Chapter 29 Disowned
When Lucas arrived at Nathan’s apartment, Nathan welcomed him with open arms. But he had a concerned look on his face.
“Man, what the heck are you blabbing about marriage? You sounded tense on the phone,” Nathan asked, ushering him inside.
“What was he even thinking, arranging a marriage for you, at your age and in this millennium?”
Lucas dropped his bag near the door and sighed. “Long story. Let’s just say I’ve finally had it with my
dad’s manipulative stunts.”
Nathan handed him a glass of water and motioned for him to sit. “You okay, though?”
“I will be. I’m just tired of being his puppet. I need some space to breathe and think clearly for once.”
Nathan nodded with understanding. “You’re always welcome here. Crash as long as you need.”
“Thanks Nat,” Lucas replied sincerely.
Luckily, he had a small bag with a few changes of clothes, but he knew he would need more soon. “I’ll swing by the house next week when he’s at the office. I’m not ready for any face-off yet—not until he comes to the understanding that I'm not a kid anymore, at least.”
They were still talking when Lucas’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, it was Anna, his assistant.
He answered quickly. “Yes, Anna? I told you to pause anything you can’t handle and not to call unless it’s urgent.”
Her voice came through, strained. “I know, sir, and I’m really sorry, but… your dad dragged me to the office this morning. In fact, he forced almost everyone to work. Then he introduced a new senior accountant and announced that you’ve been relieved of your duties—effective immediately.”
Lucas shot to his feet. “What? He kicked me out of the company?!”
“Yes, sir,” she said, almost in a whisper. “It was humiliating. No warning, no explanation. I—I don’t like this, Mr. Lucas. None of us do.”
Lucas’s jaw clenched. His father had crossed the line again. This wasn’t just control anymore—this was wickedness.
“Listen, Anna,” Lucas said, forcing his voice to be calm enough, “Don’t worry about me. Just keep doing your job. I’m fine.”
But the moment he ended the call, his composure cracked.
He dropped the phone onto the table with a sharp thud, ran both hands through his hair, and let out a breath between clenched teeth. Anger boiled just beneath the surface, so hot and suffocating. He paced the room, back and forth, his steps growing faster with each turn.
Nathan sat watching him from the couch, shaking his head in disbelief. “Lucas,” he finally said, rising to his feet, “you need to calm down, man.”
But that only lit the fuse.
“Calm down?!” Lucas snapped, spinning around to face him. “He froze my accounts. He hijacked the company I helped build. And now he’s kicked me out like I’m some intern on probation!”
Nathan raised his hands in a peace gesture. “I know. I get it. It’s messed up—beyond messed up. But blowing up won’t fix it.”
Lucas’s chest heaved. He pressed his palms to his forehead and growled low in his throat. “He’s always done this. Controlled everything. Every step I take has to be his idea or it’s war. Well, it's fine. This time, I'm done. I'm done being his son. Throwing me out means he disowned me. So I'm on my own now and he has no son anymore. I disowned him too.”
Nathan stepped closer, placing a steady hand on his shoulder.
“Come on Luc, it hasn't gotten to that. Your old man is just angry that he lost. Once he realizes his mistake, he will come around.” Nathan tried to calm him more but he knew within him that Lucas was pissed already.
“You don't know him. A man who was capable of spiking my drink and purposely left me at the mercy of a paid escort to disvirgin me.”
“What?” Nathan slipped in shock. “What the heck was he thinking?”
“Well, that's my father for you. He believes he was doing me a favour because, to him, that will make me a complete man.” Lucas’s fury kept boiling. “So tell me, is such a man even worth calling anyone's father? Really, I'm done, Nat. I will start afresh.”
He went over and settled into a seat. Nathan followed, “Damn, this is not fair but you're a strong guy. Look at me, I'm surviving without my parents. I was never born with a silver spoon but I've landed my dream job. So you can do this, okay.”
Lucas nodded slowly, eyes hard with resolve. “You’re right. No more reacting. I’m taking control of my life, starting now.”
“I need to update my CV and start applying for jobs,” Lucas said, fire still in his voice but now laced with determination.
“Yeah,” Nathan nodded firmly, “that’s the spirit.”
Without wasting another second, Lucas grabbed his phone and called Emily. She picked up immediately. “Lucas! Are you okay? Anna told me what—”
“I’m fine,” he cut in sharply. “But listen, I need you to go into my room. I left a copy of my new CV on my—”
“Dad locked your room,” she interrupted, her voice tight. “And he took the key with him when he left.”
Lucas let out a bitter, disbelieving laugh. “Oh, brilliant. He locked my fking room too? Nat, can you believe this?” He turned to Nathan, shaking his head. “He froze my accounts, removed me from the company, and now he’s locking me out of my own damn room like I’m a rebellious teenager.”
Then his voice dropped, hardening. “Do you know he even froze Emily’s account? Just because he thinks she helped me disappear before the wedding. Who does that to his own kids?”
Nathan stood still, shocked. “What kind of man is your father?”
Lucas scoffed. “A tyrant with a god complex.”
He brought the phone back to his ear. “Listen, Em, don’t stress over me. I’ll create a new CV from scratch. I’ll get a job on my own. Just focus on yourself.”
“I still feel bad, Lucas. If you need any money, I’ll talk to Diana, okay?”
Lucas smiled faintly, his tone softening. “Nah, no need. If I’m desperate, I’ll hit up Nathan. He’s got a rich boyfriend now, so I know he’s rolling in sugar daddy cash.”
Nathan chuckled, throwing a pillow at him. “Idiot.”
Emily laughed on the other end. “Alright, big bro. Just don’t disappear on me again.”
“Promise. I’ve got this now.”
“Alright, big bro,” Emily said warmly, “take care—and tell Nathan I’m really grateful.”
“Will do,” Lucas replied before ending the call. He set the phone down and turned to Nathan. “Emily says thanks for helping her big bro.”
Nathan waved it off casually. “It’s nothing, man. Seriously. Just tell me how much you need—I’ve got you.”
“But what about your big guy?” Lucas teased, smirking. “Hope he is not angry anymore?”
Nathan’s expression shifted. “Actually… we broke up.”
Lucas blinked. “Wait, what? Seriously?”
“Yeah,” Nathan sighed, his tone resigned.
Lucas frowned. “But why? That drama with your ex wasn’t that deep. That man had no reason to dump you over it.”
“You would think…,” Nathan muttered. “But it wasn’t really about the ex-stuff. He has been looking for someone.”
Lucas raised an eyebrow. “Someone?”
Nathan nodded. “Yeah. Some old friend who saved his life years ago. Said the guy just vanished afterward, and only then did he realize he had fallen in love with him. He couldn’t forget him. If you ask me, I will say he is obsessed with him.”
Lucas leaned in, intrigued now. “What kind of guy is this mystery savior?”
Nathan’s eyes narrowed, almost sad. “He described him once… slim build, curly brown hair, deep blue eyes.” Nathan paused—then turned sharply, eyes locking onto Lucas. “Kind of like… you.”
Lucas’s smile froze. “Me?”
The tension in the room thickened in an instant.