Page 41 of Inevitable Inheritance

“He just seems like he was a different person from one picture to the next. I just don’t get it,” she said. “What made him a monster?”

“A monster,” Simon murmured, nodding. “I guess he did get to that status,” he said, turning away from the pictures. Simon studied Taylor now and started to speak several times, opening his mouth and then closing it and looking thoughtful, only to repeat the motion again. Finally, Simon said, “Sometimes, Taylor, the indiscretions of those who have gone should stay buried with them.”

“Yes, well, he isn’t buried yet,” Taylor said.

“Even so …” Simon said and then gestured to her appearance. “I see Marty has gotten a hold of you,” he observed.

The memory of her interaction with Marty had Taylor smiling, “Oh, yes, I was at her mercy when I asked for jeans and a shirt.”

Simon nodded in understanding then held out his arm to Taylor. “Walk with me, Taylor?”

For a split second, Taylor wanted to say no. Though she had always been comfortable with Simon, but she couldn’t help remembering the pesky little blackmaily thing he was doing to her with Derrick. But then she realized that he was trying to build a bridge between them; maybe some alone time was just what they needed.

Taylor took Simon’s arm and walked with him in silence down the stairs and out onto the stone patio of the Fletcher estate’s backyard and down into the garden.

It was like something out ofAlice in Wonderlandwith all the shapes and animals designed within the hedges and the floral accents, and Taylor loved it. Playing hide and seek had never been more fun anywhere than in this garden. As the happy memories of her childhood flooded her mind, Taylor could not believe she had been afraid to come back here.

“You know, Taylor, I was the one who came up with the idea for Derrick to get married,” Simon said, looking out over the hedge garden and blooming flowers.

And just like that her bubble wentpop! She was back in reality. Heaving a sigh, Taylor replied, “Yeah, I kind of figured, Simon.”

Simon looked back in surprise. “Really? And why is that?”

“I figured you gave him the order and he tracked me down. After all, you two seem quite chummy now.” Taylor looked over at Simon and smiled. “Derrick isn’t exactly stamped ‘marry and settle down’.”

Simon smiled sadly, “You see, even you are not immune to how he has been labeled.”

Taylor frowned when she realized he was right; she was reacting the same way they expected the public to, never believing Derrick was anything but a party animal. She had just reinforced Simon’s belief that Derrick needed to get married. Maybe she could change his mind. “But why push him to get married, Simon? Can’t he just prove himself by his work, show the world he has grown up?”

Simon shook his head, “It is a deep reputation, and there isn’t much time, Taylor.”

“Much time for what? It’s not like he needs to take over tomorrow,” Taylor said, rolling her eyes. “What, are you in a hurry to retire and spruce up your golf game?”

“I’m dying, Taylor.”

Taylor stopped short and jerked in half as if she’d been sucker-punched in the stomach, “What?” she asked breathlessly to Simon, who stood still beside her.

Simon nodded, his expression somber. “I have pancreatic cancer. All treatment options have been exhausted,” he said. Simon looped his arm through one of Taylor’s and gave her a gentle tug, “Come with me, Taylor. I can’t stand still for long—it’s better to go forward, to keep moving.”

Taylor nodded, dazed, and propelled herself forward. There was so much she wanted to say, but she just stayed silent; she was having trouble getting the words out. “When, Simon?” Taylor finally gasped, after composing herself to walk a few steps. “When did this happen?”

“I was diagnosed four years ago and received treatment for two years before I told anyone,” he said.

“Why? Why go through that alone?” Taylor asked. Her grandfather had succumbed to cancer, and she was always glad she had been with him through the illness. As painful as it had been to watch, she knew how much he was going through.

Simon swallowed and avoided Taylor’s eyes. “My children had already lost their mother,” Simon explained hoarsely. “I didn’t want to worry them unless it was necessary. I told Derrick two years ago, Marty just a few months ago—before the last treatment effort.”

Taylor said nothing for a while as she processed all Simon was saying. “So, is that how you and Derrick worked out your, uh, differences? He smartened up after he learned about you being sick?”

“Derrick has always been smart, he’s just been too rebellious,” Simon defended. That was good to hear. Taylor had always heard Derrick talk about how hard Simon was on him. Simon continued, “Derrick responded immediately and said he would be there, do anything. He carries so much guilt for not being there when his mother …” Simon swallowed hard. Shaking his head, he glanced down, “and I am mostly to blame for that, I have never been easy on him.” Regret resonated in his voice.

Taylor couldn’t go there, not to that time, not about Delia. Taylor always looked to Delia like a second mother, and she missed her. Her death had been such a shock, and the thought of it reminded her of Derrick, of him crying, of her comforting him, of …

Nope. New topic.

“So you think him getting married will make him look so very responsible and grown up, ensuring the continued thriving of Fletcher Enterprises?”

“It’s never been about carrying on the family name, Taylor, but it has always been the responsibility. You know that,” Simon said softly. “I want this to continue for legacy, sure, but mostly for the people who depend on us, and for my children, and my children’s children, and so on. I want Fletcher Enterprises to be there so they don’t have to worry, so that they can just live. I wished it would keep them safe forever,” he said sadly, obviously considering the ill fate of himself and his wife, “but I don’t live in that bubble anymore.”

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