Chapter 155: Fatherly Love

Ashton's POV

"Meg, you can stay here with our son," I whispered in her ear, and my wife quickly shook her head.

"No, I will come with you and Belle; your father was only angry with you because of me," she responded, and I took her hand.

"I am sorry, Meg, you experience this kind of predicament because of me; I want to remind you none no of these things is your fault, it wasn't our fault if we fell in love with each other, and there is nothing wrong with our relationship; my father has no right to tell us what to do with our lives," I said, and she smiled as she caressed my face.

"I know, you don't need to remind me, Ashton, and that is why I don't want to hide from your father anymore," Megan responded.

After ensuring our son was soundly sleeping on the bed. We got out of my room, and Belle was already waiting for us in the hallway, and I could tell she was anxious as we saw her pacing back and forth. She only stopped when she heard our footsteps and smiled as we approached her, but it didn't reach her ears.

We walked together, and as we neared the living room, I could hear my father's booming voice echoing throughout the entire house.

"You have to calm down, Gregory, grandpa said in a calm voice.

"Calm down? I can't calm down, dad, and my children are ungrateful; I did everything I could in my power to provide what is best for them." Our father answered.

"My only daughter was hung up with his ex, who only played her heart." He added.

"And my eldest son married someone who didn't belong in our class, and Lennon was having a relationship with his secretary. Do you know what broke my heart the most; this young man is in love with another man; how can I be happy knowing none of my children were doing the right thing?" He added.

My father looked at grandpa Henry after he gave Cole a disgusted look, and our youngest was curling his fists on his sides, and he was looking at our father with hatred written all over his face. Cole stood at the center of the living room while Lennon stood beside grandpa, watching our father with the same expression as Cole.

"Dad, why can't you understand I am gay and don't like girls? You can't force me to marry the daughter of your long-time business partner for the sake of business purposes. I am your son and not a product that would be ready for the public anytime you want." Cole said as he looked at our father without fear.

"Dad, why can't you understand I am gay and don't like girls? You can't force me to marry the daughter of your long-time business partner for the sake of business purposes. I am your son and not a product that would be ready for the public anytime you want." Cole said as he looked at our father without fear.

I realized Isabelle was right; our youngest is no longer afraid to face our father; after so many years of hiding his true identity, he finally got tired of being a coward, and I couldn't stop clapping my hands which made my father's face turn bright red with anger.

"How dare you answer me without respect? I was the one who gave you everything so you could have a better life," Dad said sternly.

"And you, Ashton, were the reason I had a heart attack," he added, and my face saddened as I stared at him.

"Don't blame me, dad; you almost died because you spent your time hating all of us for the choices we made. I quit being the CEO of your company because I am tired of your manipulation, and being a good son will never be enough because we can never please you." I responded, and he became angrier.

"Because of that woman, you become a different person, and you think I will beg you to stay? Go! I don't care if you end up living on the streets." He responded.

"The woman you were referring to was the one who taught me how to be humble and kind to others, and I hated the idea that you couldn't accept her because she came from a low-income family," I said as I tried to control my anger.

"Megan is now my life, dad, the mother of my children, and I didn't even get the chance to meet my daughter because of you," I added, and he looked at me with wrath.

"I told you to stay away from her because his brother was a user; he used Isabelle to get money from us to support his family," he responded.

"With due respect, sir, my brother didn't use Isabelle, and I knew you threatened him, and you didn't stop until you tore them apart," Megan answered.

"You didn't know about your brother's scheme Megan, don't act as if Dexter was a good man, he was hiding his true colors, and I was glad I found out the truth before he poisoned Isabelle's mind." He answered.

"Dad, please, stop! I knew the truth; you didn't do it for me but to protect your name; you didn't want me to have Dexter as my boyfriend because you were ashamed that he came from a poor family, and you couldn't be proud of him, you were ashamed of me for having Dexter as my boyfriend." Isabelle declared as she stood in front of me.

"Look at me now, I am still dealing with my pain and was afraid to fall in love again because of the trauma that I had been through," Belle added.

"Dad, I want to be happy again, but I don't think I can find my own happiness; if you continue to do this to me, please allow us to love the person we fell in love with; after all, we are all your children who need your affection and care." She continued.

"All of you must stop your craziness and listen to me, or you will lose your inheritance!" Dad shouted, and I wanted to make him understand what my Sister meant.

"Greg, they are your children, and not your employees, for heaven's sake; they needed fatherly love and your understanding; instead of being there for them to listen and give them your undying support, you are pushing your children away, do I have shortcomings as your father?" Grandpa Henry asked.

"I had given you almost everything since you were my only child, and it breaks my heart to see you like this; I couldn't believe I raised you as my son. I supported you and accepted your failures; I never judge you, and why did your turn so greedy with power, son?" Grandpa added, and our father's face softened as he stared at his father.

"I couldn't believe you would do this to your children, can't you see? They are still united as one, and they will have each other's back; you should be proud of having them as your children; they tried their best to be good so that you will be proud of them, but you can't keep them forever a prisoner of your stupid rules." Our grandfather continued.

"They are no longer teenagers, Greg, they are grown-ups, and your children need a father who will embrace them for what they are. I never asked you to marry a woman from the elite society. I only told you as long as you are happy with your choice, I will support and back you up." Grandpa stated while dad was silent for a long while.

He looked at us one by one before he returned his gaze to our grandfather.

"What should I do, dad?" He asked, and I didn't expect he will lower his voice and bow his head.

Grandpa Henry looked as calm as ever, and he walked closer to his son, and I watched them without fluttering my eyes, hoping grandpa would melt our father's heart.

"Stay with us, and spend time with your children; you worked so hard that you had forgotten the purpose of your hard work," granddad responded.

"Guys, you better go to your respective rooms while I will talk with your father, and I wish you would give Greg a chance to show you how to be a father," grandpa declared, and we all nodded our heads, and I could hear my father's disapproval as he grunted under his breath.

"Dad, I would do what I want to do with them," I heard my father complain as we all retreated to the backyard.

"And lose your children forever because of your stupid rules; come on, Greg, you know better than that," our beloved grandfather yelled at our dad as we continued to walk, and that was the first time I heard grandpa Henry lose control.

"I hope our father would listen to grandpa," Belle mumbled after we settled ourselves on the patio chairs, and the stillness of the night made me wish to be alone with my wife.

I pulled her closer and inhaled her heavenly scent, and I felt delighted she was in my arms. Megan will always be my solace and strength.

"I don't think he will change his mind. I don't care about my inheritance; all I ever wanted is to flee; I don't want to see him again," Cole said as he held Belle's hand.

"Cole, you can't do that; he is our father," Isabelle replied.

"I am sorry to tell you this, Belle, but it is about time you stand up against him; he manipulated your life for how many years? Look at you now; you are already at marrying age, but you remained single and broken, I love you, sis, but you have to fight your own battle," Cole replied.

"Ouch, I really love your honesty, Cole, even if it hurts," my sister responded.

"Well, Cole was right, Belle," I stated and looked at my sister with compassion.

"I know that is why I tender my resignation, and I was planning to stay here with grandpa and grandma until I will sort things out," Belle replied with a weak smile on her face, and I could catch a glimpse of the pain behind her facade.

"That is a good idea, and I don't mind either if dad does not give me a penny; I can find a job and live on my own, and I had been dying to be free," Lennon declared, and I looked at my siblings with worries since I knew they used to live in luxury.

"I am sorry, guys; I knew things got complicated because of me," I said, and they all shook their heads.

"You know that is not true, Ashton, we could never please our father unless we would follow all his orders, and the highlight would be; marrying someone on his list," Cole responded.

"We supported you with your choice because we love Megan, and I salute you for making the right decision. You deserve to have her, and choosing her was the best thing you have ever done; you did the right thing, Ashton," Cole added, and my siblings agreed in unison.

I am confident my siblings will always be there for my family, and I know if the worst comes to worst, we have each other, and we don't need to be afraid of anything since we can count on each other.