CHAPTER 12 — The Choice of a Father
CHAPTER 12 — The Choice of a Father
Alexander raised both hands.
“Let him go.”
Richard pulled Noah backward.
Nicholas stood frozen near the wall, tears streaming silently down his face.
Clara crawled toward the fallen gun, but Richard saw her.
“Don’t move.”
Alexander looked at Noah.
His son was terrified but trying not to cry.
“Look at me,” Alexander said.
Noah lifted his eyes.
“You’re going to be all right.”
Richard laughed.
“You were never there when they needed you. Don’t pretend to be their father now.”
Alexander kept his gaze on Noah.
“You’re right.”
Richard’s smile faded.
Alexander continued.
“I missed birthdays. I missed school plays. I believed providing a mansion meant I was providing a home.”
Noah listened.
“So I cannot change yesterday,” Alexander said. “But I am here now.”
He slowly lowered himself to his knees.
Richard frowned.
“What are you doing?”
“Take me instead.”
“Alexander—” Clara began.
“Take me,” he repeated. “I’m worth more to you alive.”
Richard hesitated.
That was all Noah needed.
The boy drove his heel down onto Richard’s foot.
Richard loosened his grip.
Alexander lunged.
Noah dropped to the floor.
Clara grabbed him and pulled him away.
Richard and Alexander crashed through the rotting banister.
Richard caught the railing.
Alexander barely held the edge of the landing with one hand.
Below them was a two-story drop.
Richard looked at his brother.
“Help me.”
Alexander reached for him.
Richard stared in disbelief.
“After everything?”
“You are still my brother.”
Alexander caught Richard’s wrist.
For one moment, it seemed he could pull him up.
Then Richard reached for the knife hidden inside his coat.
Clara shouted.
“Alexander!”
Richard swung the knife upward.
Alexander released him instinctively.
Richard fell.
He struck the floor below and lay motionless.
Silence filled the estate.
Alexander climbed back onto the landing.
Noah ran into his arms.
Nicholas followed.
Alexander held both sons tightly.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I’m so sorry.”
Noah buried his face against his father’s shoulder.
“You came back for us.”
“Yes.”
“Will you leave again?”
Alexander closed his eyes.
“No.”
Police sirens approached outside.
Clara looked down at Richard.
He was still breathing.
May you like
He would survive.
And this time, no Whitmore money would protect him.
