“Happy birthday,
Saraya. I got you cake for breakfast, since it's your last day and
all... don't tell your father.”
“Thanks. Where is he,
anyway?”
“He had to go to
work.”
“On a Saturday?”
“Apparently. You know
how he is.”
“Yeah.”
“So...how were the
exams?”
“I did well. We all
did really, except one person. Look, you don't have to act like
everything's normal. We've never exactly had a normal relationship.”
“I know that. But I
am glad we were getting along... I never managed that with your
sister. And anyway, I'll miss you.”
“No, you'll miss my
cooking, cleaning and childcare skills. I don't wish to be rude, and
I'm thankful for the gesture, but I'll be happy to go.”
“Of course. Okay,
forget about me then: the kids will miss you. Tristan was crying
about it last night, but he'd never admit it. Don't be a stranger to
them.”
“I won't. You can
count on that.”
Meanwhile...
“What the hell do you
want? Go away. You're not wanted here.”
“I don't particularly
care what you want, Edward. I'm coming inside. Where can we chat?”
“Oh, a social call,
is it? Let's just talk about the weather, or your new career move, or
the fact that you let Miles Atwood butcher my face and then you
bankrupted me!”
“Still bitter about
that, I see.”
“Did you really
expect any different?”
“No, but this isn't
about your face or hurt feelings. This is the living room?”
“Make it quick, and
is that a bloody baby you've brought with you?”
“Yes. I'll make it
quick, then. You always wanted to be a father, yes?”
“...yes? I may as
well be one already. I'm far more of one to Ellis and Aria than you
ever were.”
“I'm going to stop
you there, because are you really under the impression that I give a
damn about those two rejects? Such optimism.”
“Oh, shut up. You
aren't worthy of them. They're damn good kids, and you treated them
horribly. So where did this one come from?”
“It's mine.”
“Really. So even poor
Roxxi isn't good enough for you?”
“I see no problem in
having some fun on the job. Except this time, it has
had...consequences.”
“I have no sympathy.
If you're not even smart enough to use protection when shagging some
secretary at work, you deserve all you get. Where is the mother?”
“You don't want to
know.”
“Oh, Christ, no... Why are
you bringing me into this?”
“Consider it an act
of kindness on my part.”
“You were at the back
of the queue when kindness was given out. You want me to have
this baby?”
“Yes, because even I
wouldn't harm a baby.”
“No, you just wait until they're old enough to understand the word 'worthless'.”
“Your whining is
getting pitiful, Edward. The fact of the matter is that she
threatened to ruin me, so I did what I had to do to protect myself. I
realise now that that would have been a lot better nine months ago,
but never mind. It would be far too suspicious to go to an adoption
centre, and you are my brother. If the child looks like me, it could
still pass as yours.”
“I have no wife or
girlfriend.”
“Then invent one. I
don't care. Just as long as no-one finds out where it really came
from.”
“It, Tate? Do you
even know the name? The gender?”
“No, and I don't
intend to.”
“How am I going to
explain this to the others?”
“As long as that
green abomination doesn't say anything to my children, I have no
problem with them knowing. They won't do anything about it. They know
full well that people who defy my wishes often find themselves having
unfortunate accidents. Even Olivia, although strangely that was not
my doing. Still, you benefited enough from that one. If you were to
tell my wife of this child, well, Ellis would be a good bet. It'd
certainly be payback to Aria for the grief she's caused over the
years. And it's all too fun to see you cry like the pathetic wimp
that you are.”
“You fucking
bastard.”
“No, this baby is the
bastard, but it's your bastard now, and I shall have no further part
in this matter. Are we agreed?”
“Fine. It'll be far
happier with me anyway. Any child I can save from you is a win in my
book. I have nothing but sympathy for the one Roxxi is carrying right
now.”
“Excellent. You are
useful after all. I'll just let myself out, then. Goodbye, Edward.”
“Go to hell, Tate.”
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