Chapter 4

Calvin distracted Yvonne with his sudden dizzy spell. Glaring over her shoulder, she snapped at me, "Are you happy now?"

After that, the entire family made a fuss about getting Calvin to the hospital. Before they left, Gideon even turned around to snarl at me, "You're a walking jinx!"

I stood still until my legs grew numb, and only then did I head into the storeroom. Physically and mentally exhausted, I collapsed in the narrow bed and fell into a deep slumber.

I had no idea how long I'd been asleep, only that I was woken up by a rough dragging sensation. Yvonne looked feral with her bloodshot eyes as she yanked me out of bed.

"How could you be so cruel, Damian?" she growled without rhyme or reason before I snapped out of my grogginess. "You knew Calvin was severely allergic to peanuts, yet you gave him a peanut butter cake on purpose! You were trying to kill him out of sheer spite!"

I froze. Peanut butter cake? When did I ever give him that?

I sputtered incredulously. "Do I look stupid to you? Why would I use such obvious methods to hurt him, only to wait around for the rest of you to catch me?"

"Who else could have done it if not you? Your name and phone number are written clearly on the receipt from the confectionery!"

Yvonne tossed her phone at me and continued, "I'm so disappointed in you, Damian!"

Disappointed? I should be the one saying that! She'd unconditionally believe Calvin in any matter that concerned him and put the blame on me.

"Think what you want." I'd grown tired of arguing. "If you think I did it, call the police."

With that, I shoved her aside and left this disgusting home.

Lucas was belligerent when I told him about this and immediately barked on the other line, "For fuck's sake! Calvin set this whole thing up and played the victim! Is Yvonne an idiot? How could she have missed it?"

"She hasn't. Of course she hasn't missed it." I shook my head, feeling disheartened. "To her, Calvin is more important than the truth."

It wasn't long before Dad called me. "Damian, how could I have a son as wicked as you? What has Calvin ever done to you? Why did you try to hurt him?"

I listened to his tirade, waiting until he'd given up before I pointed out calmly, "You know, Dad, I did a DNA test the first year I was brought back to the Chapman family because I couldn't believe a father would treat his long-lost biological son with such apathy."

I heard Dad's breath hitch on the other end of the phone, but I continued, "As it turned out, we were father and son. But I couldn't find a reason to celebrate because I finally understood that blood wasn't thicker than water.

"Your unconditional love for Calvin over the last 20-something years had carved itself into your bones. As far as you're concerned, Calvin is your only son."

Dad seethed, though I heard the guilt in his voice as he said, "You're being ridiculous!"

"Am I?" I stopped pressing him and said calmly instead, "This is the last time I'll call you 'Dad'. From now on, Calvin is your only son, and I'll have nothing to do with you."

With that, I hung up.

I didn't feel sad, only unprecedented relief. It was like I'd been walking around with a huge weight on my shoulders and was finally able to put it down.

Lucas called after that, his voice full of excitement. "Damian, everything's set! The overseas studio has been registered, and I've already built the start-up team for you. They're the cream of the crop in the business!

"Also, your assets have been transferred. Just say the word, and we'll get ready to rumble!"

"Alright," I replied.

"But…" Lucas sounded worried. "Are you sure you're ready to leave it all behind? What you have back home and… Anna?"

Was I ready? I closed my eyes, the scene from the car crash the other day, and the three sneering faces in the hospital room playing in my head. None of them had hesitated to lie to me.

Yvonne used to say I was soft-hearted. I thought I'd be reluctant to leave them behind, too.

I chuckled, but my eyes were frosty. "I want to leave this life behind more than I want to keep it. Yvonne thinks she's got me under her thumb. I think it's about time I give her a huge parting gift!"