Chapter 7 - The Family That Wanted EverythingMy father requested a private meeting.
I agreed.
He arrived alone.
Without my mother.
Without Natalie.
Without his attorney.
He looked older.
“I made mistakes.”
I said nothing.
“You're my son.”
“I know.”
“You can't abandon your parents.”
“I didn't.”
He frowned.
“You're putting us in financial danger.”
I stared at him.
“You put yourselves there.”
“We thought you would share.”
“I did share.”
He looked down.
“I didn't realize how much.”
“That was the problem.”
He sighed.
“Your mother loves you.”
“I know.”
“She regrets what happened.”
I looked at him.
“Does she regret hurting Clara?”
He didn't answer.
“Does Natalie regret starving Toby?”
Silence.
“Do you regret trying to steal my company?”
He looked away.
That was my answer.
I stood.
“Dad, I spent my whole life trying to make you proud.”
He looked at me.
“You were.”
“No.”
I shook my head.
“You were proud of what I could provide.”
His eyes filled with tears.
“I never meant for this.”
“But it happened.”
He nodded.
“I know.”
I opened the door.
“You taught me something.”
“What?”
“Blood doesn't make people family.”
I paused.
“Love does.”
He left without another word.
I watched him disappear down the hallway.
May you like
It hurt.
But not enough to make me return to the life I had escaped.
