Rion was still trying to process everything when his father spoke again.
"You think I wouldn't find out?"
Rion's head snapped up.
Cody Lennox's eyes were fixed on him now, sharp, unreadable.
"Find out… what?" Rion asked carefully, though something deep inside him already knew.
His father let out a quiet, humorless scoff.
"Don't insult me, Rion."
The air shifted.
"I know about your little life," he continued. "Everything you've been hiding."
Rion's chest tightened. Adrian.
"You think you can live however you want, do whatever you want, and I wouldn't know?" Cody stepped closer. "I am very disappointed in you."
The words hit harder than they should have.
"I don't have the time to explain just how disappointed I am," he went on coldly. "So I'll make this simple for you."
Rion didn't move.
"Cut ties with him." The room went completely still.
"And start working at the company," Cody added. "As Vice President. Effective immediately."
Rion blinked, like he hadn't heard that right.
"You can't be serious."
"I am very serious," his father replied. "Rion, you know how much I want the best for you."
Rion almost laughed. That word again. Best.
"All you have to do is listen to me," Cody said, his voice lowering. "Let's do this the easy way…"
He stepped forward suddenly and grabbed Rion's shoulder tight.
"Or you already know what I can do."
Rion froze. Every muscle in his body locked.
That feeling. The one he had spent years trying to escape was back. Stronger than ever..His mind started racing. Say something. Stand up for yourself.
Tell him he can't control your life.
But the words wouldn't come out.
Because deep down
A terrifying thought echoed: Do I even have a choice?
Adrian. The thought hit him like a shock.
Rion pulled his phone out with slightly shaking hands.
Missed calls. So many..Messages.
He opened them, his chest tightening more with every line.
Are you okay?
Please call me back, baby.
Do you need my help with anything?
Please, I'm worried.
Should I wait for you at the house?
Baby, please talk to me.
At least tell me you're okay.
I'm so scared right now.
Should I come?
Baby, I love you.
We'll go through this together.
Rion's grip on his phone tightened. For a moment, everything else faded. The noise.
The pressure. His father. All of it.
And all he could think about was Adrian.
Waiting. Worried. Still choosing him. Even now.
"Make your decision, Rion." His father's voice cut through the moment. Cold. Impatient.
Rion slowly lowered his phone. His heart was pounding. Two worlds pulling at him.
One built on control, fear, and expectations.
The other on something real. Something he actually chose.
Rion swallowed.
And for the first time. He knew that whatever he said next…
Would change everything.