17
I finished my cigarette, stubbing it out in his
bedside ashtray. “A little gift for you, Dad.”
“May your love continue to burn brightly, like
this cigarette butt, illuminating your mistress
and your bastard.”
I turned to leave.
At the door, I looked at Janet, who was still in
shock.
“Oh, and that stock in Dad’s will? Mom owned
half of that. She transferred it to me.”
<
“And I bought up some more on the side.
Sorry, Dad. I’m the majority shareholder now.”
“He was just dangling a carrot. Old, pathetic,
and delusional. You two deserve each other.”
My dad was yelling at me to get out.
I smiled and left.
Michael and I moved into my downtown
penthouse after the fire.
The next day, Ethan showed up, dragging
suitcases, begging for a place to stay.
I asked what happened. He just kept hauling
く
his bags inside, telling me to watch the local
news.
I turned it on, confused.
Ethan Breaks Ties with Family?
I scanned the article, grabbing his sleeve,
“What happened?”
He turned to me, his voice calm, “Olivia, I
know why you broke up with me.”
“I know everything.”
He didn’t say anything else, just kept moving
his things in.
<
I hadn’t even agreed, and he was already
setting up shop in the room next to mine.
Michael, ever mindful, had chosen the
furthest room from mine.
Ethan was clearly pleased with his choice of
room.
He put his arm around Michael, inviting him
for drinks later.
I wanted to tell him Michael couldn’t drink,
but looking at the two of them, I just smiled.
Michael, quiet and calm.
<
Ethan, loud and restless.
An odd couple, but it worked.
I didn’t tell Ethan to go home, to make up
with his family. I wasn’t going to be a
hypocrite. “Don’t fight with your mom. She
just wants what’s best for you.”
That was something a saint would say.
I couldn’t forgive what his mother had done to
- me.
And Ethan, for all his craziness, was an adult.
His choices were his own. I wouldn’t interfere.
<
