The Inheritance Games, #4
The Brothers Hawthorne
by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Contents
CHAPTER 63: GRAYSON
Overview
Grayson, Savannah, and Gigi visit Kimberly Wright, Sheffield Grayson’s estranged sister, and uncover the deeper history of Sheffield’s life as Shep, his bond with Colin, and his complicated dependence on and resentment of Kimberly. The conversation reframes Sheffield’s relationship with Acacia and Colin, forcing the twins and Grayson to confront that Sheffield’s abandonment may be tied to older grief and secrets. Kimberly reveals that Sheffield hid a wooden box in Colin’s room, giving them a concrete new lead that may help explain Sheffield’s crimes and possibly aid Acacia.
Summary
Grayson gets Kimberly Wright’s address through Zabrowski and goes there with Savannah and Gigi, while Nash and Xander wait outside. The visit is emotionally charged because Grayson has begun accepting the twins as his sisters, and Gigi introduces him to Kimberly as their brother without Savannah correcting her.
Kimberly, Sheffield Grayson’s sister, recognizes Sheffield’s eyes in Savannah and Grayson and lets them inside. When Savannah and Gigi explain that their father disappeared a year and a half ago and did not return, Kimberly reveals family history: Sheffield was born Shep, came to live with Kimberly after their mother died, helped raise her son Colin, later changed his name, won a basketball scholarship, and distanced himself from Kimberly after marrying Acacia.
Kimberly explains that Sheffield took Colin to live with him and Acacia, helped Kimberly financially, and treated Colin like a son. After Colin died, Sheffield blamed Kimberly for Colin’s addiction, though Kimberly insists Colin first took pills after an ACL injury and suffered under Sheffield’s pressure to play college basketball. Kimberly also says Sheffield fell in love with Acacia because of how she treated Colin, a revelation that affects both twins.
Grayson shows Kimberly the withdrawal slips marked with what appears to be her initials. Kimberly admits Sheffield periodically brought her money, but only in round amounts, meaning the odd extra sums on the slips must have served another purpose. Savannah asks whether Sheffield brought anything else, suspecting that he may have hidden something at Kimberly’s house.
Kimberly first denies it, but Gigi’s use of “Aunt Kim” softens her. Kimberly admits Sheffield would leave money on the counter, then shut himself in Colin’s room, where she once saw a fine wooden box on the floor. Sheffield left the box in Colin’s closet and threatened to stop helping Kimberly if she ever touched or looked at it.
Grayson, Savannah, and Gigi ask to see the room and the box. Gigi and Savannah make Kimberly understand that Sheffield abandoned them, deceived them, and may have left something that could help Acacia. After Cinnamon the dachshund interrupts by needing to go outside, Kimberly relents and directs them to Colin’s room, telling them to do what they want with the box.
Who Appears
- Grayson HawthorneLeads the visit to Kimberly and accepts Savannah and Gigi as his sisters.
- Savannah GraysonConfronts family truths and explains why they need answers about Sheffield’s hidden box.
- Gigi GraysonSoftens Kimberly by calling her Aunt Kim and openly claims Grayson as their brother.
- Kimberly WrightSheffield’s estranged sister; reveals his past with Colin and the hidden wooden box.
- Sheffield Grayson / ShepAbsent father whose childhood, name change, Colin bond, and hidden box drive the chapter.
- Colin WrightKimberly’s son, raised partly by Sheffield; his death and old room remain central.
- Nash HawthorneWaits outside with Xander so Grayson and the twins can face Kimberly alone.
- Xander HawthorneWaits outside with Nash and jokes about checking in on Jameson.