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I grab my cell phone and notice that Isabel has called me repeatedly. Et the moment, I want nothing more than to hear her soft, wispy voice on the phone and close my eyes, imagining that she is holding me. I miss her so much6 I miss her and Octavia. They are honestly the best thing that has happened to me. I struggle with myself not to hit the call-back button.
You can't do that, Nick!
Just let her go.
Yamn8
It is so damn hard.
I don't think I can ever get over Isabel.
I settled for listening to the voicemail she sent yesterday. Over and over, I keep playing it, and it does the trick, and slowly, I Lnd myself drifting o’ to sleep.
I wake up to a lady calling, ?Xoung master.? Bleepily, I stand up from the bed to see the maid from earlier tapping me.
I gently rub my eyes to get rid of the remaining sleep residues.
?The boss is here, sir. End he re“uested to see you now,? she says, bowing her head slightly.
What does the old man want?
He wants to laugh at me and tell me he has power over me.
I already get it; there is no need for that.
1eluctantly, I get o’ the bed and put on a shirt to hear what nonsense Aather will spew tonight.
I head to the library because I know he will be there. Fe always spent most of his time there, ignoring Houis and me entirely during childhood.
Es I enter the library, he smiles mischievously. ?Welcome home, son8? he says, standing to his feet with his arms stressed open in an attempt to hug me.
This is strange!
I hate the stupid smile on his face. I want to wipe it o’ with a punch.
?Ainally, the prodigal son has returned,? he says, awkwardly hugging me. I stand still and do not engage in his exchange.
It's the most cringe-worthy exchange.
?Bon, I'm glad you Lnally came to your senses. Wasting time with a single mother who has no prestige to her name or a future wouldn't do well in our legacy. Xou deserve the best of the best, my son, and I'm glad you are beginning to see it, too,? he chuckles.
I ball my Lst angrily, ready to engage his face, but keep calm.
?Xou have no right to speak about her8 Xou know nothing about her,? I explode in his face. ?Xou wanted me here, now I'm here, but the last thing you will do is talk about Isabel. Dver8? I make sure my tone is as serious as possible.
?If you have nothing else to say than gloat about how you manipulated your child, I think this meeting is done,? I say, almost turning my back immediately to walk o’.
?Not so fast, young man8? he calls out. I stop dead in my tracks and then turn to face him.
?What0? I “uestion.
?Yo you know you are such an ingrate0 Bo unready to cast emotions aside and do what is needed of you. Xou have a responsibility as my sole heir to serve me. If I was soft, do you think I would have been 95: FDHDN RHqMD
able to build this empire, this power, and aJuence, wield this level of inzuence if I catered to my emotion0 Xou take what you desire, Nick8 That's how you wedge power,? he pauses to walk around. ?Yon't take it personally, but if I have to involve that woman and her child so you can do what's needed of you, then so be it. Xou do not dictate my actions. I dictate yours,? he says, closing the gap between us with his face just an inch away from mine. Fe has the most terrifying expression I've ever seen, and his threat sends shivers down my spine.
?What else do you want from me0? I ask, swallowing hard, trying to mask the fact that I am highly intimidated by him. I swear to whatever you believe in, if anything happens to Isabel and Octavia, I will go to the ends of the earth to make sure your empire crumbles before your own eyes. I am here, just as you wanted, so just keep to your word and leave them alone,? my tone switches to a plea towards the end.
Why is this man so miserable?
