Chapter 7
James' mind continued to race with different thoughts as he headed back home, trudging on the lit streets, bustling with activities. His mind swirling with endless questions he couldn't answer.
"He's my father. I was the one in his locket, but how is he that rich?" He mumbled, his shocked eyes rolling around. Disbelief crossed his mind and his chest tightening.
"And since he is, why don't I forgive him and take over everything as the heir? Shouldn't I be happy that I finally found my father after so many years? Why don't I go back to him rather than going to that annoying house to get insulted?" He asked himself, torn on what decision to take.
If he goes back to his father, his life will change for the better and if he heads back home, he'll continue to face humiliation from everyone. And he was tired of that.
Shaking his head, he decided, "I won't go back to him. If he claims to still love me, he'll definitely come for me as his son." James said, walking home.
At that same time, Thomas Crag paced up and down in the office after James left before finally deciding to settle down on a seat. A grin escaped at the sides of his mouth, happy that he finally found his long-lost son all grown up.
"Wow, I can't believe I saw him. My son." He grinned from ear to ear, "he's alive. Thank God, I met him. Fate has finally brought us back together after so many decades." He was over the moon.
"But who's living with? He's just 23 now but looks older than his age. Oh, my poor James, don't worry, your Daddy is now rich. He's coming to take you out of the ghetto."
He picked up his phone and dialed a number, "Hello, meet me in the office now! It's important." He abruptly hung up on the call, setting his phone back on the table, his smile escalating.
Meanwhile, James arrived home three hours later since he trekked as a result of no bucks on him. He had used up the $10 that Olivia had given him.
James tiredly held the doorknob and twisted it open, welcoming him to the living room where he saw almost all the family members watching TV except for Olivia, his wife who wasn't there with them.
Everyone immediately looked in his direction as they heard the creaking sound of the door.
"Look who's back? The loser." Amelia twisted her face in disgust as her eyes settled on James.
James heard it but ignored her. Instead, he greeted, "Good evening, Mom, Dad, and Grandma." His voice faintly.
Grandma Aurora instantly stopped him with her hand, her jaws clutching, "Keep that pathetic greeting to yourself." She stood up and walked to him, "Where are you coming back from? To see another lady behind my granddaughter's back?"
James flinched at the accusation, his jaw tightening. A bitter laugh escaped his lips, but it did little to mask the hurt in his eyes." "How can you say a thing like that?" He replied, his smile faked. "I love Olivia with all my heart and you know I can't cheat on her."
Bang! Grandma Aurora gave him a resounding slap. "How dare you confess that pathetic love for my granddaughter in front of me? Have you no respect?" She yelled. "How many times will I tell you to keep that foolish confession to yourself? Are you deaf to that?" She added, furious.
Her hatred towards James was just on another level. Aurora continued, pointing a finger at him, "Olivia doesn't love, and you should live her life for good. You have nothing to offer as a man. Miserable orphan." She spat with contempt.
William stood up and joined in, "Tell us, did you secure the job or not?" He pulled James' downcast face up.
His face was still burning from the hot slap from this wicked woman—Aurora.
James only looked at him, unable to say a word. "Can't you talk?" William continued angrily, "you better speak up now! You can't continue to be living off my daughter's sweat all your entire life."
James had been silent, listening to all their abusive words on him. But he couldn't take it anymore from them, and he shouted furiously, "I don't get it. I was kicked out, satisfied?" His response sounded rude.
Everyone chuckled upon hearing that. Caleb then moved forward, his physique looking scary, "It's funny, very funny of how you think any company can think of employing a pathetic person like you." He mocked.
"And what if they do?!" James gave him no chance to mock him. Caleb's smile quickly disappeared as it came, his hands instantly twisted into fists, ready to strike James even though he was his elder sister's husband.
Caleb knew that even if he harmed him, Olivia, his sister would still support him instead of standing up for her good-for-nothing husband.
"How dare you talk back to me?!" He shouted, and Amelia chirped in from behind, "Teach him a lesson, Caleb." She added, wanting Caleb to beat James mercilessly.
Just when Caleb was about to strike his already balled hand to James' face, Evelyn intervened, her voice filled with power, "Caleb, stop! What do you think you're doing? " She said, moving forward.
Caleb's balled fist hung in the air, his demeanor got darker as he stared at his mother with annoyance. He slowly brought down his hand with clutched lips.
"Where are your manners again, Caleb?" Evelyn asked, frowning her face at Caleb, but Caleb remained quiet.
William wanted to interfere but Evelyn gave him a stopping hand, "Please, William," she said, shifting her gaze back to Caleb, her eyes flashing with disbelief and annoyance.
"You want to hit your elder sister's husband just because you have an intimidating body?" She asked, "don't you know you're indirectly hitting your sister by laying your filthy hand on her husband?"
"James is never Olivia's husband and can never be." Aurora interrupted, scorning. However, Evelyn ignored her and continued after sighing, "Whether you like James or not, he remains your sister's husband, and you dare not, whether I'm around or not, try never to raise your hand on him ever again. Understood?"
Caleb hesitated before nodding his head and looking away. Satisfied, Evelyn then focused on James, concerned etched on her face, "I'm sorry for the harsh slap and words," she began, taking in the pain James was going through at that moment.
But Aurora, William, Caleb, and Amelia stood by the side, glaring at James disdainfully. "I don't know why Mom keeps defending him. Just a wretched man not worthy of my sister. I just hate him." Amelia said inside of her.
"I believe you must be very tired; please, go upstairs, freshen up, and come downstairs to have your dinner. I already dished it out." She added, her voice lovely and comforting.
James looked at her, pleased, "Thank you, Mom." He appreciated, slowly glancing at everyone who gave him a deadly stare in return. With a deep sigh, James walked away leaving everyone to stare at his back.
Grandma Aurora shrugged her shoulders in disgust while staring at James, "Such a wretched shameless man deserving no form of pity. Just look at how he's walking. Poverty has taken a better place in his life."
As James walked, he heard Grandma Aurora's last words but he didn't turn back. Something then crossed his mind—his fa
ther.
"I can't continue to bear all these insults every day. I'll have to get back to my Dad, and everything will be fixed, and they will all regret it." He mumbled to himself.