Maybe getting the wrong idea that he was somewhat strong after awakening, Denis, who had frozen at first because of Ellis's appearance and his disrespectful approach to their father, shouted loudly and clenched his fist, then went toward his half-brother attempting to make him know his place.
But Ellis found the situation even more ridiculous. So wanting to vent some of his still-suppressed emotions, he threw a punch at his half-brother's incoming fist with nearly all his strength.
As their fists collided, Ellis watched Denis's expression of fury slowly morph into one of sheer pain. He felt his half-brother's fist first break, then saw his stretched hand flung away, pieces of flesh and several fingers flying in all directions. Denis's body was thrown back a couple of feet before he crumpled to the ground, screaming in agony.
"Aaaaaargh."
While Ellis felt a twisted sense of satisfaction hearing Denis's screams, as if the sound were music to his ears, he turned to his father. For the first time, he saw worry etched on his father's face, then his usual cold glare now carried a murderous intent.
He was initially astonished, but then a possibility crossed his mind. Could it be that this man wasn't really his father, and his mother had some kind of affair? The thought lingered only briefly—his timid mother could never do something like that. Still, feeling a burning curiosity, he asked.
"Am I not your son?"
His father seemed surprised by the unexpected question, but with a hostile glare, he still affirmed that Ellis was his son. This only deepened Ellis's curiosity about the difference in treatment. Yet, as quickly as the thought came, he decided he didn't need to know and brushed it off just as swiftly.
"So do you feel like talking now?"
Nikolay, initially unwilling to give Ellis what he wanted, glanced at his son lying on the ground. Seeing the severity of his condition and fearing something irreversible might happen if Denis didn't get to the medical unit quickly, he reluctantly took a step back and conceded.
"Okay, I'll tell you everything you want to know, but this isn't the right place for it," Nikolay said, his tone laced with urgency.
Seeing Ellis nod in agreement, Nikolay turned his head toward his youngest son and with a tone laced with urgency said.
"Lev, help your brother get to the medical unit quickly. I'll join you as soon as I'm done here."
…
Sitting at a sofa in what appeared to be a studio apartment, which should be the one his father is now living at. Ellis stared him, at his bruised neck, his hand messaging his stomach where he got hit at, and his eyes eyes which now returned to their cold and indifference as he was he was looking at his eldest son.
Breaking the silence, Nikolay said.
"So what do you want to know?"
Hearing the shameless question, even after he asked him what he wanted to know just before. Ellis feeling like he is barely holding himself back, took a deep breath, trying to stay neutral as he asked
"Explain yourself."
"Hmm, you are saying explain. But what exactly should I explain?"
"You want to hear some kind of excuses? "
"I doubt though."
Hearing the Bullshit his father was spouting, Ellis narrowed his eyes, feeling as if he were on the brink of slamming him to the ground and unleashing his frustration. To let him know that he shouldn't make assumption. But maybe Sensing the danger from Ellis's gaze, Nikolay continued.
"I have not touched Selena, your mother for nearly twenty years."
"Like really, maybe I was cheating at her during our arranged marriage due to our fathers' arrangement, but those problems have ended long ago."
"And you are 18 years late to ask about them!"
"She knows, of course, that Denis is not her son. And she is using our status as a married couple to avoid having to marry again under her father's command."
"So why are you making it like she is the victim?"
This time Ellis was genuinely surprised. If what his father said was true, then aside from the cheating due to the forced marriage, could he really say that his father was at fault here?
Ellis took some time to think things over, and after a while, he arrived at a conclusion.
He could conclude that the relationship between his parents was a failure. However, both he and his sister had done nothing wrong and were harshly treated by their father, specially him. So, perhaps he could conclude that his father was, indeed, a fucking bastard?
After contemplating a little more, Ellis remembered the most important question for him previously which he wanted to ask.
"Then what about the medical department for the university? Why did you push me into it, knowing fully I didn't like it?"
"And don't bullshit me with, it was for my sake."
Ellis still remembered when he was a child. Despite their family being well-off, he still liked to have more money and asked his father, "What job gives the most money?" His father had answered with the profession of a doctor.
Then, as he declared he would become a doctor, his childish ranting stuck with him, and he didn't know how. Even his elementary school teacher praised him as 'our future doctor,' despite him not fully comprehending what it was exactly at that time.
As time went on and he grew up, it became like it was his dream for others. It became his personal stigma. Then his father pushed him even more towards it and didn't consider his opinion when it was really time to decide.
"As my father chose the military department for me against my wish, I chose the medical department for you. What's the problem exactly?"
Hearing the irresponsible answer was the tipping point for Ellis. He was now sure that while the crux of his family's problems might lie with his grandfathers, his father was by no means a good husband, nor a responsible or virtuous father.