AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Sounds like her mother.” He stretched his legs out and ran his palms over the pristine sharpness of his gray pants. “I want her to marry me.”
“Ah.” Brady leaned forward and pressed the intercom. “Give me ten minutes.” Depressing the button, he looked at his Dad. “The apartment deal fell through and we’re going over why.”
A frown touched his brow. “It’s been plagued by one incident after another.”
“We think it’s deliberate. There’s a suspicion that one or both of the owners are involved.”
“The father and son.”
“Precisely.” Brady waved a hand. “It’ll be dealt with. What was her response?”
“Pardon?” His father frowned at him.
“Michelle. I’m assuming you proposed again.”
“Yes.” Scooting forward, he scrubbed his hands over his face. “I made a mess of things back then, but, in hindsight, even though there was never any love lost between me and your mother-“ A whimsical smile crossed his lips. “We had you. I have you and for that, I have no regrets. I hope you realize that.”
“I do.”
“I feel guilty for leaving you to her mercy or lack thereof.” The pain was shown on his face.
“You had the company-“
“Which shouldn’t have taken precedence over my son!” Surging to his feet, he walked jerkily over to the cabinet and tapped a button. As soon as it slid forward, he selected a bottle of scotch and poured some. “No comment about how early it is.” He warned.
“I wasn’t going to say a word.”
“Good.” Sydney grunted as he brought the glass over.
“I don’t blame you. Never have.”
“I blame me.” Sitting down again, he took a sip of the drink. “I knew what she was like and I left you there.” He took another sip to wash away the taste of bitterness.
“It had to be worse for you.” Brady offered quietly, sensing the pain his father was going through. “You were married to her. I escaped when I could and never looked back.”
“And because of that, we were cheated out of our relationship as father and son.”
“Dad-“
“No.” He shook his head. “I just want to get it out in the open. I shortchanged you, Brady. I was too spineless to stand up to my father. He threatened to destroy the woman I love- “
“He would have carried out that threat.” Brady pointed out firmly. “It was for the best.”
“I lost years with her and with you.” He declared bitterly.
“I’m here now and so is Michelle. You’ve been given another chance with so much to look forward to.” Brady leaned forward. “It makes no sense wallowing in regret.”
“Yet here I am wallowing as you put it.” A smile touched his lips and his hazel eyes twinkled. “That’s pretty generous of you.”
“I can afford to be.” Brady leaned back in the chair. “I'm finally with the woman I love more than life itself and we’re on our way to becoming a family. I always knew you loved me; you showed me every time we saw each other. That was what made living at home with her bearable.” His intercom sounded.
“That’s my conference call.”
“I’ll leave you to it then. Thanks, son.”
“You’re welcome.” He watched as his father went to put down the glass and turned toward the door. “Dad?”
“Yes.”
