“You heard me,” I speak in my deepest, lowest tone. “You burnt that factory down, knowing Ethan would retaliate by harming your most precious things. But you know what? That’s not why Alicia died. She died because she was trapped in this world when her soul lived elsewhere. All she needed was you and me to root her here. You knew her needs, but you barely spared her your time. Your hunger for power and your ambition came first, and we were an afterthought.”
“I did all of that for you.” He grits out. “I built King Enterprises for our family.”
“Alicia never needed the power or the name, she needed you and you let her down. You killed her slowly, Jonathan. So excuse me if I don’t believe in your useless revenge plot. You should’ve protected her while she was alive.” I brush past him to grab my clothes. “I won’t repeat your mistake.”
Jonathan says nothing. He just turns around and leaves.
The door clicks loud behind him.
Hear that, Alicia? That’s Jonathan finally feeling pain. You should rest in peace now.
I know she won’t. Her sad expression comes to mind. Her pale cheeks and the constant tears in her eyes.
She hated it when Jonathan was stressed or in pain. She loved the loser more than he ever deserved, and he reciprocated too late.
I won’t be my father.
After dressing up, I dial Nash. He picks up after the first ring.
“Are you ready?” I ask.
“Always.”
“Are Knight and Astor there?”
“Knight, yes. Astor is too high to move.”
Of course. And then he bitches about how we always keep him out.
“King?”
“Yes?”
“Let’s leave Adam some hope.”
“Why?”
“I want him to think he’s safe before we destroy him all over again.”
I smirk. I like that idea. “Deal. And Nash?”
“Yes?”
“It’s over with Queens, you petty, little bitch.”
“Fuck you.”
I smile while hanging up.
Time to take care of some overdue business.
21
Elsa
The energy in RES is volatile, to say the least.
It’s been a long time since I walked down the hall and had everyone watch me this closely. Like I’m an animal on display.