Chapter 46 Goodbye

Christian

Ten Years Ago

"Aaron," he said, his voice low and measured, yet laced with a quiet fury. "I believe we need to have a conversation."

My father's face paled, his bravado faltering under my grandfather's unwavering stare. "Edward, I didn't expect you to..."

"To what?" Edward interrupted, his tone sharp as a razor's edge. "To come and see the shambles you've made of your family? To witness the way you've disgraced my daughter's memory?"

Elina stepped forward, her painted lips twisting into a saccharine smile. "Edward, darling, surely you can see that we're only trying to do what's best for Christian. The boy needs discipline, structure..."

"What he needs," Edward cut her off, his eyes flashing dangerously, "is to be away from the toxic influence of this household. From the poison that you and your vile offspring have brought into his life."

Fed opened his mouth to protest, but a single glance from Edward silenced him, his bravado withering under the older man's fierce gaze.

Aar