Chapter 72

Nathan’s POV

I leaned back in the high-backed leather chair, surveying every face around the conference table. The core members of the Sullivan family were all present, including William, Derek, and Michael, as well as the Donovan family's Sean and Kevin. They were all waiting for my decision. Sometimes, the sense of power suffocated me.

"So it's settled then, we'll deal with Antonio in a week." My voice echoed in the quiet conference room.

Silence lingered for a few seconds until a voice broke it. Adam Parker—Victoria's father—sat in a corner, his eyes lowered. I noticed the calluses on his hands, marks left from years of working on construction sites.

"The enemy's father is among us, how can we sit here and plan an attack?" Kevin spoke sharply, his gaze fixed on Adam.

I looked at Derek, who sat at the other end of the table, his face showing a hint of embarrassment. If the truth came out—if they found out Derek and Victoria had betrayed us together—I wasn't sure how the family would treat him. As the tension escalated, I instinctively looked to my grandfather and father for help, but they just leaned back in their chairs, their expressions calm.

At that moment, reality hit me: from now on, I was the boss.

Unexpectedly, William stood up, his tall figure casting a shadow. "Enough, Kevin. I understand your anger, but Adam has already suffered enough for his daughter's betrayal. Now we face a common enemy and must rely on each other."

Kevin reluctantly nodded, slightly easing the atmosphere.

"Thank you." I whispered to William. Once again, my brother saved me. Despite our complicated relationship, he chose to stand by my side in a crucial moment.

"There's one more thing I want to discuss." I announced, my eyes fixed on the patterns on the conference table. This was something I had promised, and I intended to keep that promise. In a way, I saw it as a way to atone for my sins. Perhaps if I kept my promise, she would forgive me.

"Joseph and Christopher Moretti—and all the men who decided to surrender... we let them go."

As the words left my mouth, the room erupted into murmurs. Kevin stood up, his face red with anger. "Nathan, you can't do that! What if they decide to retaliate suddenly, can you bear the consequences? This isn't for you to decide."

I was about to respond, but Michael spoke up first. "He can, he has the final say."

"Thank you for your input, but this involves my sister and my niece's lives, and Lily is a Donovan." Kevin argued.

Michael leaned forward, his voice firm. "Lily will become a Sullivan, the child is a Sullivan—Nathan is a Sullivan, so guess what? He has the final say."

I couldn't help but smile. "Thank you, Michael." I knew letting them go was a huge risk, but I didn't see that intelligent ten-year-old boy as a threat. As for Joseph, I realized he might resent me, even threaten Lily and the baby—but I didn't want to harm him. In another life, we could have been friends.

"Richard, what do you think about this?" Sean asked, breaking the deadlock.

My father cleared his throat. "Nathan has the final say." His voice was hoarse and tired, but still authoritative. Then he paused for a moment, adding, "One more thing. After we deal with Antonio, I will officially retire—I will hand over everything to Nathan."

This announcement shocked everyone, even me. I hadn't expected him to share this news at this moment.

"Suddenly?" Sean asked, suspicion flickering in his eyes. Clearly, something had happened. Less than a year ago, Richard had told Sean he wanted me to be the heir for as long as possible.

"Yes, suddenly." My father replied, his tone unyielding. "I have full trust in my son, so I hope all of you do too—discussion over."

After the meeting, most people began to leave one by one. William walked over, patting my back. "Well done, little brother." Then he too left the room.

Finally, only Richard and I remained. He sighed deeply. "So it's official now, this is what you wanted, right?"

I lowered my head. "Dad..."

"I know you thought I might change my mind and give everything to William, but you need to understand... your brother wants to support you." His tone was gentle, almost wistful.

I looked up at my father, unsure of what to say. I found it hard to believe that William's intentions were genuine, but I didn't want to trouble my father, so I just went along with it. "Yes, I understand."

"You've done well, I'm truly proud of you." He continued, "You've become calmer, more polite, and slowly back to yourself, an upgraded version of yourself—I like this side of you."

His words warmed me, but they were followed by a pang of guilt.

"The only downside is that you had to deceive Lily to get yourself together." My father commented, his eyes fixed on me, as if searching for a reaction.

"I don't want to talk about it." I immediately responded, taking a step back. Betraying Lily still hurt me, and I just wanted to get it out of my system and tell her the truth. But the more I hid it—the more I began to realize that what she didn't know wouldn't hurt her.

"After all of this is over, you will eventually tell her... right?" He asked, with a strange sense of urgency in his voice.

I nodded, lying to my father. He didn't need to know that I had decided never to reveal the truth. I felt awful, but I had changed my mind and decided not to be honest. My relationship with Lily was closer than ever—I wasn't going to break it for a girl I would never see again.

"I've been thinking," my father suddenly changed the subject, "you need someone by your side—someone to advise you... I've decided you need a personal assistant."

I laughed in disbelief. "What?" I purposely ignored the part where my father said he wouldn't be around for long. I didn't want to think about that possibility.

"I'm considering a female assistant," he continued, a slight smirk on his lips, "what, are you afraid you won't be able to control yourself?"

The joke felt like a stab to my heart.

"No, I'm telling you to stop looking—I don't need a personal assistant." I said firmly.

"It's too late, I've already arranged a few interviews." He shrugged, as if it didn't matter.

"We're on the brink of war, and you're looking for a personal assistant... do you really think it's necessary now?" I asked, frustration evident in my voice.

"I don't know how long I'll be here, so yes—it's necessary." His words hit me like a heavy hammer.

I observed my father carefully. He had lost weight, but not enough for anyone to notice he was sick. His health had been declining over the past few weeks, but Richard remained optimistic.

"Are you going to tell Mom? Ashley? Megan? Anyone?" I asked, almost pleading.

"I'll tell them when I have to," he simply replied, then left, leaving me alone in the empty conference room.

Returning home that evening, I felt a wave of nausea. I couldn't understand how my father could remain positive when his life was threatened. Martha had moved out, and I began to realize how much I missed Lily's presence.

The silence in the apartment weighed heavily on me. I used to enjoy being alone, but now, it felt like a punishment. I still couldn't fathom how I had found someone like Lily and yet had the courage to betray her.

I turned to the liquor cabinet, the golden liquid shimmering in the light, as if inviting me. But I quickly closed my eyes and turned away. "I can't solve problems with alcohol," I told myself. "It all started with that."

The intercom suddenly buzzed, interrupting my thoughts. "Sir, Victoria Parker would like to see you."

I recognized the voice of the guard—the one who had once delivered gifts to Lily. I shook my head with a bitter smile. "We're letting the enemy in now? Let her in." Then muttered to myself, "He never learns, neither does she."