Page 17 of Damaged King

His hand dropped. I’d crossed a line. He’d said many times he’d made his bed and he was fine with it. But in this moment, I hated them all. From the mother who had abandoned us, to an uncle who had stolen my father’s inheritance, to cousins who hadn’t acknowledged my existence. I hated wealth and the rich people who had it.

“You need to let it go, son. Money is nothing but the root of evil. It causes hate, mistrust, and deception. The day I walked away from that life was my happiest.”

I wanted to believe him, but I didn’t.

“Just think about what this could be if you had that money. You could have lived your dream and had a thriving business,” I challenged.

He shook his head. “Everything here is mine and I earned it. It wasn’t given to me with strings attached.”

“And Mom?”

He held my gaze. “I loved her. But she wouldn’t have ever been happy here. And I got you out of the deal.”

The old ache came back, and I rubbed at my chest. “She didn’t just leave you.”

“And that’s the only thing I’m sorry for. But I’m not sorry she got pregnant. I’m thankful that she chose life for you. She had an easier out. Yet, she made a go of it for a while.”

“Queen of the mountain didn’t suit her.”

Dad licked his chapped lips. “I never told you this, but the guy—”

“The one she married?”

“Him. His plane had trouble and landed here. It was going to take a few days to fix. I sent her with him and his pilot to town since he wouldn’t know his way. You were small, but loved planes and wanted to stay with me.”

I ran a hand over my head as the conclusion of that story became apparent.

“Do you regret that?”

“No, son. It was better to know sooner that she was never mine. He offered her everything I gave up.”

I blew out a frustrated breath. “Yeah, a husband and two sons.”

There was no need to say three sons because she didn’t acknowledge me at all. No birthday calls, presents, or cards. I was but a memory she’d like to forget.

“It wasn’t you. He didn’t want a ready-made family and she was selfish enough to let go of the best thing in her life.”

I narrowed my eyes at him, wondering if the cold had frozen his brain cells.

“How could you know?” I asked.

“She calls.” That news shut me up. “She isn’t as happy as you think she is.”

“And that’s all you’re going to tell me.”

He sighed. “Isn’t my story to tell. But we’ve all heard the quote ‘the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.’”

“I don’t give a shit. She isn’t worth the ink on my birth certificate.”

Dad might have said something more if a tear-streaked Jolie hadn’t walked in.

9

Jolie

“You thinkI’m interested in her? You don’t have to worry about that.”

His words rang clear as I hadn’t moved far enough from the door. Old insecurities of my self-worth crept in as I felt the prick of tears.

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