Page 7 of Craving Paradise

“Do you think your father would give it up?”

“I think it’s for the best. I don’t want to take the legal route, but I will if I have to. It’s time, and it’s for the best. Taking the pressure off Dad’s shoulders might aid his recovery.”

“I think it’s the right thing to do. You’re looking after everything already. Your father never wanted the title or the estate, but he felt duty-bound to keep his family’s legacy going. I’ll do whatever you need me to do to help you take over.”

“I hope Autumn is okay with it,” I say. She has always been close to our father. She’s idolized him her entire life, even through the bad times.

“She’ll understand, sweetie. And if not, I’ll talk to her,” Mum tries to reassure me.

“Thanks, Mum. I better get back as the doctor is due any moment to give us the details of Dad’s condition.”

“Love you, sweetheart. Call me if you need me.”

And with that, she’s gone.

* * *

It wasn’t the best news for my father. He had broken ribs, a busted eye socket, and internal bleeding. Much to his annoyance, he’d be in the hospital for the next week.

“How are you feeling today?” I ask my father, taking a seat beside him after finishing work. He’s more cognitive today, which is good to see.

“Don’t worry about me. I’ll get there,” he mumbles as he sits up, wincing in pain. “I don’t like all this fussing. Your sister won’t leave me alone. She’s always here, and all I want to do is sleep.”

“She does it because she cares.”

“I know. I don’t want to distract her from her work. She’s already told me she’s rescheduled one of her trips to look after me. I don’t want her to do that over something silly that happened to me.”

“It wasn’t something silly, was it? It was a premeditated attack.”

My father stiffens at my comment and stays silent. He knows I’m right.

“We need to talk, Dad, about a lot of things,” I say gently because I know he’ll not like this conversation I’m about to have with him.

“I messed up. You know, and I know I fell off the wagon, but my mother died, Jasper. I didn’t mean for anything to happen, but the next thing I know, I’m placing a bet on the horses,” he confesses as a tear slips down his cheek, explaining about his inner demons.

“I’m not angry. I’m worried we could have lost you the other day when those men attacked you. Next time, they may not stop.” I do fear the next time he falls off the wagon, it will be his last time.

“You’re right. I messed up. I’m sorry to you, your sister, and your mother too.”

I can see the distress etched on his face from causing his family pain. If we gave him a choice over gambling and his family, he’d choose gambling every time. We will always be second to his demons, and there isn’t much we can do about it.

“I need the details of the people you owe so I can pay them off.”

“Jasper, no. You can’t keep bailing me out every time I fall.”

This is true. But he’s my father, and I’ll do what is needed to keep him safe.

“This time, there will be conditions, though, and I’m not sure if you’re going to like them.”

“I’ll do anything to make things right for you and your sister.”

“I know you would, but I think I’ve worked out something that might work for us both. I have your best interests at heart. Do you trust me?” I ask him.

“Of course, son, you always have, even when I didn’t deserve it. I trust you, Jasper.”

“You know I’m going to ask you to go to rehab again?”

He nods, showing he understands he needs to go back to rehabilitation and work through the program again.

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