Chapter 31 #2
Chin straight. My jaw tightens to the point of pain. After everything I’ve done, tirelessly, selflessly in my life, this is the last insult I’ll let him throw at me. Never in my life was I a bad son. This is my last straw.
“You’re not a father. Barely a man. You’re a monster willing to sell out anything and anyone for that damn company you stick your legacy to, and I’m done with it.
” He opens his mouth, and it feels good to be the one cutting him off for once.
“Fuck you. I’m done being your son. VK can run itself into the ground for all I care. I won’t have any part of it.”
My father’s throat bobs. His foot taps. The mention of his company is what causes his resolve to slip. It’s pathetic.
“We’re going back to the office-”
“I’m not doing shit for you ever again. Do you understand me? I don’t want any part in being your son anymore. I don’t want the company, the responsibility, and least of all, your money.”
With shaking hands, I take my wallet from my back pocket. The cards attached to my father’s name get pulled out, and still running on the adrenaline of changing my life now, for good, I throw them at his feet.
“There. We’re done. Now get the fuck out.”
When the metal hits the floor, slipping off his dress shoes and onto the hardwood, it’s like his spirit goes with it. His shoulders fall. His eyelids droop.
I haven’t needed my father’s money for a long time.
I’ve wondered before, if he might’ve found out about the millions I have stored away.
It wouldn’t be impossible for him; with how much power and connections he has.
By some sick chance, maybe he always knew it wasn’t the money keeping me to him.
There’s a possibility he thought his intimidation tactics and emotional abuse would hold at his side forever.
His face morphs into panic. Simultaneously, we realize I’m truly, completely done with my father.
With a deep breath, he holds his arms out. Voice softer, he says, “We can talk about this, Locke.”
“No. Get out.”
Every word is getting easier to say. Control slips into my hands and tone.
His eyes widen. I always associated the emerald green shade with my father, because that’s the trait I thought held us together the most. But now, they don’t look gemstone at all. Just dark, stained, and pitiful.
“You don’t understand what you’re doing. How hard life would be without me, looking over you and taking care of you every step of the way.”
My teeth grit together, nails digging deep into the palm of my skin. “I said, get out. Don’t make me repeat myself again.”
“You need me, Locke.”
“No, he doesn’t.” Grant stands, shoulder bumping into mine when he crosses his arms. “You heard my brother. He said get out.”
I’m not carrying the weight of his criticism alone anymore. The muscles around my neck loosen.
His nasty eyes turn to focus on Grant, huffing. “I pay for this fucking apartment!”
“Paid.” Billie chimes in from the kitchen.
“Even if you didn’t,” I sneer. “I have my own money. I can take care of myself and my family for a long time. None of us need you. So leave.”
Grant snorts, and my father’s face falls.
I’ve never stood up to him before. Billie has never talked back. The three of us have never stood together, staring down my father like he’s a stain on our lives. Doing it now is a nail in the coffin for him, and a permanent door opening for us.
Liliana calls out from her place behind the island, “Grant’s name is on the lease. This is his apartment. I believe he and his brother told you to leave. If you don’t, I’ll call security.”
Usually, when my father is threatened with authority, he claims more power. To Dad, no one is above him—usually. He doesn’t throw around any intimidation tactics this time. The only way he responds is with wide eyes bouncing around the room.
It’s Derek next to the door now. Wordlessly, he inches the wood open and nods at the exit, signaling for my father to walk through.
Then, with her arms cross and face unflinching, Rosie snarls. “Get. The fuck. Out.”
Dad glances back at me. I don’t have anything to say to him. I just point to the door and let the silence talk for me.
Stare cold and posture stiff, he picks up the cards at his feet. He walks silently to the door, turning around right as he walks out. His eyes are about to connect with mine, but Derek slams the door in his face before it happens.
“Good fucking riddance.” Billie’s voice calls out immediately through the quiet. We stare at her, while she carelessly chews through her second piece of pumpkin crunch, and shrugs. “What?”
“I cannot believe that just happened.”
It hits me all at once.
It’s not just inside thoughts anymore. The supportive sentences my loved ones have given me aren’t just words. They’re real. They’ve become tangible in this apartment and in the folds of our lives. My life.
I’ve cut ties with Dad, on my own accord, leaving him with no place in my life.
No longer am I just my father’s son.
An arm comes around my shaking shoulders. “I’m so proud of you. You needed that to happen.”
Grant would know better than anyone else. How tiring it is to look at the man who has been your life’s sole father figure and tell him he’s fired from the position.
My brother whispers a few more encouraging things in my ear. Mostly about how it might feel like the end of the world now, but it’ll get better once I adjust to a life without him. I don’t have it in me to tell Grant that, if anything, it feels like my life is barely beginning.
Eventually, he walks off. I’m alone for just a few seconds before my space is overflowing with her. Soft hands, beautiful brown eyes, and a gold L necklace sitting over her brown turtleneck sweater.
“Are you feeling okay, love?”
“I might be sick,” I tell her truthfully. My heart is still shaken, but I know this is for the best. Hearing Grant’s words and having Rosalie here with me gives me the support I need. “But I’ll be okay. I needed that.”
“I’m proud of you,” she whispers. The words become something else exclusive to us—just like the necklace resting over her chest. “You’re amazing, you know?”
“Only because I have you. I’m not me without you.”
My fingers find the pendant that holds a significance no one else will understand. Our promises reflect in the diamonds and visions of our future shimmer in its gold. I’m so captivated by it and her, that I almost miss what she says.
“No more of that. You’re your own person from today and onto forever. I’m just lucky enough to be next to you through it.”
A life without her support feels impossible now. While I’m scrabbling to get a hold on this new reality, she already knows what I need to hear.
I can’t help myself. Rubbing the L between my fingers, I say in a hushed voice, “I love you so much, Princess.”
“I love you too.” I bend down to meet her in a kiss. I’ll never get enough of pressing our love together in a kiss, but I crave it more tonight than ever before.
I’m not sure how long we stand there, promising our future in actions instead of words, before Billie groans, “Okay! We get it, love birds!”
When we pull apart, I realize our friends are staring. Heat returns to my face, and Rosie laughs into my chest. “Your brother just had a life-altering moment. He deserves some kisses.”
My sister mumbles an, “Ew,” under her breath while Derek comes behind me, knocking shoulders.
“Proud of you, man. I’m glad I got to be there to see that.” He holds his palm out. I clap our hands together before he slaps my back. I twitch to adjust my glasses, but don’t feel the overwhelming need to.
“Thanks,” I mumble instead. “Hopefully nothing bad will come out of it. My father can be a real asshole when he wants to. I don’t want everyone else to get caught up in the mess.”
“Don’t worry about any of that.” Liliana assures me.
“Yeah,” Derek adds on. “We got each other now. We’ll be okay.”
I have something new to ponder over.
There’s no more questioning who I am. I know I’m someone blessed to be loved by these people, who see the best and worst of me and extend their kindness regardless. I’m lucky enough to be surrounded by a family like this. Developed together by friendship, not by blood, but just as rewarding.
The only question I have is where I’m going with these people.