Chapter 92
In a hoarse voice, Cynthia asked, "Christopher, can't we just start over? Let's forget about those two years. We were both at fault."
When Christopher emerged, she grabbed his arms. With a stone-cold expression, he freed himself, saying, "I believe I was very clear with you last night. Your sob story isn't going to work on me. Please get out of my house."
Cynthia tried to follow, but her numb limbs, from sleeping by the door, caused her to stumble. She expected Christopher to help her, as he always had, but he didn't even glance back. He was already putting on his shoes at the entrance.
When he turned, Cynthia was still on the floor, her head lifted, eyes glistening. "Christopher," she cried, but his expression remained impassive, his eyes cold. "If you're still here by the end of the day, I'm throwing your things out," he said before leaving, the door slamming shut.
Behind the closed door, Cynthia wept, her heart filled with resentment. She couldn't accept the swift end of their relationship.
Meanwhile, from a neighborhood basement parking lot, Christopher drove back to Fuller Manor. A call with Larry brought relief; Daniel was feeling better after his medication. He couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to Daniel, the only person who seemed to care for him.
After the call, he contacted Sheldon, asking him to bring a lawyer to Fuller Manor first thing in the morning. Half an hour later, his car stopped at the manor's entrance. The butler greeted him.
"Breakfast is prepared, Mr. Fuller. Why don't you join Mr. Fuller Senior for breakfast presently?" Larry said.
Christopher hummed in response, passing through the antique-decorated hallway to the foyer. Daniel sat sipping tea. Hearing footsteps, he looked up.
"Grandpa," Christopher greeted.
"Kneel," Daniel commanded, setting down his tea, his face impassive.
Christopher clenched his fists. Obeying, he slowly knelt. Daniel hadn't made him kneel since he was an adult. Was this about Melody's forged documents?
"I apologize on Melody's behalf, Grandpa. She didn't mean to go so far," Christopher said, his head lowered.
Daniel immediately struck him twice with his cane. Christopher endured the pain silently.
"It seems your head's still in the clouds! You still don't understand!" Daniel berated. "You used to hate your father for his affair and illegitimate child—for the depression that killed your mother. Now look at you! You're becoming just like him, bringing your mistress home, angering your wife to the point of divorce. Are you any different from your father?"
Christopher stood immobile, stunned. Was he becoming the person he hated most? He wanted to deny it, but shame and regret weighed him down, forcing his head to lower. He thought of his messy relationship with Cynthia, and how allowing her into his home, into Melody's bedroom, had driven Melody away. He had become the same kind of man he despised.