Noah’s POV:
I didn’t want to leave Mirabelle alone with them, but I had no choice-I needed to hear what my father had to say.
Besides, I have no reason to be concerned. I’ve known Mira for a long time, and one thing I’ve learned about her is that she never backs down when people treat her poorly. So she will definitely be able to handle them.
I followed my father silently through the corridors until we reached his study. He pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Taking a deep breath, I entered and shut the door behind me with a thud.
“What do you want to talk about?” I asked.
He took his time, walking over to the table at the center then he sat down. I took a seat across from him and repeated my question. “What do you want to talk about?”
“Did you marry her because you love her, or was it just to spite your brother?” he asked, locking eyes with me.
“I have nothing against Ken. Why would I take such a drastic step just to annoy him?” I replied, tilting my head to the side.
“Then I guess you did it just to go against my dream of you marrying the daughter of the CEO of Quinn’s Innovations?”
“I don’t care about your dreams. I could have easily declined that proposal-why would I marry someone else instead?”
He let out a defeated sigh. “I suppose you really are in love with her.”
“If that’s all you wanted to discuss, I’ll take my leave now. I’m not comfortable leaving Mira alone with your wife.” I said, preparing to stand up when his words made me pause.
“You really hate me, don’t you?” He asked.
I sat there, confused, unsure of how to respond. I didn’t exactly hate him, but I certainly didn’t like him either.
He had treated my mother poorly while she was alive, and just days after her death, he flaunted his new partner-a woman who had given him a son, only a year younger than me.
The fact that he found time to get another woman pregnant while my mother battled cancer and that he could offer her better treatment than he ever gave my mom filled me with resentment and disgust.
I grew up determined not to be like him. I vowed never to lose a good woman over lust and promised to treat every woman with the respect they deserved.
That’s why I couldn’t stand knowing Ken’s true intentions when he married Mirabelle. I didn’t know how it happened, but the more I admired her kindness and despised Ken’s wickedness, the more I found myself falling for her.
So when the opportunity arose to make her mine, I seized it without hesitation.
Taking a deep breath, I forced a smile. “I don’t hate you.”
“I know you quite well, Noah. You’re just like me. I always take a deep breath before I lie and force a smile while doing it.”
What the hell did he just say?
Like him?
“Like you?” I started. “Let me make this clear, Michael Jordan Sylvester: I am nothing like you, and I will never be. Sure, we share some physical traits, just like with Ken, but that’s where the similarities end. You already have Ken who inherited your indecisiveness, polygamous nature, and selfishness, but I will never follow in your footsteps. So please, spare me the unnecessary talk and let me go back to my wife.” I snapped.
I didn’t mean to be rude, but his words hit me hard. I had spent my entire life trying not to become like him and hearing him say I was just like him felt like a slap in the face.
“Not a single day has passed that I don’t regret every decision I’ve made,” He pleaded. “I never meant to hurt your mother.”
“But you did, and you realized your mistakes far too late,” I replied. “Besides, you’re only sorry now because you want your son back, not because you actually feel remorseful, am I right?” His bowed head confirmed my words.
“What can I do to make it up to you?” he asked, still looking down in shame.
“Do you really want to know?” I asked, and he nodded. “Send Caitlyn away without a single dime, and put Ken behind bars for stealing Mirabelle’s company and also paying off a pimp to take advantage of her. Maybe then I’ll consider working on our already strained relationship.”
Seeing that he didn’t respond and his head remained bowed, I smirked. “You can’t do it, can you?” I asked. “As expected. I don’t wish to discuss this any further. I’m going back to my wife now.” I said dismissively while getting up.
Before opening the door, I added. “Work on your relationship with Ken. He doesn’t hate you; he’s just upset. As for me, I doubt I’ll ever be able to call you ‘Dad’ again without feeling disgusted.” With that, I walked out of the study. A few seconds later, he followed me, and we made our way back to the dining room in silence.
Reaching the dining room, we took our seats. “What did I miss?” I asked, trying to sound as normal as possible.
“Just a little family bonding,” Mira replied, with a wide smile.
‘She must have successfully put everyone in their place.’I thought to myself as my gaze fell on Ken, who glared back at me.
“Family meeting, my foot! Your wife went off the rails and threw insults at me.” Caitlyn said, turning to Michael. “You can’t let Noah stay married to someone so rude.”
“We should get going,” I said, standing while holding Mira’s hand.
“Are you really going to let them leave? Say something, Michael.” Caitlyn urged.
“Drive safely,” Michael replied, surprising everyone. He sounded sad as he spoke.
Mira suddenly turned to me and whispered. “What did you say to him?”
“Let’s discuss that in the car, Love,” I replied.