The choice is unfortunately clear. My shoulders shake as I dial my mother’s number.
“Hey, Mom,” I say thickly when she picks up.
“What happened?” she asks.
“Do you have to ask?” I ask rhetorically. “Dad happened, of course. He wanted me to abort the child.”
“What?” my mother yelps. “He what?”
“I convinced him to let me keep it,” I assured her. “Even if he said no, I would have just pretended, so it wouldn’t have mattered. But…he wants me to break up with Lyle.”
“I was afraid of that, honey,” she sighs. “I hope you told him where he could shove his ultimatums.”
“I wanted to,” I say bitterly. “But he’s got something that could potentially ruin Lyle’s company. He says he’ll bring Lyle and Energy Plus Co. down if I don’t break up with him. I don’t know whether or not to believe him. But he sounds very serious.”
My mother goes quiet.
“Mom?” I ask.
“…I think you need to believe him,” she replies reluctantly. “Your father… He’s got a few terrible tricks up his sleeve. He isn’t above blackmail and threats. I’ve seen him bring many fledgling companies to the ground with nothing but a few words to the right people. I wouldn’t test him, if I were you.”
I swallowed. Part of me had hoped my mother would do something. But it seems that even this, last, refuge has finally failed. My mother has known my father for a very long time. If she thinks he’s serious and capable of following through on his threats, then I need to believe her.
“Right,” I say quietly. “I understand. Thanks, Mom. I…I need to call Lyle.”
I hang up before she can reply. I don’t want to hear anything else. Any platitudes would be false and ridiculous.
I take in a deep breath and dial Lyle’s number.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Lyle
As far as I’m concerned, things are going perfectly well.
Amanda and I have cleared the air.
We’re back together.
And we’re having a baby.
I still can’t quite wrap my mind around that one, if I’m honest. I flop down on my large bed. A huge grin spread across my face, and I can’t get rid of it. Nor do I want to. I feel amazing.
I’m going to be a father.
If I’m even half the man my father was, I’ll be good with the kid. I’m not too worried about being a good role model. I learned from the best, after all. My parents taught me everything I needed to know before they passed away; they showed me courage, humility and strength in different forms. It’s thanks to them that I can be so successful with the company that they left behind for me to deal with.
I look over at my desk. Photo frames are littering it. Many of them are of me and my parents; some are from my childhood, others from when I was a teenager, and, the last ones, taken only months before the crash that took their lives. There’s a couple of new photos there, though; a snapshot that Amanda and I had taken at the zoo, and a beautiful shot that I had captured of Amanda looking into the sunset, a peaceful look on her face. It excites me to think that my own family photos will soon join those of my parents and I.
“A family,” I breathe.
I close my eyes and smile. It’s a nice thought. I’ve been without family for a very long time. Navigating this world on my own has been terrifying and lonely. Now, though, with Amanda and the unborn child at my side, I know things will be a lot better for all of us.
As if my thoughts summoned her, my phone rings and I look down to see that the caller is Amanda. Concerned, I sit up. Amanda had said that she was going to speak to her father about us today. She was worried about it causing problems with the deal. I really hope that won’t be the case; I want the collaboration with Tech Square Inc. more than anything. We’re so close to achieving it, too.
“Hey,” I say, picking up the phone.
A sob greets me.