nathan's voice pulled her out of her panicked thoughts.

Edward shook his head and leaned back in his seat.

"I feel like I've met her before. I just don't remember where."

"Must be someone else. I get that a lot," Victoria said, forcing a nervous laugh, which Edward soon returned.

"Silly me."

"So, Grandpa?" Nathan continued.

"I don't remember making such a promise."

Nathan shifted in his seat, his expression growing conflicted.

"You made that promise a long time ago. First to Damon, and then to me. Damon has yet to take a wife, but I've found someone I want to spend my life with. You meant for us to have your blessing, didn't you, Grandpa?"

Edward remained silent for a few moments, seemingly lost in thought.

"I made the promise to both my grandsons?"

"Yes."

"Then Damon should have the first choice. He's still unmarried, and I haven't fulfilled my promise to him yet. Why would I give it to you before him?"

Nathan's smile froze.

He knew his grandfather favored Damon for reasons he had never understood. He just hadn't expected the old man, even in his current state, to still put Damon before him.

"Grandpa..." he began, but Edward waved him off, raising a hand to cover a yawn.

"That's enough for now. I want to rest."

He stood and made his way toward the bed just as his caregiver stepped into the room to assist him.

Once Edward was settled in bed, the caregiver, a young man with a polite smile, turned to the two people still seated in the room.

"Sir, ma'am, Mr. Edward is asleep. Please give him some time to rest."

Dejected, Nathan stood and walked toward the door, with Victoria trailing behind him. He stopped at the doorway and glanced back at Edward.

"Rest well, Grandpa. I'll come see you again soon."

They stepped outside while the caregiver gathered the gifts they had brought and put them away safely.

As they headed back to the car, Victoria couldn't help but release a breath of relief.

What would have happened to her if Edward hadn't gone into shock, triggering his chronic memory loss?

She wiped the nonexistent sweat from her forehead.

That day, she had visited the cemetery after getting a tip that Nathan's grandfather would be there. Although she had no idea what he looked like, she'd expected a high-profile man in a suit.

Who would have thought he'd be dressed so casually and talking to Skyler?

What was she even doing with him that day?

The thought ran through her mind, and she almost bumped into Nathan at the door.

Nathan turned toward her, his jaw tight.

He hadn't expected things with Edward to turn out this way. The old man had forgotten a lot, but now that Nathan had reminded him of the promise, he still believed Damon should receive it first.

His fists clenched.

He had worked hard to earn Edward's approval, going out of his way to prove himself. And Damon... wasn't he supposed to be away, forgotten and never to show his face again?

How had he suddenly returned and started taking everything Nathan had worked for?

He needed to reclaim his position somehow. Uncle Caspian was counting on him, and so was his mother, Emily.

With that in mind, he turned to Victoria.

"I know a way to make Grandpa change his mind."

Surprised, Victoria asked, "How?"

Nathan was quiet for a moment before answering.

"Grandpa has chronic memory loss, doesn't he? And there's only one known cure. It isn't available yet, but I know Damon is doing everything he can to get his hands on it. If we get it before he does..."

"Then Grandpa will owe you."

Nathan nodded with a smile, pleased by how quickly she understood.

Much better than the dumb Skyler, who had only ever known how to follow him around.

Victoria reached out and took his hand.

"I'll do it."

"You will?"

Victoria nodded, her lips pressed into a firm line.

"I'll get the cure before Damon does. We'll save Grandpa."

Nathan let out a small sigh of relief. The South Enterprise might be rising, but it wasn't something he could easily gain access to from his current position.

With the Thompson family's help, things would be much easier.

"Thank you," he breathed.

Victoria shrugged it off.

"We're a couple now. Your victory is mine too."

Getting the cure was a perfect plan. If Edward knew she had obtained his cure, what would it matter if she'd disrespected him once?

Besides, getting Edward's cure was another way to secure her place in Nathan's heart.

Only she knew how much trouble she'd gone through to get him to notice her, and that included getting Skyler out of the picture.

With renewed hope, she gave one last look at the Carter Mansion before leaving with Nathan.

DUSK.

Damon expected silence the moment he stepped his feet into the Carter's old mansion.

It had become a routine by now. Just like every other day, all he needed to do was kiss Edward goodnight and then proceed to the study.

All he wanted to do was bury himself in work until sunlight crept through the curtains.

The chime of his phone had him stopping at the double doors that led to the entrance.

"Sweet dreams. Love."

It was a message from Sophia. He gave a small smile, then clicked on Ellis's text.

"Do I arrange for the meeting at the registry office?"

His thumb hovered above the screen for a bit. Then he typed, action quick and smooth.

"No need."

He'd take things the normal way.

First an engagement, then the wedding.

With that in mind, Damon pushed open the double doors that led to the plain area.

He'd barely taken a couple of steps in when a gentle voice drifted in from the island.

"One more bite."

Damon looked up; the fluorescent light cast a soft glow on the island. Dressed in an oversized shirt, with her hair tied back in a bun, Skyler's lashes fluttered as she blew cool air into the spoon in her hand.

She was trying to make Little have a few more bites of his food, but he was throwing a tantrum. Beside her sat Edward; he spoke a few words and then ruffled Liam's hair, his gaze gentle.

For a moment, Damon just stared. The harmonious atmosphere took him by surprise.

He didn't know how long he stood there or why he kept staring. Maybe it was because the sight brought back fragments of memories he couldn't quite piece together due to time. His movement paused, his lips pressed into a thin line until a loud chirp tore through his train of thought.

Liam, who was putting on an act, looked up, his eyes widening at the person at the door.

He knew that man.

It was the man from the hospital.

The one who paid him a secret visit at the hospital!

He pushed off his chair right before Skyler could stop him and took big strides toward Damon. Eyes wide and arms spread, he exclaimed,

"Uncle, you came back!"