Chapter 158

Chapter 158

John was a former military man himself — pushing eighty, but with all the fire still in him.

Even so, standing at the door of Everard's apartment, he felt something rare: hesitation. Especially when Rebecca swung open the door on her way out. He almost regretted showing up unannounced.

But then he thought of Ellen at home, crying herself half blind over Everard's situation. No matter how awkward this visit got, he had to come in person.

Rebecca and Everard had barely just gotten back to Emerald City. She honestly hadn't expected John to show up this fast.

"Why are you standing there like that? Aren't you going to invite me in?"

John's voice was deep and commanding. Rebecca startled and quickly stepped aside to let him in, then hurried to bring him coffee.

"Mr. John Whitaker, please have some coffee."

John picked up the cup, gave it a brief, flat look, and set it back down on the coffee table.

"You can't even make a decent cup of coffee."

Rebecca blinked. Was he here just to pick on her? Then John continued,

"When you brew coffee, the water can't be too hot. Otherwise it scorches the beans and makes it bitter."

Rebecca's brow furrowed slightly. That familiar feeling was back — the feeling of someone finding fault with everything she did.

Even back with the Spencer family, no one had been this nitpicky.

John glanced at her, catching every trace of irritation and defiance on her face. He gripped his cane with both hands and tapped it against the floor, not hard, but deliberate.

"I really don't know what Everard sees in you."

His eyes drifted forward, a little distant. The silver in his hair did nothing to make him look frail or faded. His straight back said everything — still tough, still stubborn, still going strong.

He looked full of energy. But his body told a different story.

Both his knees had taken bullets. The fragments had fused with the tissue, and by the time they were removed, the damage was done.

Everard's words seemed to circle back to her then.

They are people who hold themselves to a very high standard. And because of that, they expect the same from the people their children choose.

"I know you're Gavin's daughter. In terms of family background, we don't really have grounds to object. But you've been all over the headlines in Emerald City, and that whole situation with the Spencer family — from the outside, it still looks murky."

"You're young, and you're genuinely talented. If you'd put that sharp mind of yours to better use, we wouldn't be in this position right now."

John had settled comfortably into the role of disapproving elder. And even Rebecca, who prided herself on respecting her elders, was finding it hard to stay quiet.

"Mr. John Whitaker, did you come here to see Everard, or to see me? If it's Everard, I can call him and see if he can leave work early. But if it's me you're here for, I'd appreciate it if you just said what you came to say."

John narrowed his eyes.

"Sharp tongue on you."

"So you are here for me."

Rebecca had already figured that much out. She let out a quiet laugh, moved to the seat beside him, and met his gaze without flinching.

"Mr. John Whitaker, you're here to ask me to divorce Everard, aren't you?"

"And if I did ask — would you listen?"

"No."

"So you don't care that Everard gave up medicine for you. That he's been putting up with everyone's judgment because of you. That he's cut himself off from his family because of you. Do you know what he said that day? That he would never set foot in the Whitaker house again."

Rebecca's eyes dropped slightly.

"I know. But you're the one who forced him to choose."

"Mr. John Whitaker, why are you so against Everard and me being together?" Rebecca looked up at him. "If it's because we got married without telling anyone, then we apologize — we should have handled that better. But I don't think that's really what's bothering you."

"The fact that I've been married before, that I have a child, the rumors that came out of that last marriage, and whatever assumptions you've already made about me — that's what this is actually about, isn't it?"

She said it with an edge.

"Does having been married before, having a child, mean I'm somehow worth less the second time around?"

"I never said that."

John cleared his throat.

"But that's what you think."

"You're Everard's grandfather, and I don't want to be disrespectful. But I do hope you'll respect Everard — and respect me. I've been through a lot, and I still love my life and I'm not afraid to start over. That counts for something."

"I don't think less of myself, and I don't believe a failed marriage means a failed life. If anything, Everard understands that better than you do."

"You're welcome to blame me for whatever frustration you're feeling. That's your choice. But I won't let it make me doubt myself, and I won't let your disapproval make me walk away from what Everard and I have."

John's expression darkened. His fist tightened.

"For twenty-eight years, he's always known his own mind. But no matter how strong-willed he was, he never disrespected his family like this." John took a slow breath.

"If you really want to be with Everard, then agree to three conditions."

"Mr. John Whitaker, if it means earning your blessing, I'll do everything I can. But being with Everard is a decision we've already made. It's not something that depends on your conditions."

"Why do you have to be so combative!"

John's brow pulled tight.

"First — just because you already have a child doesn't mean you get to deny Everard one of his own."

"Second — now that you're married, divorce is not an option. If you ever do divorce, you walk away with nothing from the Whitaker family."

"Third — I hear you're competing in a piano competition. Win it. Show the Whitaker family that you're the kind of woman worth choosing."

Rebecca went quiet.

"Well? Which one can't you agree to?"

"Of those three, the only one I can commit to is the second."

The words had barely left her mouth before John's face went dark.

"What do you mean by that? You're not planning to have children with Everard?"

John knew exactly what mattered most to the old man. She explained, "It's not that I don't want to. But you know I have Oliver. Having another child with Everard — I'd need to respect how Oliver feels about it. If he doesn't want a younger sibling, I can't just ignore that."

"Rebecca! That's absurd! Have you even talked to Everard about any of this?!"

John pushed himself to his feet, eyes wide.

"Are you hiding this from him?"

"Everard and I haven't discussed it yet. But I trust that he'll respect both me and Oliver."

John looked unsteady on his feet when he heard that. Rebecca's brow creased slightly.

"Did you come alone? If you have a driver or someone with you, I can go get them for you."

The last thing she needed was for John to collapse in her apartment.

"Don't bother!"