hot tea,” Jeanette said as she walked into Marissa’s bedroom. “I can tell that you are not feeling well.”
Marissa accepted the tea with a grateful smile. “Thank you.”
“Have you considered going to see Dr. Wallace?”
“Mother, I’m just tired,” Marissa responded with a small sigh. “I don’t need to see a doctor.”
“Are you getting enough rest?” Jeanette asked. “I know how you lawyers tend to burn the candle at both ends.”
Marissa was touched by her mother’s concern, but she was also angry with her. She cleared her throat awkwardly before saying, “That’s probably it, but I’ll be fine. I’m going to take a hot bath and turn in pretty early tonight.”
Jeanette studied her for a moment. “Marissa—”
“Mother, I really need to get some work done,” she interjected. “The sooner I get it done, the sooner I can have that bath and get some rest.”
“Okay, dear. I’ll get out of here.” Her mother backed off and headed to the door. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
Marissa shook her head sadly. She would never be able to look at her mother in the same way. Their relationship would never be the same.
Chapter 2
Thoughts of Marissa had consumed Griffin much of the evening and again this morning as he drove to work. He could not explain why he felt such a connection to this woman whose life experience was so different from his. The why really didn’t matter, since Griffin did not intend to pursue her.
When Marissa had started working at the firm, she and Griffin had spent a lot of time together when Jacob assigned him to be a mentor to her. He was one of the few nonrelatives working at the firm and Jacob had thought Griffin would be a good fit for his daughter.
Griffin immediately recognized the desire and dedication in Marissa to become a successful attorney. While she lacked the confidence of her older sister, Jillian—who had quickly made a name for herself with a high-profile case involving a lawsuit between a rapper she’d gone to school with and his record label—Marissa had what it took to make it. She was only with the firm one year and she still had a lot to learn. He knew exactly how she felt; he’d been in that position himself years ago when Albert Clark had hired him.
Albert often told Griffin how much he reminded him of Albert at that age—an intelligent, motivated student with a passion for the law and no connections. He often advised Griffin to focus on his career for the time being.
Griffin took his advice. He grew up in the inner city and was the first person in his family to attend a four-year university, let alone obtain his law degree. Many of his classmates had gone to law school because they really did not have a clue as to what they wanted to do in life, but for Griffin, studying law was his dream.
For the Hamiltons, law seemed to be a family tradition. Griffin respected them all because they were good attorneys and they all seemed to have a passion for the law. He shared that same passion and drive. Griffin worked as hard as anyone else in the firm, if not harder at times. He wanted to prove himself and hoped to make partner one day.
To do that, he knew he’d have to make sacrifices, but he was constantly struggling where Marissa was concerned. She dominated his thoughts, causing him to fight his feelings on a daily basis. He would not risk the wrath of Jacob Hamilton, although Marissa was certainly worth it.
He really cared for Marissa, but constantly reminded himself that he could not let his emotions get in the way.
Too late.
* * *
Marissa stood in front of her full-length mirror eyeing her reflection. The antique mirror had once belonged to her paternal grandmother. The reflective glass offered a glimpse of how much Marissa resembled her father’s mother.
She’s Uncle Frank’s mother, as well.
Marissa shook the thought of her uncle’s affair with her mother out of her mind. She turned to get a side-view look at her appearance. Marissa’s mouth tightened for a brief second. She removed the dress she had just slipped into moments before and tossed it carelessly across the room. It landed on her king-sized bed, joining a small pile of other abandoned clothing.
Marissa walked barefoot, crossing the room quickly. She entered her walk-in closet with purpose. She regretted not taking time the night before to find something to wear, and she did not want to be late for work. She had a meeting at nine o’clock with a client.
She chose a navy dress with a white Peter Pan collar and an empire waist. Marissa slipped into a pair of navy-and-white high-heeled pumps to match. She walked over to the mirror to check her reflection once more. Marissa brushed back her long brown hair and pulled it into a ponytail, securing it with a navy barrette. She scrutinized her appearance once more.
Although she was twenty-six years old, everyone seemed to think that she looked years younger. Maybe in time, Marissa would come to appreciate being considered so youthful looking, but for now she absolutely hated it.
As the youngest of Jacob and Jeanette’s five children, she was babied by everyone. Growing up, she had always received special treatment, but lately, she had begun to feel that no one really took her seriously. Especially…
Marissa shook her head. No, she did not want to think about him.
“I am not going to let you ruin my day,” she whispered.
Marissa glanced at the clock on her bedside table and then grabbed her purse. She needed to leave now if she planned to make it to the firm on time.
Her parents were seated at the table when she entered the kitchen.
“Good morning,” Marissa said to no one in particular as she rushed in, grabbed a bottle of water, blew kisses toward them both and rushed out of the house.
Her father followed her. “Hey, that’s all we get?”
Marissa smiled as she opened her car door. “Sorry about that, Daddy. I had a late start this morning and I have a meeting at nine. Are we still on for lunch?”
Jacob nodded.
“See you then,” she responded, fighting back tears. “I need to leave.”
He pressed a keypad on the wall to open the garage door.
Marissa waved and then backed her car out.
She loved her father dearly and it was killing her inside to carry this secret. Marissa could not understand how her mother could be so deceitful. How could she risk tearing her family apart by having an affair with Uncle Frank? He was her father’s brother!
Poor Aunt Vanessa, she thought silently.
By the time Marissa arrived at the office, she was focused on business. She had always wanted to follow her siblings into law and worked very hard to make that happen, which included graduating from law school with honors.
Marissa was intent on showing her brothers and Jillian that she was every bit as good as they were,
