Chapter 253

Chapter 253
Nathan's POV

I watched as my grandfather Logan stepped into the dim room, my grandmother Lisa following close behind him. The air seemed to grow even colder as they approached. I never thought I'd see them face Zane like this—my uncle, the monster who had kidnapped Lily and threatened our unborn child.

"Father, mother—what a pleasant surprise!" Zane's voice dripped with sarcasm, his disfigured face twisting into what I assumed was meant to be a smile.

Logan raised his hand, signaling Alex and me to keep our distance. His eyes never left Zane, his expression hardening in a way I'd rarely seen before. My grandmother, however, couldn't maintain the same composure. Her eyes widened, lips parting slightly as she took in the sight of her son—burned, maimed, and bound to a chair.

"Zane... What happened to you?" Lisa's voice trembled, barely above a whisper.

I studied my grandmother's face, noting the rare display of emotion. It was then I realized Logan must have finally told her everything—about Zane being alive all these years, about what he had done. They were in this together. Looking at Zane now, I understood why my grandfather had abandoned him. The man was completely unhinged.

The tension in the room shattered when Zane suddenly lunged forward as much as his restraints would allow and spat in Lisa's face. Before anyone could react, he followed with a vicious backhand across her cheek that sent her stumbling backward.

"You bitch!" Zane snarled.

I rushed to my grandmother, steadying her before she could fall. Her hand trembled as it touched her reddening cheek, her eyes wide with shock.

"You okay?" I asked quietly, but she couldn't seem to find her voice.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Logan's face transform. The controlled businessman vanished, replaced by something primal and dangerous. He removed his wedding ring, placing it carefully in his pocket before his fist connected with Zane's jaw with a sickening crack.

"You sick fuck. I'll personally make sure you'll die today!" Logan roared, a vein pulsing in his forehead.

Zane spat blood onto the concrete floor, his remaining eye gleaming with malice. "You made me this sick. You did this to me! I saved Richard from that fire, but you left me to burn knowing I was alive!"

Logan didn't flinch. "And till this day, it's one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life!"

"That wife of yours was a nuisance," Zane hissed, glancing at Lisa who was still in my arms. "Look at what she's done to you!"

I noticed Alex fidgeting with his mother's ring, spinning it around his finger. A cold realization hit me—Logan must have hated Alex's mother. How much resentment did he still carry toward his grandson?

"Good for her," Logan muttered when Alex mentioned his mother's death, confirming my suspicions.

Alex cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable. "Are we done, grandpa?"

Before Logan could answer, the sound of a door opening caught our attention. A figure in a wheelchair appeared from the shadows, and my heart stuttered in my chest.

"Dad?" The word escaped my lips before I could stop it. What the hell was my father doing here? I shot Alex an accusatory glance, feeling betrayed by his arrangement.

Zane's reaction was immediate. His entire demeanor changed as he stared at the wheelchair-bound man. "B-brother. Is that really you, Richard?"

My father nodded slowly, wheeling himself closer to Zane. I tensed, ready to intervene if necessary. The last thing we needed was for Zane to attack my already weakened father.

Zane's hand reached out, trembling as he touched my father's face. "It's really you. I'm finally seeing you from up close after all these years." His voice cracked with emotion.

"You've made quite the mess, didn't you?" My father's voice was calm, almost gentle.

"I'm sorry. Just kill me, please." Zane begged, tears streaming down his disfigured face.

I rolled my eyes, not buying this performance for a second. Alex seemed equally skeptical, his lips pressed into a thin line.

"Why did you hurt mother?" my father asked quietly.

Zane's face contorted with what appeared to be genuine remorse. "Mother? I hurt mother? I'm so sorry."

I couldn't believe this act. One moment he was spitting in her face, the next he was apologizing? Either he was playing us or he was truly insane. Probably both.

To my surprise, my grandmother approached Zane, taking his hand in hers. "I know you are. I know you're sorry."

Zane sobbed, looking at my father. "I'm sorry, Richard. Please forgive me. Just kill me."

Alex let out a cold laugh. "Oh, don't you worry about that."

Logan pulled Alex and me aside, giving Lisa and my father some space with Zane. "Let's give them a moment to say goodbye," he murmured.

"I invited all our uncles and aunts to come say a proper goodbye," Alex informed us.

I felt my eyebrows shoot up in surprise. Everyone was coming to witness Zane's execution? This was turning into a family reunion from hell.

"Do you believe his apology?" I asked Logan quietly.

He shook his head. "He's unstable. One minute he's sorry, the next he's hitting your grandmother. There's no fixing that."

"So we're killing someone who's mentally unstable?" Alex questioned with a hint of amusement in his voice.

I couldn't help but laugh. As if any of us had moral high ground here.

Logan's expression remained grave. "Do what you must do, then ask God for forgiveness. But I do not want to see this beast alive." The finality in his voice left no room for debate.

"Don't worry. I'll blow him up the same way he blew up my uncle Henry," Alex said matter-of-factly before walking away.

I found myself alone with my grandfather, an uncomfortable position I usually tried to avoid. The silence between us stretched until I finally broke it.

"What about Jake?" I asked.

"He made his choice. Let him live with the consequences," Logan answered without hesitation.

"And Michael?" I pressed, concerned about how this would affect him.

"I spoke with his mother. She understands. She doesn't want a mini Zane running around either. She won't be here today."

I nodded, relieved that at least Michael would be spared from witnessing his father's death. My uncles and aunts began to file into the room, their faces grim. I started to move away, not wanting to be part of the morbid spectacle, but Logan caught my arm.

"Nathan," he said, his voice unusually soft. "I was wrong, and I owe you an apology. I was wrong about Lily, so please stay and protect your family." His eyes held mine. "You're a good leader, and Lily loves you very much."

His words caught me off guard. I hadn't expected an apology, especially not about Lily.

"I want to take Lily, Eleanor—and just go. I just want to get away from here." The words tumbled out before I could stop them. "Did you ever think about how this affects me? How all of this affects Lily?"

Logan looked genuinely surprised. "And go where? This is your legacy. Your responsibility." He paused. "Alex is good, but he doesn't have your experience."

"Have you considered Lily's feelings?" he continued. "Because this is not the Nathan show."

His words hit me like a slap. He was right. I hadn't even asked Lily what she wanted. She had just found her family—the Donovans—after years of not knowing who she was. Would she even want to leave them behind?

"I can't promise anything about staying, but I'll discuss it with her," I finally said, my resolve softening.

"Fair enough," Logan nodded.

"I should go home. Eleanor needs me. Lily needs me." I glanced at my watch. "I need a ride."

---

When I arrived home, the sound of Lily's laughter drew me toward our entertainment room. I followed it, something in my chest loosening at the sound. As I approached, I heard Joseph's voice, and Lily laughed again.

"And then he just stood there with his pants down!" Joseph was saying, and Lily's laughter intensified.

"No way! Nathan actually did that?" she asked between giggles.

"Oh yeah, it was after that big fight with the Peterson brothers. I've never seen anyone look so terrified and intimidating at the same time," Joseph confirmed.

I knocked on the doorframe before entering. Lily jumped dramatically, clutching her chest.

"Oh my God, you scared me!" she exclaimed, but her smile was bright.

"Hey," I said, smiling back. "Where's your brother?"

"He left. Eleanor's asleep, and little Nathan is making me nauseous," she replied, patting her stomach gently.

I raised an eyebrow. "Little Nathan? What if it's a girl?"

She shrugged. "Then she'll be a very confused little Nathan."

I laughed, feeling some of the day's tension leave my body. "As long as they're healthy, I don't care what we have."

"What about you, Joseph?" Lily asked. "Do you want kids?"

Joseph shook his head. "Not anytime soon. I'm happy being Uncle to Eleanor for now."

"Uncle, huh?" I teased. "You've been spending an awful lot of time with Eleanor."

"Better than spending time with all those women you used to bring home," Joseph fired back with a grin.

Lily stood up. "I'm going to get some snacks."

"Don't cook anything!" Joseph and I said in unison, and she rolled her eyes before leaving.

"Don't make jokes about her cooking," Joseph warned once she was out of earshot. "She's sensitive about it."

"Thanks for looking out for her," I said sincerely.

Joseph nodded. "Always. So, how did it go today?"

I sighed, lowering my voice. "My grandparents showed up. My dad too. Zane hit my grandmother, and Logan lost it. They're probably killing him right now."

"Family problems, huh?" Joseph grimaced. "Are you going back tomorrow?"

"Yes. Alex wants everyone there for the... finale," I replied. "You should come."

"I'll think about it," he said. "My uncle's back in town. He wants to rebuild what's left of the Moretti family."

Lily returned with a tray of drinks and store-bought cookies. "What are you two whispering about?"

I saw my opportunity and took it. "It's a good thing that we're staying in town to raise our children and be with our families."

She looked confused. "Were we planning on going somewhere?" When I didn't answer immediately, she pressed, "Don't you want to?"

"I really don't care. I'll follow you anywhere," she said softly.

"What about your family?" Joseph interjected. "And me, of course."

Lily's eyes widened with realization. "Oh."

In that moment, I had my answer. She would follow me, but she didn't want to leave. This was our home, our life. Running away wouldn't solve anything, and abandoning the business I'd been raised to lead wasn't an option either.

"No," I said, taking her hand. "The thought of leaving hadn't even crossed my mind."