CHAPTER 47

"All right, I won't."

"I'll be here in the morning, so make sure you're awake by then."

"All right, what about classes?"

"Are you concerned about that now? Simply do as you are told."

"All right, I'll do it."

Martin had left him with the files, which he read all night.

The next day, he met with the lawyers, who told him what he needed to do when he saw his father that morning. They arrived at Dark Enterprises and were led to his father's office. He went in by himself because the lawyers were unable to enter. He set the two files on the table and turned to face his father.

"What brings you here?" his father questioned.

"I am the one you are meeting with today, and father, let us not waste time talking about it and get down to business."

"What exactly do you want?"

"Father, I need the truth. I need you to tell me everything because your response will determine the future."

"All right, let's get started."

His father began to explain from the start, and he was surprised at how well he knew what he wanted. His father was already married when he met his mother; they fell in love, she became pregnant, and he was born. He was happy, but his wife found out, which caused a lot of problems, so he decided to ignore his mistress and son as if they didn't exist to protect them.

That worked because his wife no longer cared about his affair. He secretly ensured that they were well taken care of until one day his son was brought to the house. He later discovered that she was ill and had left the child with him.

When he went looking for her, he couldn't get straight answers, so he just assumed she was dead. He loved his son, but the only way to protect him was to abandon him once more, and this time it worked. He threatened him with his mother because that was the only way he listened and did what was asked of him.

He didn't want him to go astray, which is why, even as a father, he used those methods. Seeing him fall in love with a woman nearly twelve years his senior made him feel like he had let Dylan's mother down. Therefore he used more threats in the hope that they would work, but they did not.

"I've learned over the last week that you must absolutely love her. I looked through the pictures of you and her; I've never seen you so bright. I guess I was afraid of losing you in the same way that I had lost your mother."

"I have the right to love whomever I want, Father. Just like how, despite being married, you ended up with my mother. I used to resent you for being in my mother's life, but after seeing her, I realized she doesn't regret having you in her life.

Even though you treated us both badly, she gave you her undivided attention. It's the same for me; nothing will convince me to leave her. I adore her father, and I'd rather abandon the family who raised me than lose that happiness. Because of her, I was able to enjoy many things that I thought I would never be able to enjoy in this life.

Love, happiness, and apologies from you, my mother, and the me who is no longer afraid to face the world head-on. I don't want to waste my time because she inspires me and motivates me to achieve great things."

"I noticed, and I sincerely apologize to that son. I didn't want to lose you, which is why I did what I did, and by doing so, I nearly lost you, but I'm glad you confronted me and man up. I am very proud of you. So, what have you brought me?"

He handed the files over to his father, who read them.

"So, the first one is advising me to sign away my parental rights if I continue to manipulate you in the ways stated. I'm not going to sign it. Everything has already been explained to you. I will never abandon you, son."

"Does that mean you're okay with her being my girlfriend?"

"Whatever it is that makes you happy, son. I don't want to lose you because of her."

"I forgot to tell you, she has two daughters," he said on purpose, waiting for his reaction. When he saw how hard his father was trying to remain calm, he couldn't help but laugh.

“What about the next one?” he asked.

"This one wants me to give you everything that is yours and acknowledge you, and in exchange, I will get to work on my project that I have been working on for three years but lost the bid to Heritage Investment Company. I'm not going to sign it."

“Why?”

"No matter how hard I worked on that project, I can't sell you. You mean more to me than anything else. I'd rather have you than signing those papers."

"Is that correct, Father? You make me laugh."

"Wait a minute. Does the investment firm that won the bid also belong to Violet?"

"As I previously stated, she inspires me. She has connections that can frighten you, and yes, they are hers. She did it specifically to retaliate against you. She despises it when someone messes with her family."

"So, she's a homemaker!"

"Something along those lines."

"What about her own family?"

"They abandoned her, saying she was a freak. What gives her the right to be a freak? But it was thanks to them that she ended up with a very powerful family."

"What exactly does that mean?"

"Can you believe she's now a Garbera?"

"Garbera, as is Tawland's royal family?"

"That one, yes. Look it up in the news; she's all over the place. Don't mess with someone like her father; even I am afraid of what she might do, but I can't leave her. She means everything to me."

"Ah, I see. We should have dinner with her another time."

"I'll tell her as soon as I'm done with you. So, are you still going to sign or not?"

"I'm not going to sign it."

"All right, then. I'm going to leave."

"Are you leaving already?"

"After all, I have classes to attend," he said as he stood up.

He smiled as he looked back at his father. Violet was correct; he still cared and would not sign those papers, leaving him with one more thing to do. He went to open the door and summoned the lawyers. They all entered and took their seats, as did he.

“I thought you were leaving.”

"We're not done yet," he said, looking at the council, "so go ahead."

The lawyers pulled out another file and handed it to his father, who read it and smiled.

"Are you kidding me right now?"

“No, as I stated when I arrived, your responses will determine the future. Violet prepared the final document because you refused to sign the first two. Everything written there is correct.

You may view it with your board of directors, but you will only have one day to do so. We need your response by the end of tomorrow, or else they will begin the project on their own."