180 — MICHAEL O’NEIL (POV)

“Marry Kristen and take over your company?” I don’t avoid the sarcastic and bitter laughter that carries all my resentment. Wasn’t it enough to guide most of my life and mold me to your desires? Even after so long, he still wants to hold me like a puppet.
*Honestly, this is pathetic.*
“It’s not a funny thing.”
“It’s *definitely* funny, Father. Even after everything, you still want me to marry that woman and pass me your hard work?”
“That’s the condition to seal a strong bond with Kristen’s family. Besides, marrying you has always been her wish.”
“Is that so? Isn’t you fucking her enough of *a tight bond?”* I practically spit out the words, noticing my father’s expression tense.
“I will not allow you to disrespect me here. I still own this empire.”
“You’re right! You still own this empire, but you must be tired, right? Sixty-five years old, I imagine you want to retire soon and pass your position on. Good thing you have your bastard son to take your place.”
Dominic’s eyes grow even more severe.
“But of course, you care about this... our family froze in the past centuries! Maybe your bastard son won’t be accepted, but there’s always another way, isn’t there? After all, your brother has so many children that you can close your eyes and choose one of them-”
My father gets up abruptly and slams his fist hard on the table, making a noise so loud that my words are lost in it. I seal my lips, looking directly at his dark expression.
“Stop.” He says, sitting down again and loosening his tie with a sigh. “There is no reason for us to talk like that.”
Dominic pinches the top of his nose, massaging it with his fingertips. The silence that settles between us is suffocating; I can barely breathe.
“I am no longer a stupid child who follows your orders blindly. And I’ve already proven that I don’t need you. Everything I achieved with J’O Tech was through my own effort alongside Julian. We both built it from nothing.”
“I never doubted you would. In fact, I knew you would build an empire all by yourself.”
“And yet, you tried to take it from us.” I retort with bitter words.
I still remember when I discovered the whole truth and broke into my father’s office. In this same room, he was sitting in the armchair with Mr. Adams and his third son, Jeremiah Adams. It didn’t need to be a genius to figure out what was going on inside these walls.
My father’s voice is still vivid in my mind, even after all these years. He told me, *it’s good that you’re here; we need your signature.* I was too stunned to find out that I had a teenage daughter and that my parents hid her existence, so it took a few moments to realize. It was hard, like having a heart stabbed with a serrated blade.
*Signature? Sign what?,* I asked, still too foolish to understand. Then I looked at Mr. Adams, his serious face that hadn’t smiled once in years... and at Jeremiah, and down at the table, seeing long pages of a contract that I didn’t write. So I finally got it — they wanted to take J’O Tech from Julian and me. All our hard work was about to be stolen.
After that, everything fell apart. Even Julian and the Adams ended up cutting ties due to betrayal.
So, of course, I resented it.
Of course, I turned my back.
But now, he’s telling me these words so easily. *Accept Angelee as his granddaughter? Make her O’Neil’s heir?* The child he never recognized? His blood that never mattered? What a sick joke.
“You think things always go your way, don’t you?” I scoff, ignoring his closed expression. “You talk like you’re doing us a favor, opening your arms and welcoming us like a big family... like I couldn’t see through you, through that facade of yours. But I can, Father. I can see clearly.”
“What do you think you can see?” He tries to scoff as well, laughing dismissively, but his Adam’s apple shakes.
*“You* need us.” My voice sounds stern, and he doesn’t seem to like it. “Let’s be honest with each other at least one damn time... You need me! Or do you plan to put your other son in charge of the company? Of course not. You are a proud man, but you didn’t even give that boy your surname. You left money in your lover’s hand and bought their love with wealth, but we both know that he grew up without a *real father!* And now, look at you... you don’t even seem bothered by my words! Did you ever even see that child as yours?”
He does not answer me. In fact, not even flinch. There’s no trace of emotion in his eyes, and that’s the answer enough.
“Even if it has your blood, you don’t see it as your son. Are you seriously telling me that you would accept Angelee, whom you’ve never recognized before? They’re both *bastards*, as you say. What would make her different? *What’s different now?* No, wait, I don’t need you to tell me because it’s pretty obvious, Father. It’s so pathetically clear you can’t even hide it. Angelee fell into the good graces of the Adams family; they welcomed her with open arms. They really accept her for who she is, for making Julian happy, and for bringing the best out of him. Angelee made him come back home! *Not you!* You’re trying to do it again... You bought the silence of a lonely and scared young woman, and now you want to buy the affection of the granddaughter you denied.”
“And?” He responds coldly, and I can see it’s not a pretense — my words really can’t reach him. “If I made the bastard my heir, where would that put you?”
“I don’t care; I’ve already given up on the inheritance and expectations you have for me. I don’t need your approval.”
Dominic sighs, and then his defensive posture breaks for a moment.
“It’s true, I only had money to offer. And that turned that boy lazy and arrogant. He doesn’t have what it takes to be my heir. *He’s not you,* Michael. And I would rather ruin everything than hand it over to my dead brother’s children. I made the company this big, and it was with *my effort.* I’m sure you understand that better than anyone... After all, it must have hurt when your company was almost taken out of your hands, right?”
“Because of you,” I growl, and Father’s lips curve into a smile.
“My question is still the same: did it hurt? Won’t you care if someone else would enjoy what you’ve built... someone who isn’t worthy? It’s unfair. *Wrong.”* He stands up, running his hand over the top of the chair. “But you... you’re the one who should sit here… You are my son. And, like you said yourself, I’m getting old. I plan to retire soon. I’ve worked for this family for fifty years, and I’m tired. But I can’t just let all my efforts be useless. I couldn’t forgive myself for passing it on to incompetent hands.”
He stops in front of me with his usual imposing posture.
“Take your rightful place, son… And let Julian Adams take care of J’O Tech.” Dominic holds my shoulder with a grip that, despite being strong, doesn’t intimidate me. “He will marry your daughter, he’s your business partner, your best friend… *Jacob Adams’ younger brother.* You have a successor, Michael, but I don’t have one anymore.”
Indeed, I always planned to hand J’O Tech over to Julian in the future. Fifteen years ago, we decided to make Jack’s dreams come true. We wanted to help other people with technologies in the way Jack pictured. Today, it is one of the biggest tech companies in America, but from the beginning, I always wanted Julian to take over my place. That has always been my desire.
And my father can see it clearly.
In the end, I can’t deny that I am really my parent’s child.
“I’m not marrying Kristen,” I say firmly, remembering Angelee’s words.
If it were before, I would probably accept it and sacrifice myself for Angelee so that she would be accepted and loved. After all, even if we cut ties, it’s still her right to be welcomed into this family, and I would do anything to make up for her past.
But the past can’t be changed — she wouldn’t change it.
I know there are a lot of regrets that I still can’t see positively and that I would probably change if given the chance, but I’m done punishing myself.
“Kristen is the best choice for you.” My father says thoughtfully, still with his hand on my shoulder.
“The choice *you* made.” I retort, looking directly into his eyes… eyes that I have rejected for the last seven years.
“You love another person?”
For some reason, his question brought a familiar face to mind. It’s confusing, and I can’t say why. *Amelie’s* smile every morning always brightens my day, but it’s the ones she gives after a tiring day or a boring meeting that really makes me happy. Realizing that is almost like a shock. I open my lips to answer him, but no sound escapes.
“Well, I understand, although I have never loved a woman enough to deny the best opportunity of my life.” He gives a sarcastic smile, then moves his hand away, letting it hang at his side. “Kristen wants her engagement with you back.”
“You can’t have everything. Not this time.” I say firm. “I can be your heir and assume my role with the O’Neils when you retire, but I will not marry Kristen. I will not let you control me again. Besides, I don’t want you to pressure my daughter. She has no responsibility to you. You will have no right to demand anything from her or Julian or my grandchildren. If money is what you have to offer, then do your part and don’t ask for any affection. We don’t want you around, but I’ll keep my word, hoping you keep yours.”
After a long moment of silence, my father sighs.
“Fine. It will be annoying to deal with, but…” He holds out his hand, waiting for me to take it. “You can do whatever you want with your life as long as you take care of business. And as for Angelee, I will revise my will and make her my rightful heir once you take over.”
I sigh, looking at his hand.
“Don’t worry, it’s not in my character to go back on an agreement, you know that. I’m not going to ask for anything other than what we’re agreeing on in this room. I want an heir for my company and my inheritance, and I wouldn’t mind passing it on to her, especially after recognizing her potential. But for now, let’s keep this a secret from your mother. Until I retire and change my will, we’ll keep this between us. That would be fine?”
I nod, and he seems relieved.
“Then come back home, son.”
I know these words have no affection. My father never told me that he loved me or hugged me, but as a kid, I really liked it when he praised me and said I did a good job. That would be enough to make me smile.
Not anymore.
My daughter’s love taught me many things, but most of all, to love myself — for her, for the people I care about, and for the future I want to see.