The tension in the estate had reached its breaking point. Days of heated arguments had left Adrian mentally drained, but he refused to yield entirely. His father, ever the authoritative patriarch, wasn't one to back down either. It felt like a never-ending chess match, both men moving pieces to claim the upper hand while the rest of the family observed from the sidelines.
In the grand study, where the heavy scent of leather and aged wood filled the air, Adrian slouched in a leather armchair, his jaw tight. Across from him, his father stood behind the imposing mahogany desk, his stance rigid, a storm of disapproval brewing in his eyes.
"You've made your point," his father said, his voice cutting through the silence. "But this family doesn't bend to whims, Adrian. We've worked too hard for one of us to disregard everything we've built."
"It's not a whim," Adrian shot back, his frustration breaking through the calm he had tried to maintain. "This is my life. I'm not ready to give it all up just to play by your rules. Not now."
"Your life," his father said sharply, "isn't just yours. It belongs to this family. To our legacy. And whether you like it or not, that legacy is non-negotiable."
Adrian met his father's glare with equal intensity, unwilling to let himself be cowed.
His mother, seated gracefully on the sofa near the window, watched the exchange with a mixture of exasperation and concern. She sighed, brushing a stray hair from her face. "Enough," she said, her voice soft but firm. "Both of you."
Her calm tone was the only thing that seemed to dampen the fiery energy in the room. She turned her attention to Adrian, her gaze softer than his father's but no less resolute. "Adrian, I understand your frustration. But your father isn't entirely wrong. You've had your freedom, but you can't keep running from who you are."
Adrian leaned forward in his chair, resting his elbows on his knees. "I'm not running," he said quietly but firmly. "I just want to live my life on my own terms. Is that so hard to understand?"
His father exhaled sharply, his hands gripping the edge of the desk as if to anchor himself. "You're asking for something this family doesn't give. But… fine."
Adrian blinked, caught off guard.
His father continued, his voice colder now, as though delivering a punishment. "One year. You have one year to do whatever you think you need to do. After that, no more excuses, no more arguments. You'll come back, and you'll take the business seriously. No more frivolous nonsense."
Adrian narrowed his eyes, searching his father's face for any sign of compromise. "And if I don't?"
"You will," his father said simply, his tone carrying an air of finality that left no room for negotiation.
His mother interjected, her voice quieter but equally firm. "Adrian, your father is giving you more than he's ever given anyone else. Take it. Don't waste this opportunity."
Adrian sat back, letting out a long, slow breath. "Fine. One year."
That evening, as Adrian sat on the balcony of his room overlooking the estate gardens, Annalise joined him, her arms crossed against the cool night air. She leaned against the railing, her presence calming in the tense aftermath of the day's arguments.
"You okay?" she asked softly.
Adrian shrugged. "I don't know. I guess I should be happy he didn't just lock me in a room until I gave in."
Annalise chuckled lightly. "He's come close to doing that before. You know how he is."
"Yeah, I know," Adrian said, his voice tinged with exhaustion.
For a moment, silence settled between them, the faint chirping of crickets filling the air.
"Do you think I'm being selfish?" Adrian asked suddenly, his gaze fixed on the stars above.
Annalise tilted her head, considering her answer. "Maybe a little," she admitted. "But I also think you're brave. Most of us just fall in line. You're the only one willing to fight back."
Adrian smirked faintly. "That's one way to look at it."
Annalise nudged him gently. "Just… don't waste the year, okay? If you're going to stand up to Dad, make sure it's worth it."
He nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Thanks, Anna."
She smiled back, then pushed off the railing. "Get some rest. You're going to need it."
As she left, Adrian remained on the balcony, the weight of the day's events pressing down on him. One year. It wasn't much time, but it was all he had. And he would make it count.