CHAPTER 48: GRAYSON

Back at the Grayson house, Gigi finds Acacia in the library, while Savannah coldly sends Grayson to wait outside. Gigi explains that Acacia’s library is private and Savannah has her basketball court; Grayson realizes Gigi’s refuge is eating candy on the roof. When Gigi asks what Sheffield kept in the safe-deposit box, Grayson lies that he does not know and gently sends Gigi away.

Instead of waiting, Grayson searches for Acacia because the twins’ key cannot open the box, but Acacia, as an authorized user, may be able to access it. Outside the library, Grayson overhears Acacia unsuccessfully trying to get a job as an event planner at a club, revealing that her financial situation is more desperate than she has admitted.

Grayson enters and shifts the conversation to Sheffield’s safe-deposit box under the fake name Tobias Davenport. Acacia says Sheffield never involved her in money or business despite her finance degree, and she reflects on painful “what-if” questions about her marriage. She explains that once Savannah and Gigi were born, regret became impossible for her because any different life might have meant losing the daughters she loves.

Moved by Acacia’s devotion to her children, Grayson tells Acacia that he knows about the FBI and IRS investigations, Sheffield stealing from her parents, and Sheffield draining her accounts. Grayson urges Acacia not to turn the box over to the authorities immediately, not to protect Sheffield but to protect Acacia, Savannah, Gigi, and Avery from whatever the box may reveal, especially because Sheffield is tied to violent crimes. Grayson asks for one day and warns Acacia that her name on the box could expose her to tax-evasion risk if the matter goes to the IRS.

Acacia sees how young Grayson is, but Grayson presses on, offering financial help because Tobias Hawthorne taught him to put family first. Acacia refuses, and Grayson pivots to Kent Trowbridge, implying that Kent is manipulating Acacia and that Duncan is not right for Savannah. Acacia admits Kent told her about Grayson, while insisting she had a right to know.

Savannah overhears enough to realize Grayson told Acacia about the money, and Acacia asks Savannah to let her handle it. Savannah lashes out that Acacia never handles anything and only takes it, then immediately regrets the cruelty. Acacia comforts Savannah, and when Gigi appears asking if everyone is ready to open the safe-deposit box, Acacia agrees that they will do it together, including Grayson.