Page 47 of October
"Oh, I've thought about it," he said without hesitation. " Every time I saw October shrink smaller around you. Every time I watched her lose that fire in her eyes while you strutted around like a damn peacock because your daddy patted your head."
"and the worst part? The absolute insult? You did all that damage not because you're evil, but because you'reweak.You chose comfort over conscience. Ego over empathy."
He stepped back slightly, as if even being near me was nauseating.
"The only reason I won't do it is because there are three innocent kids who still believe you're worth something."
He pointed at me now, his finger like a loaded weapon.
"They are the thread, Thomas. Theonlythread keeping me from becoming the villain you deserve."
I tried to breathe, but it felt like the air had turned thick and sharp. He turned away, slowly.
"Believe me, if that thread ever snaps? I won't go to prison. I won't feel remorse. I'll go fishing."
I nodded slowly. "Understood."
He turned away, adjusting his jacket like he hadn't just delivered a monologue from a mob movie.
"I should've sunk youyearsago," he muttered, heading for the window. "But October insisted you had a heart. I don't see it." He didn't even look at me at first, just gestured to the nearest chair like I was a disobedient dog.
"Sit." I sat.
He paced a little, cracked his knuckles, then leaned against the edge of the desk with his arms crossed. "So. October told me everything. You're taking down Daddy Dearest, huh?"
I nodded. "Yes. And Laura. I finally found proof. Real stuff, money trails, offshore files, correspondence. I sent it all to the lawyer and the police this morning. They're flying to Portugal tomorrow. There's a meeting planned, offshore accounts, fake corporations, some kind of backdoor merger with a shell company. It's a full circus of financial fraud."
Joseph raised his eyebrows. "Well, well. Isn't that romantic? A father-son betrayal with international flair. Shakespeare would've loved it."
I didn't answer. He narrowed his eyes. "And what's your role in this heroic little soap opera?"
"Keep them from getting suspicious. Make sure they don't change plans. Don't screw up the mission."
He made a noise like a laugh and a sneeze collided. "Ah. That explains you playing cruel idiot to my daughter the last few weeks. But what about the last few months? Better yet, the last few years. Since the beginning, Thomas. Let's not pretend this all started with some dramatic whistleblowing."
My chest tightened. "I messed up. I still am. The way I acted, the things I let slide—I didn't realize how far I'd fallen until she spelled it out. Until Laura... got close. And the lines blurred."
Joseph launched forward so fast I didn't even register his hand until it was gripping the front of my shirt.
"You slept with that snake?"
I choked on air. "No—Jesus, no—I never touched her!"
He stared at me like he was trying to read the lie in my pores. Then let go. I stumbled back, coughing, trying to catch my breath.
"I meant," I gasped, "lines like emotional boundaries. Prioritizing her. Listening to her over October. Letting her influence me."
Joseph took a threatening step closer. I reflexively backed away.
He muttered something about the kids under his breath, then pinned me with a glare. "So you enjoyed the attention. That it?"
I looked down. "Yeah I did, and then her attention... got me Dad's attention too. It felt like—approval.."
"So October's attention wasn't enough?" His voice was venom wrapped in velvet.
"It was," I said quickly. "But in my mind, I never compared them. They felt like... two different parts of my life."
His laugh was low and mean. "Newsflash, Romeo, when you pick the viper over your wife, there are no parts. You made it one big mess."
