Ultimatum
1129 Words
“Who are you?” William questioned, clearly angered that his son had suffered such a terrifying attack.
“Have you forgotten me already, uncle?... It hasn't been that long, has it?”
William froze, unable to understand why this stranger would refer to him as an uncle, but then, Isaac seemed to have recognized him as he stepped back in shock before speaking up with a stutter.
“Nathan… is that you?”
On hearing the name Nathan, everyone was stunned into silence as they never imagined that the person who had attacked Liam would be that forgotten individual.
Ignoring the questioning looks sent his way, Nathan turned to attend to his family.
Sara's lips quivered as she muttered. “Nathan, is it you?”
Nathan managed a melancholic smile as he replied, “It's me, mum. Your son is back home.”
Tears fell from Sara's eyes as she spread her arms wide and hugged him, with Nathan reciprocating the gesture.
“I'm so glad,” Sara muttered, with Nathan responding.
“I'm sorry you had to wait so long.”
Sara caressed Nathan's face, unable to believe that he was her son.
To think that he was still alive after so many years.
After letting go of his mother, Nathan turned to regard Vera, who was staring at him.
Before he could say a word, he received a slap and a kick which caught him completely off guard.
“Bastard!... Why are you back!?... What do you think you are doing here?... Trying to play the hero after abandoning us for so long?”
“Vera, think about your condition and that's no way to speak to your brother!” Sara scolded Vera, but the latter merely turned away, unwilling to take back what she'd said.
Nathan wanted to apologize, to say he was sorry for wasting so much time, but he knew now was not the time, so he turned to face the ones that had ruined his family.
Liam glared at him. “Nathan, how dare you hit me!?”
“Why can't I?” Nathan asked as he struck Liam across the jaw with his fist, knocking him to the floor yet again.
Snorting derisively as the weak fool squirmed like a worm on the ground, Nathan turned his attention to Isaac. “Uncle, you have enjoyed the benefits of betraying my father for so long that you've forgotten that it was never yours to begin with, even daring to grovel at the feet of the Valeria family like a dog.”
“Arrogant!” William exclaimed in anger, only to shut up as Nathan sent a glare his way.
“I am here to say that I am ready to take everything back.”
Isaac frowned, still struggling to understand how Nathan had survived the gruesome war on the southern front.
“Don't you have any respect for your elders?... What have you achieved for you to become so unruly?”
“Father, there's no need to say anything to this good-for-nothing fool. The War God will be here shortly. We can't let them ruin our chance to grow.”
Taking a deep breath to calm down, Isaac intoned, “Take your mother and sister and leave at once. I have no time to spend on the likes of you.”
“One month,” Nathan calmly said. “You have one month to prepare, after which, if you do not return what you stole from my father, do not blame me for what happens next.”
With that, Nathan left with his mother and sister.
Seconds passed before everyone burst into mocking laughter.
“Who does that brat think he is to threaten us like that?... Just because he served in the army, he thinks he's a big shot?”
“Forget about him, he thinks he's something. He has no idea that we will be hosting the war god soon. I'd like to see his face when he realizes that we are friends with such an influential figure.”
“Just one word from them, and he would be erased from the map, him and his useless mother and sister.”
“Speaking of, when will the war god arrive?”
At this juncture, everyone couldn't help but wonder what was taking him so long.
Just then, William got a call.
“Father,” William intoned as he dropped the phone. “They said he couldn't make it.”
“Huh, why?”
“They didn't say.”
“Damn it!” Isaac cursed as he felt like he'd just missed the opportunity to further the family's influence.
***
Meanwhile, Sara led Nathan to where she had been staying with Vera, which was a modest two-bedroom flat.
“After you left, that witch Rebecca took everything, including the house, so we had to make do with this,” Sara remarked with a melancholic smile.
Nathan asked. “What about the mansion?”
“Rebecca gave it to Isaac, so he stays there now.”
Nathan let out a deep sigh just as Sara asked.
“Have you been well?... Why didn't you come back sooner?... You scared your sister and me by taking so long to return.”
“I couldn't come back because the war situation worsened. But it's fine; I'm here now, and I promise I won't let anyone bully our family any longer.”
Sara revealed a satisfied smile as she tried to speak up, only for Vera to coldly reply.
“You're a tad too late for that.”
Then, she left with Sara unable to stop her.
“Nathan…”
“It's fine. You don't have to explain her actions. They are entirely justified.”
“I'm sorry.”
“I already said it's fine, now then, where is my wife, Claudia?... Did she leave?”
“Leave?... Of course not!” Sara said, seemingly offended that Nathan would say such a thing. “In truth, I thought she'd leave as well, but she decided to stay and wait for you. Even when her family threatened to disown her if she didn't return, she refused.”
“I see,” Nathan muttered, unsure of how to feel.
To think that she would go through so much for his sake.
It was heartwarming.
“Anyway, she's currently working with some friends; they started a small business and are doing well; she's been supporting me and your sister for a long time. Unfortunately, something happened to her business which is why she is unable to pay for Vera’s medicine.”
“What happened?"
“She wouldn't say, but she's still at the office. Maybe you can pay her a surprise visit. I'm sure she'd like that.”
- Writer
