Dreams Outgrow Rooms Built From Other Peoples Fears by Niro Mason 253

Posted by ADMINMMADMIN, ? Views, Released on March 15, 2026

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253 Gramps Confession

My leg kept bouncing beneath the table. I have never been this anxious or stunned. I’m shaken to the bones right now, and I’m trying to think, but I can’t process anything

What the heck?!

Ares went ahead and dropped a bomb. Bless our marriage? What marriage? I haven’t even agreed to marry him!

Oh God.

“Catherine…”

I flinched, my gaze flying to Gramps. Oh no. He said my name, and I don’t mean just say it; the sternness reminded me of when I sneaked off to a party. I tried to climb back through the window, but he caught me, standing there with his arms folded, along with a hardened expression just like now.

Of course, right now he wasn’t standing, but his arms are folded, and that look plastered on his face is sharp, sharp enough to cut through my head.

Shit!

“G–Gramps-”

“Why didn’t you tell me he found you…”

My mouth hung open. “I–I…”

Gramps sighed, looking out the window, and my expression softened.

“I–It’s just happened so fast, and I didn’t…I couldn’t…” My words paused as my eyes leveled to the table. “I couldn’t, Gramps, I couldn’t just turn him away… of course, he wouldn’t have just walked if I asked him to, but… You should see how good he is with Esme. He’s amazing. I–I would have hated myself more if Esme never got the chance to know him. Hell, I didn’t even need to do anything; she loves and adores him, and he

does too.”

“Are you saying he came back only because of Esme? I find it hard to believe after what just happened…”

“That is…”

LA

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253 Gramps Confession

His heavy sigh made me shut my mouth, the silence next punctured my face, and f thought about saying something, but I didn’t know what to say exactly,

“1-”

“Do you want to be with him?”

A heavy feeling settled on me, and I’m unable to handle his gaze piercing through my soul. I closed my eyes… knowing lying wasn’t gonna cut it because I can’t lie, but I was afraid that-!

“Do you still love him despite everything?”

My eyes stung. “Gramps—”

“You know what his family did to us, don’t you?”

Tears slid down my cheek. “He’s not them…” I murmured.

“He’s a King…”

“Esme is, too, and that is nothing but the truth. She can’t run from it or stay halfway across the world to escape that…” I gulped. “Neither can I.”

Gramps narrowed his eyes.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. No matter how much I say that it won’t be enough. You know 1 tried, you were with me through that hell, through the nightmares… But when he came back, he found me, searching all this time. I wanted to move on, but he never once thought about it. I tried Gramps, but I couldn’t… I can’t… I’m sorry.”

“Pumpkin…”

“I’m sorry…” I quickly dried my tears with the back of my hand.

We stayed like that for a while, and I wondered what was going through his mind.

“You grew up too fast,” he began with a sad smile. “And every day it kills me that you did. At some point, I thought it would make it harder because you never got the childhood you deserved… but look at you now, a mother to a wonderful little girl and a woman who finally puts herself first.”

“Gramps?” I voice, because suddenly he didn’t seem mad anymore or ready to flip the entire world.

“I kept something from you, too. You’re not the only one who has carried guilt all these

15:06

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263 Gramps Confession

years, a little but…” He placed a hand on his chest. “It weighs heavily right here because I wish I could have understood sooner, but my anger blinded me

I blinked.

“I have a confession to make,”

“A–A confession?”

“Every month in the last five years, Ares King came here… to Rosevale.”

A cold chill shot up my spine, and my eyes widened.

“And each time he does… I would turn him away, but that didn’t stop the guy…” He pointed to the door. “He would stand over there like a damn ghost as if waiting to be let in, and I was furious. He wouldn’t say a word and just stand there. I would bark and threaten him with my rifle, but it didn’t do much. He’d always come back like he’s on a mission or something, God, one time he came for his monthly visit, and the rain would just beat on him.

Ares… did all that?

“And then I heard from you. Pumpkin, I was so angry, but a part of me wanted to tell him, but each time I saw him I just…” He shook his head. “Until months ago, before he went to Penrose… before he went to you. He came to me and told me he’d found you. Do you believe what he said next?”

I couldn’t find my voice.

Gramps chuckled. “He asked for permission…”

“P–Permission?”

“I asked why he would do such a thing because, knowing the kind of man he is, he doesn’t need to ask anything of this old man, this nobody. And guess what else he told

me…?”

At this point, I don’t have the faintest idea, nor had I breathed for the last second,

“He said he wants to do things right this time. In his words. If I can win her back… then will yourlet me in?…” He sank his hand into his pocket, taking his time to pull out something. “And then right at that door, he gave me this…”

Gramps dropped a small black box on the table.

“I taunted him a bit, telling him there is no way in hell my granddaughter would forgive

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253 Gramps Confession

him, it’s pointless. That bastard looks me in the eye and says: ‘It doesn’t matter. I’ll get her back no matter what… Gramps chuckled, deeply amused. … and then he adds… in the right way.”

With shaky hands, I reached for the box and opened it… A ring… and not just any ring… the same one I tossed at him years ago. He had kept it all this time.

“That man is extraordinary. The least choice of partner, but… who am I to stop love? He showed me what I have always wanted for my pumpkin…” He gave me a sweet smile. “Someone worthy of you… who would cherish you…”

I broke into tears despite trying so hard not to, sobbing like a child. I clamped my hand over my mouth and nose to muffle the sound, my eyes squeezing shut.

“…Just like I do for Maggie.” He finished. “You have that now, and I would be more angry if you don’t hold onto it, because that is something so rare. I get to see it before I hit the grave…”

“P–Please s–stop…” I stuttered between cries.

His smile broadened. “I don’t know the whole story as always… but whatever decision you make, Maggie and I will always stand by you. Your happiness is all we have ever wanted.”