Page 39 of Merciless

I thought I’d feel vindicated. Instead, there was an endless upset, an infinite anger that only grew the more I looked at him. William.

How dare he appear hurt. How dare he act like the betrayed when he has been the perpetrator for so many years.

As I reached the exit, he called from behind. “Son, can we—”

“I told you before. I’m not your son.”

I heard him stand, which made me shift so I didn’t have my back to him.

William gulped, his features all depressed, sadness his permanent shadow. “Colton, I’m sorry for everything. I have wronged you in so many ways that I don’t know where to begin. But you’re right. Maybe I should start with honesty. Son… I’m sick.”

From the way he said it, I knew the type of sick he was implying, yet his statement didn’t have the effect he was looking for. He expected a reaction—anything—but he had failed to realise that I wasn’t the same person I used to be.

I was a stone-cold shell, sympathy and empathy only reserved for a select few. And he was not one of them.

William crumbled then, the full realisation finally sinking in. His fingers dug into his sternum, his face shattered in pain as a long groan escaped his lips. “I-I think I’m—call an ambulance, Colt. My chest hurts—”

He slumped back into his chair, his fearful eyes searching mine, only to find an impenetrable wall.

I allowed him to see my resolve, to see the truth as it was.

I didn’t care. I just didn’t care.

With little effort, I turned my back and walked out.

Chapter 24

COLTON

A long breath was exhaled from my lungs as I watched the flashing blue and red lights fade in the review mirror.

I was in the passenger seat of Thomas’ car, eternally grateful for his foresight to travel together, as I was in no state to drive anywhere.

My mind was out of sorts, the feeling altogether bizarre. I didn’t know what to focus on—if anything at all. Since so much of myself was consumed in getting to that exact moment, I had failed to predict what I would do after.

The cops had taken pity on William and called an ambulance due to his incessant cries of chest pain.

Maybe I was the monster for not alerting them myself? Even so, I couldn’t muster up a single ounce of remorse or care.

If William was, in fact, experiencing a cardiac arrest, his condition was in direct response to his own actions, not mine.

After everything was revealed, I could sense the shift, see the change right before my eyes. He was riddled with guilt, overcome with regret, and his body couldn’t cope with the sudden onslaught.

Years ago, I had to navigate through one of the most traumatic experiences alone. Now, it was his turn to do the same.

“Colt?” Thomas called, pulling me back to the present.

My gaze refocused on my lawyer, turned family friend. Thomas had played the utmost professional, even going so far as to call me by my last name around others.

“Mm,” I replied.

“We’ve arrived,” he said, gesturing to the hotel entrance in which he was parked outside. “Do you want me to come in with you?” I could hear the concern underlining his voice, and I didn’t want him to worry.

“No, that’s okay. Avery will be waiting.” I reached out to grasp his shoulder. “Thank you for your support today, Tom. I don’t know if I could have done it without you.”

He smiled then, a certain gleam in his eye. “You would have. You are one of the bravest men I know, Colton. I’m proud of you, son.”

Geez, I’ve held it together all day. Don’t let me get all emotional now. “For what?” I asked, attempting to make light of the situation. “For systematically planning to destroy my own father?”