IAN’S POV.
The house was dark and quiet when I walked in, the only light was coming from the chandelier lamp hanging from the roof of the living room.
I dragged my tired feet and dropped my coat over the armrest of the couch and let out a heavy sigh.
The faint scent of roses caught my attention. I rolled my eyes, following the scent of the flower only to come face to face with a bouquet of flowers.
I could tell they were roses, bright red ones. Like the ones my dad used to gift my mom. I walked over, leaning in to take a closer look, and noticed a small card tucked between the stems.
“Thinking of you. From Dominic.”
I scoffed, tossing the card back to the table. “It’s now Dominic, right? Who the hell is Dominic?”
I untied the ribbon used to hold the roses together and slammed them hard on the ground and trampled on them.
“What are you doing, Ian?”
Turning, I saw my randma walk into the room. Her face looked as tired as I felt, her shoulders slumped, and her lips pressed into a thin line.
“You’re still awake?” I asked, breathing heavily and straightening my shirt.
“How can I sleep?” She asked. “My son is lying unconscious in a hospital bed, and you ask if I’m awake?”
“Who is Dominic?” I asked, ignoring her lamentations for a moment.
“He is Saraya’s friend.” She replied casually.
“Friend?” I asked in disbelief. “You should know a person that sends red roses isn’t just a friend, grandma.” I said angrily. “Just how many men does she have in her life? Instead of working hard for the company, she’s been hoeing herself for every tom and dick in the city of Sydney.” I spat.
My grandma looked around. “Where is Saraya by the way? Did I missed her?”
I scoffed. “She insisted on staying by her father’s side even when Mary told her to come with me. She is the reason for this mess and she pretends like she cares.”
“Your uncle’s health is priority, we should focus on that for the time being.” She said weakly. “Must’ve been a long day for you, you should freshen up and get some rest.”
I instinctively knew her resolve had softened because of Alex’s health. “Rest? How can I rest when Saraya is soiling our names and reputation?”
“Can we do this some other time?” She asked. “My head hurts.”
“Are you avoiding this conversation because of what happened?” I asked. “Fine. I know you’re worried about him. After all, he is your son. But you would agree with me that this is the time to speed up our plans, that way it would be too late for him to interfere when he wakes up.”
My grandmother’s reaction was immediate. She froze, her eyes widened, her mouth opening and closing as if she couldn’t believe what she had just heard. “What?” she whispered. “What are you saying?”
“Ma, you heard me,” I said calmly. “Fate is on our side, who knew things would turn out so easy for us?”
Her face twisted in disgust. “Are you trying to kill your uncle? How dare you raise such conversation knowing the state of your uncle’s health? We are not having this conversation right now.”
But I was having none of it. “Don’t be so dramatic, grandma. I’m only taking chances just like he did with grandpa slush funds.”
She took a shaky step backward, gripping the back of the chair for support. “This is not the right time.”
“Then when?” I almost screamed at her. “Are you playing the role of a mother now that he is unconscious, huh?” I asked angrily. “Will he applaud you for it when he wakes up?”
A slap landed on my face. “Just how did I raised you?” She asked angrily. “Have you lost your mind?”
“Yes, I have!” I snapped, raising my voice without care. “Don’t act like you don’t see it, Grandma. Dad was the one who built the foundation of this company, not him. Uncle Alex just rode on his coattails, and now he is passing everything to her? To a whore?”
“You have my support, Ian.” My grandmother began. “You should trust me.”
I laughed bitterly, running a hand through my hair. “Trust you?” I repeated. “How can I trust you when your feelings keeps swaying?”
“What do you mean?”
“I know you don’t hate Saraya, you might be strict with her but it’s not hate. The one you really hate is her mother and not Saraya herself. It’s the reason why you have never really done anything to take off from her seat.”
“Ian…”
I cut her off. “I’m not done.”
“Ian…” she tried again, her voice trembling, but I silenced her with a glare.
“You’ve always been passive,” I said, pacing the room now, my hands clenched into fists. “You keep pretending you’re on my side, but deep down, you’re afraid to be on my side. Afraid to challenge Alex when it matters the most. And now, you’re trying to act like the saintly mother who’s too noble to fight for what’s rightfully mine?”
She shook her head. “That’s not true.”
“Isn’t it?” I sneered. “You think I don’t see how you look at Saraya sometimes? Like you pity her. Like you’re guilty about something. You’re soft, Grandma, and that’s why Alex has been able to trample over me all these years.”
Her face hardened, anger flashing in her eyes for a second. “You have no idea what you’re talking about, Ian. None. I’ve done more for this family than you’ll ever know. And as for Saraya, she is …”
“What? She’s what?” I cut her off, my voice rising again. “She’s nothing but a spoiled brat who thinks the world owes her something. She doesn’t deserve the legacy my father built. She doesn’t deserve the company. And she sure as hell doesn’t deserve to be coddled by you!”
“Ian, that’s enough!” Grandma screamed at me and for a moment, the room fell silent. She straightened herself, her eyes blazing with an authority I hadn’t seen in years. “You will not disrespect me in my own house. Do you understand?”
I laughed bitterly, shaking my head. “Disrespect? Oh, I’m sorry, Grandma. I didn’t realize speaking the truth was considered disrespectful now.”
“You’re blinded by your hatred,” she said, her voice steady but laced with disappointment. “And it’s going to destroy you if you don’t stop. This isn’t what your father would have wanted.”
“Don’t you dare bring Dad into this,” I hissed, my voice dangerously low. “He would be ashamed of you for letting Alex and his precious daughter walk all over us.”
Her lips pressed into a thin line, and for a moment, I thought she might just walk up to me and slap me again. But instead, she took a deep breath, her shoulders sagging.
“I’m done arguing with you,” she said finally, her voice tired and resigned. “If you’re so determined to do whatever on your own, go ahead. But don’t come crying to me when it all falls apart.”
With that, she turned and walked away, leaving me alone in the dimly lit room. The scent of crushed roses still lingered in the air, pissing me off more.
“Let Saraya play the role of the grieving daughter. Let Dominic send his stupid flowers. None of it mattered. Because in the end, I would make sure the company is mine.” I vowed right there.