Chapter 30
Chapter 30
Emest had to admit, his wife made a good point.
These days, when young couples get married, isn’t it standard for the parents to buy them a new place? That’s just how things were done
now
So really, this was something his father owed him
If his father couldn’t pay it back, then having Caitlin do it wasn’t unreasonable at all.
“You’re right, Iliana,” Emest said, voice rising with conviction. “Dad, you owe us this! You raised me, so it’s your responsibility to take care of me now!
“Oh, wonderful!” Fortune let out a laugh, though his eyes flashed with anger. “You’re really something, Ernest. I’m still up on my feet and you’re already treating me like this–what’s going to happen when I’m old and helpless? Are you just going to turn your back on me completely p>
Iliana shot Fortune a sidelong glance, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “Don’t you have Caitlin? She’s about to start college, bound for great things. When you’re old and can’t look after yourself, your precious granddaughter will be there for you, won’t she p>
She went on, “Emest mamed into my family, remember? That means he’s got nothing to do with the Kensingtons anymore. If anyone’s going to care for parents, itll be mine, not yours p>
Miana had no intention of looking after Fortune in his old age. She’d kept her mouth shut before, hoping to benefit from Caitlin marrying into the Chandler family, but now that dream had evaporated. It was time to speak her mind.
Emest nodded in agreement. “Dad, you knew what you were agreeing to when I married into liana’s family. Once I did that, I became someone else’s son. It’s not right for you to expect me to look after you now. Besides, didn’t you raise Caitlin? Whoever you mised should be the one to care for you so why are you holding me responsible p>
Fortune felt a chill settle deep inside him. He’d always thought that, since his son had married into another family, Emest had little standing at home, so he’d rarely asked him for anything. Even when things got tough, he’d shouldered it alone.
Only now did he see the truth: Emest wasn’t lacking status–he was lacking a conscience.
It took Fortune a long moment to gather himself before he let out a weary sigh. For Caitlin’s sake, he decided to swallow his pride. “Ernest, I’ve never asked you for anything your whole life. Just this once, consider it a favor. No matter what’s happened, Caitlin helped you get your new house. Can’t you help her out in return? p>
He’d do anything if it meant Caitlin could go to college and have a future.
But Caitlin stepped forward before Emest could reply. “You don’t need to beg him, Grandpa. I take care of you when you’re old. I’ll get into Central Academy on my own, and 111 buy my own place. Let’s go home. “ X
Ernest and Iliana both let but cold, dismissive laughs.
Central Academy? Buy her own house? What a joke p>
Fortune turned to Emest, his voice trembling. “Emest! You really won’t help?
“Dad, I’m a Hadley now. I have nothing to do with the Kensingtons. It’s not that I don’t want to help–you’re simply not my responsibility anymore,” Emest replied, his tone icy.k
He knew perfectly well that both his father and Caitlin were bottomless pits; if he agreed to help this time, it would never end. He had to keep them at arm’s length
“Fine! Fine! Fine–so you’re a Hadley through and through” Fortune jabbed a finger at his son, shaking with anger. “Emest, I’m cutting all Dies. From now on, you’re no longer my son p>
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hat he was feeling. He’d never
Ernest froze, taken aback, He hadn’t expected his father to actually say it. For a moment, he couldn’t tell what been close with Fortune, but blood was still blood X
Even Cartlin seemed surprised. She glanced at Fortune, now an old man battered by life, frail but still standing tall and resolute, refusing to be bowed by the storm
ana, however, couldn’t hide her delight. With Caitlin’s future in shambles and the old man now completely worthless to them, she
wait to be rid of the dead weight, to keep him from dragging them down any further p>
“Perfect! Who cares? Emest having you as a father was never any use to us anyway,” Iliana sneered.
Heaning that, Emest finally felt sure of himself liana was right–having a father like Fortune brought nothing but trouble and extra. burdens Now the old man even wanted to forst Caitlin onto them. If he didn’t cut ties now, who knew if he’d even be able to keep his house in the future?
Better to end it decisively than let things fester.
With that thought, Emest stepped forward and looked Fortune squarely in the eye. “Since you’ve said it to clearly, there’s nothing left for me to say From this day on, I’m a Hadley in life and in death. When I’m gone, I won’t be listed in the Kensington family records. Let’s just
go our separate ways, for good p>
Fortune had thought, perhaps, his son would hesitate or try to take back his words. But clearly, Emest had wanted to cut him long time. This outcome suited him perfectly
This was the son he’d raised with such care–how pathetic. How laughable.
malt for a
Fortune’s legs nearly buckled. Caitlin stepped up to steady him, her gaze cold as she looked at Emest. “You’ll regret this, turning your back on Grandpa p>
Regret? Emest could hardly believe her arrogance.
He met her eyes with a mocking sneer.
Iliana shot Caitlin a dismissive look and said without restraint, “Regret? Don’t flatter yourself. Cutting ties with people like you is the best thing that’s happened to us. Who do you think you are? ”
Caitlin nodded calmly. Then let’s put it in writing–a formal agreement to sever all ties. That way, certain people can’t come crawling back to Grandpa when they need something.“8