Chapter 45
Parker
I thought of that every day. I felt truly lucky to be alive. I thought the events would haunt me, but instead I felt like I had a new lease on life.
I had an amazing woman by my side, supporting me every step of the way.
Evelyn had opened herself up to me and had confided in me.
In return, I did the same, and we shared things with each other that we never shared with anyone before.
I told her the dark thoughts I had during my recovery, and she shared her thoughts of self-harm with me.
Right then and there, we made a promise to always keep this level of communication.
We wouldn’t let fear or insecurities get in our way.
When we felt like the walls were closing in, we would talk it out.
Our relationship was new, but everything about it felt like it would last forever—so we promised to work at it.
My sisters were unbelievably happy for the both of us.
I would be forever grateful for the way they took care of Evelyn while I was having back-to-back surgeries.
Aja sat with Evelyn 24/7, only leaving to change clothes, while Janae stayed by my side, switching places only with my mother.
We were never left alone. My family had adopted Evelyn as one of their own.
She had fit perfectly, as if she were exactly where she was supposed to be.
Physical therapy was hard. I was constantly on the edge of frustration, curbing my tongue from lashing out.
There were times that I failed, where my family and Evelyn took the brunt of it.
In the moment, I would be agitated, but later I would regret subjecting them to my foul mood.
They never held those moments over me. When Evelyn suggested therapy, I didn’t resist. My body wasn’t the only part of me that needed to be healed.
The decision to stay in Oakland Ridge wasn’t one we made lightly.
Although the investigation into my conduct proved to be an attempt to slander my reputation, the damage had already been done.
Chief Bradden was more than apologetic, but I couldn’t let bygones be bygones.
The gossip about me had been so bad that the chief had suggested I switch houses.
Rory, Ian, and Cam begged me to come back, but I decided a new start was best.
My whole career, I had been succeeding out of spite. Just when I was close enough to be offered a chief position, all my hard work was swiped away because of a lie. Our decision to stay in Oakland Ridge wasn’t us accepting defeat. It was the decision to build something new on a stronger foundation.
My father hadn’t tried to visit again. It had been months since I last saw him. Even after all this time, I still had questions for him. I needed closure, and the only way I was going to accomplish it was by finally saying my piece to him before closing the door on that chapter.
Our father hadn’t set foot inside the estate, and our mother assured us he wouldn’t. One Sunday afternoon, we were all gathered in the living room after having breakfast when she broke the news.
When Mom said she was going to make this right, I had no idea this would be the result. She and our father decided to separate. Their reasoning was that news of their divorce would bring too much negative attention to our family, and we still had the legacy of the company to consider.
At first, I scoffed, thinking the worst, but our mother surprised us.
“Aja, if you had the opportunity, would you want to be at the helm?”
We were all shocked by her question, mostly because none of us believed Dad would ever give up Gentry, especially not after all we’d been through.
“Honestly?” Aja said with apprehension. “Yes. I know it’s difficult to understand, but I really do care about the future of Gentry.”
“Granddad would be so proud of you, sis,” I remarked. Out of all of us, Aja loved Gentry the most. Janae and I may have wanted different things, but the company our family built would always hold a special place in our hearts.
“The job is yours if you want it, dear,” our mother said matter-of-factly.
“What?” We all said in unison, including Evelyn, as we waited for her to explain.
“The board wasn’t too pleased about your father’s involvement with Sheriff Strauss.
Your Granddaddy was smart; he had contingency plans in case the company ever found itself in trouble like this.
Your father and I both agreed to transfer our shares to you if you want them.
The board is just as invested in keeping Gentry a family business.
They will support you as the CEO of Gentry. ”
Turning to Janae and me, she continued, “In addition to agreeing to transfer his shares, he has agreed to release your inheritance, Parker. I know it may be too late now, but Janae, you don’t have to stay at the company if you don’t want to. The choice is yours and yours alone.”
Evelyn gasped.
“Mom, I’m happy, but how did you get him to agree to this?” Janae questioned.
“Your father and I have been married for over thirty years. Throughout all that time, I never asked for anything. All I wanted was to raise my beautiful children and give back to the community that embraced me with open arms. When I left Macon, your father asked me to trust him, and I did so blindly. When things shifted, I ignored it. I disregarded what he was doing to our family, and I’ll forever regret the role I played in your unhappiness.
So, I asked him to grant this one request, to return what was rightfully yours and to let you kids be happy finally. ”
“Wow,” Aja and Janae said at the same time. Evelyn scooted closer to our mother, putting an arm around her shoulders.
“Thank you, Ma,” I said as emotions clogged my throat.
She stood up for us. I didn’t care about the money, I never did. I just wanted to know that she was in my corner.
This situation couldn’t have been easy for her. I knew she loved our father dearly. She probably always would. She was hurting, yet she still went to bat for us.
Our family was still broken, but now we had the tools to rebuild.
Janae no longer had to go to a job she hated every day.
She could pursue a singing career. Aja was going to be the CEO of Gentry, and I knew the company would be in good hands.
I now had more money than I knew what to do with.
Over the years, I had invested and saved, living a comfortable lifestyle.
Now I was a millionaire in a matter of minutes.
The twins stood and went to the couch, where Evelyn and our mom sat, embracing her.
As my mom sat with her arms around the girls, her eyes held unshed tears.
“You all are free to live your lives as you see fit. We only have this one life, and I want you all to be happy. Whether it's working for the company or pursuing your passion, know that you will always have a home here and that you are enough. I am so proud of the amazing adults you have become.”
We surrounded her, embracing her in a hug.
Our mother had made things right and had given each of us our freedom back. As I looked around at my family, I thanked the universe for giving us this second chance and for reminding me that family is everything. I’d protect these women with my life and never take their love for granted again.
After speaking with our mother, I couldn’t put off seeing him any longer. I left the ladies to themselves and hopped in my car with one destination in mind.
Our father had been staying at The Marquis.
There were a couple of townhomes on the property owned by some of the more influential people in Oakland Ridge.
We rarely stayed there since we lived so close to the country club, but sometimes our father liked to host gatherings there when he was golfing with large groups.
Marching up to the door, I rang the doorbell and waited. When my father opened the door, he looked disheveled, his shirt was wrinkled, and his tie was haphazardly loose around his neck.
“Dad.”
He wore a face of shock and surprise, as if he had seen a ghost.
“Parker,” he muttered, gesturing for me to come in.
“I want to talk.”
Stepping aside, he let me in.
“Why don’t you have a seat, and I’ll pour us a drink,” he offered.
He had never offered to sit and have drinks in the months that I had been here. It threw me off for a moment, but I swiftly declined.
“I’m not here to have drinks. I have questions that need answers.”
He sighed heavily and sat down on the sofa with the finger of whiskey he had just poured for himself.
I didn’t leave any room for a response from him.
“Did you know Sheriff Strauss was a dirty cop?” I decided knowing the answer to this question would set the tone for the rest of the conversation.
“I didn’t know about his extracurricular activities with his son, but I did know that sometimes he liked to color outside of the lines.”
“Why did you break our agreement?”
There was a pause before he responded.
“You’ll understand when you have children.
” He took a sip of his drink before he continued, “You were always helping others when you were a child. When your mother was pregnant with your sisters, you followed her around constantly. Always there if she dropped something or needed a hand getting up from a chair. You were only five, and you were taking better care of her than I was. The world is cruel. It will chew you up and spit you out. You hardly knew Evelyn, and I was worried that you would bring trouble upon yourself for helping her when you should’ve walked away. Look what happened to us.”
I mulled over his words. I could tell, even now, he thought he did the right thing. He judged her based on her upbringing. He saw that her father was a petty crook and decided to paint Evelyn with the same brush. His trip down memory lane did nothing to soften me.
“I don’t believe you were trying to protect me.
Evelyn showed everyone here nothing but kindness.
Every day you saw her, she was covered in scars, the light was gone from her eyes, yet you still went out of your way to make her feel unwelcome, unwanted.
” I scoffed. “You made a promise to me. I am not the naive eighteen-year-old boy who left Oakland Ridge ten years ago. I came back here and did everything you asked. I asked you to do one thing, and you couldn’t keep your word. ”
He started to speak, but I cut him off by firing another question.
“What happened to you, Dad? You used to be a man of integrity. Now you’re scheming and making dirty backroom deals. What happened to the man who raised me?”
“If I didn’t do the things I’ve done, this company would never have survived. My father had a way of doing things. The old way. Companies don’t survive because of friendships and goodwill. They thrive because of risks. Sometimes you have to get your hands dirty.”
He said it so casually as if that explained it all.
“Manipulating your children was just a calculated risk, huh?”
Nothing was funny about this situation, but I laughed. My father had broken my heart long before Evelyn ever came into our lives. At this point, I had lost hope. There was nothing that he could say that would change my perception of him. As far as I was concerned, this conversation was over.
“You’ve become a man your family doesn’t even recognize.
I was shot and beaten within an inch of my life.
Evelyn was badly injured as well, but she still saved my life.
We almost died in that fire because of the decision you chose to make out of this false sense of love and protection.
The whole time I was here, you never tried to talk to me about my life.
You just forced more of your beliefs and dreams on me.
Now you expect me to believe that you wanted to protect me? ”
I turned my back and walked to the doorway. Before stepping through, I turned once more.
“All the things you claim you did for Gentry, for your family, were all in vain. Look at you now.”
The drive back to the estate was quiet. I usually blasted music through my speakers, but this time I sat quietly, letting my thoughts run through my mind.
While I was disappointed at what my father had become, I was happy to be home with my mother and sisters. I had survived, and I had love in my life.
When I walked into the pool house, Evelyn was in her room journaling. We slept in my room most nights, but sometimes Evelyn liked to journal and do her therapy appointments in her old room.
She was humming a song to herself and scribbling away in her notebook. She smiled when she noticed me in the doorway. Untangling her legs and getting to her feet, she met me by the door and wrapped her arms around me.
“I’m so happy that you’re home,” she said into my chest.
I wrapped her in my arms, tightly resting my head on top of hers.
“Me too. But I have a question for you?”
She pulled away slightly to look up at me. “What’s on your mind?”
“What do you think about getting our own place?” I asked with eyebrows raised. I had a feeling she would agree, but I needed to hear the words to ease my nervousness.
Her face lit up with a dazzling smile. “I would love that.”
I hugged her again, treasuring the warmth of her skin and feeling excited about our future.