Chapter 50: Kieran’s Last Hope

Chapter 50: Kieran’s Last Hope
Kieran’s POV

The quiet was like a thick blanket suffocatingly covering everything.  Breathing was difficult for me.  Every second Evelyn remained silent seemed like a terrible punishment.  Standing in front of her in her private office made me feel as though we were further apart than ever since the last time I saw her.

I wished this discussion would take a different course.  When I arrived, I understood there was no way to prepare for this. I had attempted to prepare for the worst.  I would have to face the reality.

Evelyn, please, I said, my voice hoarse from everything I had to say.  Just hear me out.

She did not respond immediately.  Her back straight and her eyes shut.  Standing at her desk opposite me, she folded her arms across her chest.  Her tone gave me away; she was attempting to conceal her rage.  The room's tension was palpable.

Kieran, you have chosen, she eventually said calmly.  I now have to decide.  There is no way to work things out.

I clenched my fists so tightly that my knuckles went white.  I am not present to speak.  Kindly pay attention.  Hear me, please.

Tightening her lips, she said nothing as though daring me to continue.  A deep breath helped me to relax.  This was my final opportunity to clarify matters for her and set things right.

Evelyn, I know I have done something wrong, but the words did not sound right.  I acted wrongly.  They are so numerous.  Still, I am trying to be good now.  I wish to correct matters.

"Make things right," she said again, her voice slightly higher.  Given all you have accomplished?  After all the falsehoods?  After what you let Serena do to my kid?

Her words caused me excruciating pain.  The guilt was like a sharp, agonising reminder of all the negative things I had allowed to occur.  Though my worries prevented me from recognising the reality, I knew what Serena was capable of.  I avoided her after Adrian lied to me since I believed everything would eventually turn out well.

But it did not pan out.  Adrian was suffering, and I failed him.  I had failed her.

I said to myself, "I did not know," but she could hear me.  I was unsure what Serena was doing.  I believed she was...  I assumed she was present to assist me.  But she was not being honest.  She was seizing charge of everything.

For a moment, Evelyn's eyes got soft, but she quickly made them tough again to hide any signs of weakness.   Putting her head to the side, she said.

I do not want to change the past.  I need to make something right now.  With Adrian.  All at once.  I cannot change what has already happened, but I can alter how I behave from now on.

Her eyes were still wet with tears as she shook her head. "You had a chance to take responsibility." Without your son, you picked Serena. Her lies were more appealing to you than the truth.

When she said that, I winced because I knew she was right. I had missed, ignored, and been unaffected by everything that mattered. I had been so focused on my own goals and wanting to keep Blackfang Enterprises that I had forgotten about the most important thing: my family. He was my son Adrian. My actual body. And the woman I trusted the most split him up.

My voice begged, "I did not pick her over Adrian." "I opted not to pick her. Although I was weak, Evelyn. Every day I feel bad about the choices I made because they were bad. I worked on it, but I could not figure out how to talk to you or make you understand.

Her eyes got narrow as she looked at me. "Now it is too late for that." What are you expecting me to do? Ignore everything? Leave aside the fact that you let Serena wreck everything.

I quickly told them, "Do not forget anything." Do not doubt my apology. Please believe that I will do everything possible to fix things. For Adrian and us, if you will let me.

A long pause happened. She did not say anything or move at all.  I could see the fight going on inside her, the storm of emotions she was doing everything she could to keep in check.  It was hard to get through the walls she had built around herself.  I had to try, though.  I only had one more chance.

"Please trust me," I whispered. I want you to believe in me and give me another chance to show you what I can do. In order to help Adrian. "For the sake of our family."

It was not funny, but she let out a short, mean laugh. "Trusted? Keiran, how can I believe in you? Why should I trust someone who ignored his son? Who can I trust when Serena was so good at controlling them?

The things she said hurt like knives, but I did not back down. Not able to. I had to stand firm if there was any chance at all, any chance to fix what was wrong.

"I was blind," I said again, hurting inside. "Now I get it." Unfortunately, Evelyn, I am no longer blind. I am not going to let Serena destroy everything. Please let me fight for you and Adrian.

Her eyes seemed to be looking for something as they looked at me for a long time. Whatever I had done to her or Adrian, I could feel it in her eyes. I was out of excuses. The only thing I had was my word and the hope that she would still trust me.

she said softly, breaking the silence. "Maybe I can not trust you again,"  "I am not sure I will ever be able to forgive what you did." But Adrian...he needs to know the truth. He needs a dad who will stand up for him.

There was a spark of hope in me. I am going to fight, Evelyn. No matter what, I will do it.

Her eyes became darker. The chance is yours, Kieran. Simply one. Are you trying to show that you are worthy? Then you need to defend Adrian as well as Blackfang Enterprises. Intended for your household. If you do not forgive me, I will never forgive you. That person also will not do it.

My chest hurt with fear. I agreed while forcing the lump in my throat down. "Yes, I will." Yes, Evelyn. There, I said it.

I thought it had been a long time since she had given me such a faint nod, but it was there. A small sign was all I needed to keep going. She was not going to leave me. I wasn’t going to lose Adrian. Avoid doing it again.

After getting ready to leave, Evelyn called my name as I headed for the door.

"Kieran."

I stopped, nervously putting my hand on the doorknob. Her eyes were on my back, but I did not turn around.

She whispered, "Do not make me feel bad about this."

So that was it, I left.

I could not shake the feeling that something else was coming as I walked down the hall, though. There is something bigger. I was not sure I would be ready for it.