Chapter 205
I eyed my right hand wrapped in a bandage, blood stains on the gauze indicating I needed a change, but I haven’t given any thought to it or moved for the last few hours.
I glared hard at the white door before checking my watch. It was close to noon, and she had yet to come out of there.
I pictured how she screamed at me last night to leave, the hot tears running down her face, and each time I did, a tightening sensation squeezed right through me.
Ever since yesterday, this feeling has been eating at me. No amount of alcohol, smoke, or giving Noah a slow, painful death dulled the feeling.
Catherine caused this. This rift… this struggle.
She knew what would happen the moment she said those words. I specifically told her the consequences. I terminated the contract as it should be, yet it felt like I had done something… wrong.
I heard the door unlock. I pushed to stand, moving to the other corridor and pressing my back against the wall.
When the door opened, I looked and released a breath when I saw her. She looked tired and weak, holding the wall for support as she walked the hallway.
I followed quietly behind her, making sure I kept a good distance so that she wouldn’t notice.
I stopped, watching from the covering of a wall as she descended the stairs. She headed for the kitchen, grabbed a cereal, and turned it into a bowl while dialing a number.
Catherine pressed her phone to her ear, waiting, while pouring milk.
“Hey, Tori,” she said, her voice dry.
There was a pause.
“Yeah, I’m fine. There’s nothing wrong with my voice… I must have caught a cold or something.” She cleared her throat. “I was wondering, can I crash at your place for a few days p>
Another pause.
“Tori, calm down, it’s nothing.” She rubbed her temple before adjusting her glasses. “Uh-huh. You’re right. I’ll explain everything p>
The call ended, and she ate her cereal in silence before finally noticing the plate. She pulled the breakfast I had made her close, glaring at it before she trashed it along with the plate.
After a few more spoons, she finished what little she had to eat, did the dishes, and walked toward the stairs.
I changed my position, observing as she found her way back to her room and locked herself in again. I came out of hiding and stood in front of the door like I had done the entire night.
I got distracted when my phone vibrated in my pocket. I didn’t want to answer, but it kept jerking, so I had no choice but to peel my eyes off the door and give space to answer.
Athena.
“Ares, where are you?” Her voice was in a panic. “You need to get her now! It’s daddy p>
I walked the hallway, making several turns until I found Athena, Agatha, and Isaac lingering around. When I neared, they looked in my direction.
It was an awkward silence until Dr. Miller came out of the room.
“How’s my husband?” Agatha asked in worry. “P-Please tell me he’s okay and that we brought him in time p>
“He’s stable for now,” he replied. “But I’m afraid his health is deteriorating. He has a few months p>
She placed a hand on her chest. “I want to see him p>
“He doesn’t want anyone to. Only his son p>
“Adrian?” Agatha asked, hopeful, but when she caught Dr Miller’s stare, she looked at me.
Without a word to any of them, I walked to the door and stepped through. The familiar sound of the beeping machine reminded me of two moments I wish to erase from my mind.
When my mother was on her deathbed, and when Catherine was unconscious after the car accident. I grew a heavy distaste for that sound. However, seeing my father, lying there, clinging to the machine he was hooked up to, it was more tolerable.
He didn’t seem so powerful anymore, nor did his presence rattle me. He just lay there on the bed so vulnerable to the point you could almost see life slipping away from him.
“A-Ares, is that you?” He stretched his hand out, hoping I would take it, but I didn’t. “My son, you’re here p>
“Father I said.
He smiled when he heard my voice. I didn’t think there would ever come a day when he would be happy to see me.
He coughed before speaking in a strangling hoarse voice. “After all the treatment money can buy. I ended up like this. You must be pleased that your old man is about to kick the bucket p>
“I didn’t put you there,” I replied.
“But you wished you did p>
Yes.
However, I was still a part of this because I knew what Agatha slipped in his tea every morning for years, but I never said a word.
“You asked for me I got straight to the point. “Not Adrian p>
“Yes, I did he said.
“Why p>
He chuckled faintly. “You know why p>
I released a breath, burying my hands in my pockets.
“The empire will be yours by right. There was never any debate about it. Do you know the reason I gave those conditions p>
“Truly, I wanted you to find someone like my Nina. A good wife by your side would make you earn more respect and power p>
“You’re speaking nonsense now. Death must be scaring you p>
He smiled. “Who isn’t afraid of death p>
“Death is a mercy p>
“It never was, my son,” he coughed, painfully this time, and I winced at the sound, looking away for a bit.
“This is retribution, I guess. Others my age are fit and strong, yet here I am wasting away p>
“Solemn words won’t do you any good. If you have any intention of righting wrongs as an attempt to make yourself feel worthy of death, the least you can do is start with your daughter p>
He gulped, staring at the ceiling.
“I shall handle matters from now on. Your blessing is passed, and they will know.” I turned to leave.
“I failed my children, didn’t I p>
There was a long pause, then I threw a look over my shoulder, recording this to memory because this would be the last time I came here.
Without a word to him, I left.