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“So, that’s it. You won’t be courteous to your own son for the last few months of your life? You won’t just let bygones be bygones and let us enjoy the time we have left together?”
“What, and give you the satisfaction of thinking I agree with all your life choices? Because of you, I’ve had to sell all my shares in MicroPro to the rest of the investors.”
The tone of his voice is unnecessarily angry. It’s not Eli’s problem that he doesn’t want to take over as predominant shareholder in his father’s microchip firm. Last night, Eli told me all about it. His dad owns seventy percent of the shares, which are close to being worth in the billions.
“And I’m sure, because of it, Mom will live a very comfortable life. She will never want for anything.”
“My legacy has been taken from me!” he snaps back. “Your grandfather built that company up to where it is today. He would turn in his grave to know I’ve had to sell it because my ungrateful son won’t take over once I die. Have you no shame?”
I hear a sigh, which I assume is Eli’s. I feel him. It must have been terribly frustrating and upsetting to have to listen and put up with this for almost his entire life. The guilt trips, the bribery, the coercion into doing something Eli has no passion for. It must have weighed heavily on him ever since his dad brought it up when he was small.
“Dad, you knew from the start that I wasn’t interested in taking over, but you pushed, and pushed, and even when my first hit movie came out, you still couldn’t just let it go.”
“Acting is not a career to aspire to, Eli. You’re in the news and on TV twenty-four seven. Rumors of all sorts which make your mother upset. Don’t you care about any of that?”
“You know I do care, but I think it’s wrong of you to bring Mom into all this. I have spoken with her about it and she’s fine. She realizes what they put in the press is mainly BS anyway. You’re just using that as an excuse to try and guilt-trip me. I know all your tricks now, Dad. I never fell for it when I lived with you, nor will I fall for it now. I would appreciate it if you would just accept that this is who I am and accept the path I have chosen for myself. You and I both know I have already made a success of it. Can’t you just be proud of me and move on? Life is too short for petty squabbles and resentment.”
Good on him! I’m so proud of Eli for finally sticking up for himself. I understand why he’s held back all this time, but simply holding onto this won’t give him the closure he needs once his father eventually passes. Hopefully, his dad will come to realize this himself.
“I can hardly call destroying our legacy as a petty squabble, Eli!” Gregory snaps back. “You wouldn’t even give it a chance, you just outright refused! How can I ever forgive you for that?”
I hear a big intake of breath. No doubt Eli trying to calm himself before responding to that awful man who dares to call himself a father.
“Most fathers who care about their sons’ happiness wouldn’t have anything to forgive. They would simply accept their chosen path and be done with it.”
“I will never accept yours,” he seethes back, nasty venom in his voice.
“So, this is it then? Despite the fact we both know you haven’t got much time left, you’re going to use it to shut me out? You won’t simply swallow your pride and let us be father and son for the time you have remaining?”
My heart thumps against my chest as I await Gregory’s answer. For the sake of everyone, he has to stop being so stubborn and just let Eli be there for him.
“As far as I’m concerned, you are not my son.”
A gasp leaves my lips, which I cover with my hand to stop the noise from seeping into the library. Tears well in my eyes, my anger rising. How could he do this to his own son? How can he banish him… just like that? How can he not care?
“Okay, if that is what you wish. I will bid you goodbye. I hope for your sake and mine that you change your mind and contact me before it’s too late. In the meantime, Dad, take care of yourself.”
I don’t know why, but I hide behind the corner like I’m up to no good, letting Eli leave without seeing me. I want to go after him and comfort him, but my need to speak with Gregory is greater, considering this is the perfect opportunity.
“You’re really going to let him walk away… just like that?”
Gregory, looking more drawn than ever, wipes his hand over his face with stress. “I hardly think you are the best candidate to take the moral high ground, are you?”
I have no idea how much he knows about me, but I certainly know he has a point—as much as I hate that.
“This isn’t about me right now. This is about you and your son.”
“Yes, that’s correct. Me and my son, which means it has nothing to do with you, Kendra.”
I step further into the room, refusing to back down. “I’m sorry you had to give up your company, but are you really willing to lose your only son too?”
Gregory laughs at my statement, causing me to frown at his strange behavior. “Since when have you cared about Eli?”
Wringing my hands together with nerves, I swallow. Yes, he’s correct. I understand that Kendra hasn’t cared enough about Eli, but what Gregory obviously doesn’t realize is it’s not Kendra standing in front of him right now.
“Since I realized what a terrible wife I’ve been.”
“Understatement of the year,” he mumbles under his breath, causing anger to rise.
