3 - The Family Legacy

Cyrus and and his mother Mrs Louise Walker sat across from each other in his office, the tension between them palpable.

“We've discussed this before. Elora needs time to recover before we push this responsibility on her.”

“Time is a luxury we don't have, Cyrus. The more we wait, the more precarious our situation. We may have Senior’s favor, but holding off on handing things to Nathan is as far as it gets,” Louise says sternly.

Cyrus lost his father when he was young, but his mother Louise Walker raised him singlehandedly. She was a strong and formidable woman who would do anything for her son. Her father-in-law had always loved and favored Cyrus over his other grandson Nathan because Cyrus was more capable and responsible.

Cyrus just like his parents grew up to be a shrewd businessman, a trait that helped him build his own billion-dollar empire. Louise had taken over the family business as President after her husband's death, now her father-in-law wanted to hand it over to younger blood, one of his grandsons, and Louise was determined to have her son inherit the company that she and her husband helped to build.

“We've already come a long way, Cyrus. You got married to that woman for this same reason. If your grandfather wants you to give him a great-grandchild to dote on– a successor to ensure the continuance of the Walker legacy then you will give it to him.”

“We've come too far to let everything come to ruins in the hands of your irresponsible cousin.”

Cyrus's hands clenched on his desk as his frustration simmered. He was having a bad day already after what happened with Elora some days back– her rejection. It still stung to think of it.

“This isn't just about the company. It's about Elora's well-being.”

Louise raised an eyebrow. "And what about the family's well-being? The legacy you're supposed to protect?" she asked in an annoyed tone.

Cyrus sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know my responsibilities. But pressuring Elora isn't the solution."

Louise's tone hardened. "We need an heir. It's non-negotiable.”

Cyrus's voice remained calm, though determination flickered in his eyes.

"She will remember in her own time. I won't rush her into something she's not ready for."

Louise leaned forward, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "You're risking everything—the family's legacy, the company's stability—because of sentimentality.”

Cyrus met her gaze squarely. "I refuse to sacrifice her well-being for the sake of an old man's whims."

Louise's eyes narrowed. "That old man's whims is what built this family, this empire. Don't forget that,” Louise seethed angrily.

The door swung open with a forceful push, and Nathan strode in with an air of arrogance. Hot on his heels was Cyrus's assistant an anxious and scared look on her face.

“I'm so sorry sir, he forced his way in,” she says eyeing a smug-looking Nathan.

“It's okay Lia, you may leave,” Cyrus dismisses her, not looking away from his irritating cousin.

“Well, well, what do we have here? The esteemed family council deep in discussion without me?” Nathan says with a smirk playing on his lips.

Cyrus cussed under his breath at having to deal with his mother and his cousin whom he hated. He and Nathan had never gotten along and were currently vying for the control of the family business, on the condition of having an heir. Cyrus's jaw tensed, his dislike for Nathan barely concealed.

“What are you doing in my office, Nathan? This is a private conversation.”

“Private?” Nathan feigned ignorance but his eyes twinkled with mischief.

“How Intriguing.”

Nathan plopped down on a chair and crossed his legs, regarding mother and son with mischievous casual abandon. If he was being honest, he loathed Cyrus and everything he stood for. Thinking of the favor and preferential treatment he got from their grandfather made his blood boil from the inside, but he kept his calm and his smile in place, not giving anything away.

Louise regarded Nathan with thinly veiled disdain. She could always see why her father-in-law favored Cyrus over Nathan. Hell would freeze over before she would let him run everything into the ground.

"What do you want, Nathan? We're in the middle of something important,” she asks in an impatient tone.

"Oh, I just wanted to see what brilliant strategies our family genius is concocting this time, " Nathan says shrugging with a mischievous smile.

"We're discussing matters that don't concern you, Nathan,” Cyrus says in a level voice, his expression neutral.

Nathan chuckled, the sound grating on Cyrus's nerves. "Ah, but they do concern me, dear cousin. Anything related to the family business is of interest to me.”

Cyrus's temper was beginning to be aroused by Nathan's presence and it manifested in his sharp tone.

“You really want to take over the business even though you know nothing about it?”

Nathan shrugged nonchalantly. “Who wouldn't? Besides I'm also a Walker, and I have all the rights just as you. Plus I would be in a better position to take the reins of leadership, given that I have no family problems like… a sick wife?” he says with a malicious smirk.

Cyrus saw red and was about to get up from his seat when Louise held him back.

“Leave this place at once,” Louise says calmly in a voice that dripped with disdain.

“Not so fast Aunt, I'm yet to give you the good news that brought me here today,” Nathan says with a self-assured grin, his eyes gleaming with arrogance.

Louise raised an eyebrow, her patience wearing thin. "And what news would that be Nathan."

“I'll soon be able to fulfill the condition of having an heir, Aunt Louise. Cora is pregnant. Seems like I'm one step ahead in securing my position.”

Louise's figure tenses, and her gaze hardens. She is fuming at the news but she maintains her calm composure.

Cyrus maintained his composure, though a flicker of concern crossed his features. He never expected Nathan to get ahead of him.

"Congratulations, Nathan. However, family matters require more than just meeting conditions.”

Nathan waved off Cyrus's words dismissively. "Oh, don't worry, Cyrus. I understand the importance of family values. But sometimes, ambition and reality must align."

Louise's gaze hardened, her tone stern. "Ambition should never overshadow integrity, Nathan."

Nathan chuckled. "Integrity, Aunt Louise? In this cutthroat world of business?” he tuts briefly and waves his finger.

“We must adapt to survive," he says with a self-satisfied air.

“Adaptation doesn't mean compromising our principles, Nathan," Cyrus says firmly.

Nathan's expression turned smug. "We'll see, won't we? When I secure my position as the rightful heir, you'll understand."

Louise's patience wore thin, her tone sharp. "Your position will be determined by more than just meeting conditions, Nathan. Respect, trust, honor and wisdom hold greater weight.”

Nathan's smirk faltered slightly, a hint of frustration creeping into his demeanor. He could never stand the older woman before him. But they couldn't get the better of him today.

"Well, we'll just have to wait and see, won't we?” he says and leaves the office.

“You had better have some good news for me soon, 'cause I would never allow Nathan to ruin everything this family stands for,” Louise says angrily and leaves the office. Cyrus leans back into his seat feeling overwhelmed and conflicted.

******

Cora was brushing her wet auburn hair in front of her vanity when the harsh slam of the door jolts her out of her serene ambiance. The angry figure of her husband Nathan looms at the door.

Cora gulps nervously, anxiously awaiting his cruelty which he always unleashed on her. Her fingers placed on her thigh, tightly clenched her silk robe.

“What is the result of the test Cora, you had better tell me that you are finally useful to me for once,” he seethes angrily while slamming the door shut.

Cora flinched from the jarring noise, her panic beginning to mount.

“It… it… it was negative,” she stutters in a small voice.

“I'm so sorry Nathan,” Cora pleads in a scared voice.

Nathan felt something akin to fear coupled with rage. He had already bragged to Cyrus and his mother about his success in producing an heir, and it had all been for nothing. He was wary of what this would mean if they found out the truth. He had to have his heir before Cyrus no matter the cost. He had to take advantage of Elora's current state and get ahead of Cyrus.

Nathan began to take slow predatory steps towards her and Cora jumped up from her seat and began to move back in terror. He began to undo his shirt buttons while still advancing towards her, his eyes shining with menace.

“You know ever since we got married, you have never been useful to me. But I must get ahead of Cyrus this time. You must get pregnant Cora.”

Cora felt chills run down her spine, and hot tears spilled from her eyes. She shook her head vigorously while still trying to get away from Nathan.

“Nathan please stop this, I'm begging you please.”

Nathan scoffed, a sneer on his face.” You know your tears will never move me. You should know that by now. We can either do this the easy way, or the hard way, but either way, I get what I want from you.”

Nathan discards his shirt and begins to undo his belt. The sound of the metal buckle spurs Cora into action, and she dashes for the door. Before she can open it, Nathan grabs her and throws her on the bed. His angry stare does not leave her face as he tries to undo her robe. Cora struggles against his efforts.

“Stop this Nathan, don't do this, let me go,” she yells through her tears despite her fear.

“I dare you to fight against me one more time. I will make sure your family is on the streets by tomorrow,” Nathan threatens in a low tone.

Cora's face goes white as a sheet and the fight goes out of her. She shuts her eyes as her tears flow, separating her mind from her body, it always worked for her.