004: The Weight of Daddy's Legacy

-Dominic-

Tonight, the neon lights pinched on my nerves, and the bass felt too loud, or maybe I was just tired of the noise.

My best friend, Theo was saying something beside me, laughing and gesturing at a woman who had been dancing in front of us for the past ten minutes, waiting for me to look at her.

I didn’t. I just didn’t feel like it.

“Not even a glance?” he said, slouching back with his drink. “You’re off your game tonight.”

I lifted the glass to my lips, the bourbon biting against my tongue. “Maybe I’m just not in the mood to play.”

He snorted. “You? Not in the mood? That’s a first.”

Maybe it was, because all I could see was her.

Eve.

The way her eyes had widened when I stepped closer, not in fear, but something else. Something dangerous.

I should have let her walk away the moment she started fumbling through that presentation. Instead, I had pushed, harder than necessary. Because I wanted to see how far she would go before she broke.

And she didn’t.

She stood there, flushed, chest heaving, looking at me in ways she shouldn’t.

She knew. I knew she did from the moment I spoke. The way her body reacted in the conference room, she recognized the voice. She knew I was Dom Daddy.

And yet she was trying so damn hard to pretend she didn’t.

Theo nudged me again. “You’re staring holes into the wall, man. Snap out of it. She’s looking right at you.”

I glanced toward the woman he meant: lacy lingerie, pole heels, red lips, and routine smile. She smiled wider when our eyes met. Normally, that would’ve been enough. Not tonight.

I set the glass down, dropping a couple of dollar bills. “Enjoy the night.”

“Where the hell are you going?” Theo called after me.

“Home,” I said, slipping my suit on.

He laughed. “Home? You? Are you unwell or something?”

I didn’t answer.

The night air hit cold when I stepped outside. For the first time in a long while, I found myself at a loss for what to do, because the thought of her knowing didn’t anger me.

It intrigued me.

I glanced at my wristwatch, and it read past 11.pm. My driver, James stood across from the club, leaning against the car as if he didn’t have a home to go to.

I sighed as I walked to him. “I didn’t ask you wait, James.”

He opened the door. “Sir, my duty is to ensure you get home safely.”

“And you’ve been doing that for the last twenty years.” I murmured as I entered.

“You’ve had fifteen missed calls and five new messages from your parents.” He handed me my phone.

“Where are you, Dom? The Langleys are waiting!” It was from my mother, five hours ago.

I had dropped the phone in the car on purpose. Tonight, I was supposed to join them for an introductory dinner with the Langleys, but my plan was simple: bail.

“You finished quite early tonight, sir.” James noted as he turned on the engine.

I nodded. “Yes, James. Head to Kingston Hall.”

I dreaded that institution my family called home, but tonight, I just wanted to go there. I just wasn’t sure why, guilt, curiosity about what I had missed maybe?

I leaned back, letting my eyes rest. An hour later, we arrived at the steel gated, long-drive estate. By now, my mission was certain. I was here to face inevitable irritation, and get it over with, and maybe remind myself why I hated this place.

Mom met me at the foyer, clutching her robe. Even at midnight, she still looked poised, and elegant in a pink, silk night dress. She was also visibly disappointed.

Before I said a word, she leaned toward my suit, “You reek of alcohol, Dominic.”

I grinned. “At least I’m not drunk.” Then gently kissed her forehead, it was one of the only few affections I allowed myself. “Hello Mom.”

She looked at me, lips pressed into a thin line, while her eyes carried that restrained kind of disappointment that cut deep.

“Oh, Dominic.” She began in that low, soft tone that always made me feel guilty. “The Langleys were up till past 9p.m. And Grace, she was so lovely.”

“Then I did her a favor by not showing up.” I said dryly.

She clutched her robe tighter, rubbing her temple with a sigh. “I can’t keep defending you to your father.”

I shrugged. Honestly, I didn’t care about that man. But from her eyes, I could tell she was tired of pretending my detachment didn’t bother her.

“He’s still in the study, and expects an explanation.”

I sighed, heading toward the stairs. “He always does.”

“I’ll have the chef prepare something.”

“Mom, it’s fine. I already had dinner.” It was a lie to keep her from worrying. “You should go to bed now.”

Instead, she tossed me a maternal smile. “I’ll wait.”

I nodded, climbing the stairs. Maybe, she was the other reason I came. The only one I didn’t want to completely disappoint.

I entered the study, and there my father sat in his suit, brandy in hand, surrounded by papers. The room felt dark and suffocating, weighed down by heavy furnishings, as if it were clinging to the ghosts of its own history.

He didn’t look up when I entered, I didn’t care. I found a chair far across from him and made myself comfortable.

“Glad you could finally make time for your family.” He began in his sharp, cold tone.

“Honestly, I didn’t think you’d be awake. I came to see Mom.” I countered calmly.

He grunted, dropping his glass with a small thud. For a moment, he glared at me, as if he was waiting for an apology of some sort. I looked away first, letting out a small sigh.

The moment had finally arrived.

“You embarrassed us, Dominic.”

I sneered, “When have I failed you at that?”

His jaw clenched, but he kept his tone low and serious, as if he was avoiding something else.

“The Langleys are old allies, Grace is a respectable young woman, and you two were supposed to be introduced tonight.”

“Well, an introduction can happen anytime.” I shrugged, ignoring the fury burning red on his face.

There was no way in hell I was planning to defend myself or apologize.

He grabbed the glass, swiftly gulping down it content. “Your mother is the reason you turned out this way.” He began in that accusatory I’d always hated. “She always pampered and—”

“Keep Mom out of this!” I snapped. I hated how he always managed to drag her name into things when they went wrong.

He smirked, “You see, this is exactly what I’m talking about. Wasting potential, avoiding responsibility, acting like you’re above the family’s legacy—”

“You people built that legacy out of fear, and honestly, I’m not interested inheriting that.”

He continued, raising a brow. “And yet, here you are, owning it. Because in as much as you hate to admit it, control is exactly what keeps people in power. And you know that Dominic.

My jaw clenched, but I remained quiet out of the ounce of respect I had left for him.

He was right. I stayed, but he only reason I did was because leaving meant defeat.

He stared at me with the same calculated glare and tone he used when he thought he had won. “You’ll never learn until you lose.”

I stared back at him, letting a mocking smile spread across my face. “Then maybe I’ll finally be free.”

With that, I left the room before he had the chance to say anything else. Mom was in the hallway when I came out.

Her tone was even softer now, resigned. “Why do you do this to him?” She quietly asked.

“Because he still thinks I care.” I answered pointedly.

She looked at me, searching my face for something we both knew didn’t exist. Then she smiled weakly.

“I guess you won’t be sleeping here tonight then?” Her voice nearly broke at the end.

I didn’t say anything. I just knew I couldn’t. The only time my father and I were civil was at board meetings.

I kissed her cheek briefly. “I’ll see you when I see you, Mom.” With that, I turned and walked out.

I hated that I had to break her heart like that. But even more, I hated that she still kept loving me.