Love Rents A Room
Chapter 109: A Hard Conversation

Chapter 109: A Hard Conversation

Jeffrey clenched his fists.

It wasn’t that he suspected Heather of anything. Their breakup had been clean, amicable, even. She had wanted out, and he hadn’t stopped her. At the time, he had been too lost, too drained, his bank account dwindling, his pride shattered.

He didn’t fight for her, and she hadn’t expected him to.There had been no bitterness, no lingering resentment. And there was no way she could know that he was with Joanne now—the same woman his grandfather had once chosen for him.

So why did Philip bring her up?

Jeffrey’s gut twisted.

Philip’s expression gave nothing away. "This is your last chance," his grandfather said before turning on his heel and leaving the room.

Jeffrey stood there, his mind churning.

The world suddenly felt too small, too connected in ways that made him uneasy.

Was this all a coincidence? Or was something bigger at play?

Philip Winchester never spoke without reason.

Which meant...

Heather Nelson was more important to this mess than Jeffrey had realized.

Or perhaps... it was something simpler.

Maybe his grandfather had only meant to remind him—to warn him, that he would have to face Heather again.

He had once wanted to marry her. Maybe Philip was telling him, in his usual roundabout way, to think carefully before making another lifelong commitment.

Jeffrey exhaled sharply. His grandfather was frustratingly cryptic at times. But there was no time to dwell on it now.

-----

Philip stepped into the dining room, his sharp eyes immediately finding Joanne still busy in the kitchen. The entire house was wrapped in the rich, comforting scent of home-cooked food.

His lips twitched into a smile.

She must be cooking a feast. Joanne loved cooking. She didn’t just prepare meals—she poured herself into them. As he watched her move with ease and purpose, he was reminded of his wife’s mother.

A strong-willed, kind-hearted woman who had braved wars, recessions, and hardships with sheer grit and determination. A woman Philip admired a lot. Perhaps, Philip thought, Joanne could be her reincarnation.

That was how similar Joanne was in her spirit.

There was a selfish reason he wanted her in the family. They said, wealth never lasted beyond three generations. It had almost proven true for the Winchesters although they had a long history.

His own father had squandered nearly everything. Philip had been the one to rebuild it all, brick by brick, fortune by fortune.

And while his grandchildren were intelligent, none of them had built anything from the ground up. They might maintain what he built, but none of them found emotional attachment to what he built. For them they were just assets and businesses.

It would not be surprising if, in their hands, all that he had built came crumbling down.

But Joanne...

Joanne was different.

She was a builder.

She had the heart, the mind, and the perseverance to secure the family’s future in ways his grandchildren never could.

That was why he wanted her.

That was why, of all his grandsons, he had chosen Jeffrey.

Because, to be honest...

Jeffrey had always been his favorite.

He had raised Jeffrey. Jeffrey knew him—his strengths, his flaws, his thoughts on family, on legacy.

And still, Jeffrey had broken his heart.

Philip sighed.

Maybe... it’s not too late.

Maybe he could still secure a future where what he built wouldn’t be destroyed. Maybe he could leave this world in peace.

His thoughts were interrupted when Joanne appeared before him, a steaming cup of tea in her hands.

She smiled as she offered it to him.

Philip’s chest warmed.

He hadn’t even spoken, hadn’t even made his presence known, and yet, she had made him his favorite tea.

That was how aware she was. A smart and adorable girl.

He accepted it with a smile. "Sit with me, Poppet," he said, gently taking her hand.

Joanne sat beside him, still smiling.

Philip’s hand rested warmly over Joanne’s as he murmured, "I’m so happy I got to see you..."

Joanne’s gaze softened. He always said that before he left.

Her heart clenched.

Sebastian wasn’t around—he was likely off making preparations for their departure. Philip never stayed long, no matter how much she wished he would.

"I’m glad you found time to come here too," she said softly. Then, after a brief hesitation, she asked, "Did you come because of Caruso?"

He had appeared out of nowhere.

She was sure he had heard the news and rushed here without a second thought. He must have a thousand things to handle back home, yet he had chosen to be here.

Philip chuckled, brushing off her words as he always did. "Do I need a reason to visit my dear girl?"

But Joanne saw through him. A tear welled in her eye. She would never understand why Philip always showed up when she needed help the most; why he cared for her like she was his own flesh and blood.

She wasn’t sure what she had done to deserve his love.

Even Liam... Philip had helped him too.

This old man—so sharp, so powerful—had a heart large enough to carry her burdens, time and time again.

"I want to thank you," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "You keep making me owe you again and again..."

At that moment, movement in the doorway caught her attention.

Jeffrey.

She hadn’t even noticed him standing there, watching. Without hesitation, she pulled out a chair for him.

This conversation, whatever it was, he needed to be a part of it.

Philip’s hold on her hand tightened.

"You owe me nothing," he said firmly. "You’re repaying everything with your smile."

And he meant it. All he wanted was to see her happy. To see her well. Joanne swallowed hard.

"The debt I owe you is..." She paused, her throat closing.

She had thought she was ready for this conversation, but standing at the edge of it now, she realized just how difficult it was. Still, she couldn’t back down.

Now more than ever, she had to do this.

"About that twelve million, I~"

Philip’s smile faltered. His eyes, always warm toward her, turned distant. "What about it?" His voice was quiet, yet cold.

Joanne didn’t let go of his hand.

"Please, listen to me, Old Man," she pleaded, her voice trembling. "It’s hard for me to bring it up. But..."

Jeffrey’s eyebrows shot up.

Old Man?

Probably no one had ever dared to call Philip Winchester that to his face. But it wasn’t the nickname that surprised Jeffrey. It was the way she said it.

Filled with love.

Philip’s jaw tightened. "It’s hard for you to bring it up? Then don’t," he snapped, his tone sharp with warning.

For the first time in a long while, he was angry with her. She had no right to bring this up. He had given her that money freely, without expectation.

And now that she was doing well, she thought she could repay him? Was that what she thought of him?

Joanne didn’t flinch.

"You have to listen," she insisted, gripping his hand tighter.