"Mm."
Alexander didn't deny it.
His grandmother let out a long, heavy sigh. "I've heard you've been spending a lot of time with Millie lately. I know you two grew up together—you've always been close friends."
"But being seen together constantly, well, people talk. You need to think about your reputation, and hers too."
"Don't you ever think about how this affects Dani?"
When Alexander stayed silent, his grandmother pressed on, her tone more insistent. "I know Millie's a good girl, but you can't be in and out with her all the time. She might act like one of the guys, but she's still a woman."
"You two need to keep some boundaries."
Alexander listened quietly, his eyes fixed on the colorful graphs and numbers scrolling across his tablet. He didn't interrupt, didn't look up.
His grandmother's patience snapped. "Are you even listening to me? Alexander, I'm talking to you!"
At last, Alexander glanced up, his voice calm. "Dani doesn't mind. She and Millie get along."
That answer made his grandmother's face darken. It was true—Danielle had never brought any of this up to her, never once complained about her marriage.
"Just because Dani doesn't say anything doesn't mean she doesn't care," she pressed. "You think she tells me everything? She never breathes a word of her troubles, but that doesn't mean she isn't hurt by it."
Alexander finally set his tablet aside.
"Grandma, she's an adult. If she's unhappy, she'll speak up for herself. You don't have to fight all her battles."
She fixed him with a sharp glare.
"I just don't want your wife to feel neglected."
Alexander gave a faint, lopsided smile. "You're always on her side, always pampering her. With you spoiling her so much, how could she possibly feel wronged?"
"She could have sent the kids back here if she wanted time to herself. At home, she does whatever she pleases. Where's the injustice?"
His words were calm, measured, and left his grandmother at a loss.
"You say you got hurt saving Dani, but where is she? Why isn't she here?"
"I'm fine," Alexander replied, "She's at home, looking after Niki."
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