The Heated Clash
1231 Words
“I’m leaving. And you know what?” Joshua’s voice dropped to a deadly whisper. “Enjoy your ‘perfect couple’ moment. Because it’s not going to last. Not with the secrets you’ve got crawling under this roof.”
Bianca blinked. “What secrets?”
Joshua offered a wolfish smile. “Guess you’ll find out.”
Jaxon lunged as if to grab him, but Bianca held him back.
“Get out, Joshua,” Meredith snapped. “And don’t come back begging when you realize how tough the world is without us.”
Joshua exhaled slowly, adjusting the strap of his duffel. His eyes swept over the couch, the art, the gilded fixtures that used to feel like home.
He took a step toward the door.
And paused when he heard Charles Rowland’s voice drifting from the hallway behind him.
“Hold on a second, everyone. Let’s not be hasty.”
Joshua clenched his jaw as his adoptive father entered the room, trying to play the mediator.
“…Let’s not be hasty.”
Charles Rowland’s voice carried the same patient, almost weary warmth he’d used when Joshua was a little boy with scraped knees.
But this wasn’t a scraped knee.
Joshua turned to face him, duffel still slung over his shoulder. Charles was stepping out of the hallway, rolling the cuffs of his pale blue shirt. He looked like a man who wanted nothing more than a quiet scotch and silence but instead had walked into a minefield.
Meredith pounced immediately. “Charles, this has nothing to do with you. Joshua was sneaking out like a criminal. Let him go.”
Charles gave his wife a look. “You’ve made your point, Meredith. Let’s not drive the kid out with pitchforks.”
“I’m not a kid,” Joshua shot back, jaw tight.
Charles exhaled. “Old habit. You’ve been my son for eighteen years. That’s not something you can just… cut off.”
Joshua folded his arms. “Seems like everyone else here disagrees.”
Bianca piped up, voice sweet as sugar. “Dad, Joshua’s just upset. But it’s not his fault. He’s always been sensitive.”
Joshua’s glare could’ve cracked glass. “Sensitive? You’ve been home a week, Bianca, and you’re already talking like you know me.”
Bianca looked momentarily stung, but Jaxon swooped in like a vulture. “Look at you. Always the victim. Like the world owes you something.”
Joshua rolled his eyes. “Jaxon, I’d love to stay and listen to your insights, but I’m trying to get out before rush hour.”
Jaxon flung out a hand. “See, Charles? He’s always got some smartass comment. You think he’s so noble? He’s nothing but a leech, living off your family’s money.”
Joshua’s laugh was sharp. “Leech? That’s rich coming from you. I’ve seen your credit card bills, genius.”
Jaxon lunged forward. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
Joshua tilted his head. “It means you spent fifty grand at an art gallery last month just to impress some hedge fund brat from the Upper East Side. Except funny thing, your Amex got declined. Guess who bailed you out?”
Jaxon’s face went red. “You’re full of shit.”
Charles cleared his throat. “Jaxon… is that true?”
Jaxon blustered. “He’s twisting things! It was just a temporary freeze because of fraud alerts!”
Joshua gave a humorless smile. “Keep telling yourself that.”
Meredith’s voice sliced through the room. “Joshua! You have no right airing private family business.”
Joshua’s eyes glinted. “Funny. Because apparently, I’m not family anymore.”
Charles ran a hand through his hair. “Listen, Joshua. Nobody wants this to turn ugly. But… it’s true. You’re not our blood.”
Joshua flinched.
Charles kept going, words tumbling out like he’d rehearsed them in his head a thousand times. “Bianca… is our daughter. We lost eighteen years with her. And it’s only fair she… takes her rightful place.”
Joshua’s voice was very quiet. “Rightful place. Right.”
Charles looked pained. “I’m not saying you didn’t belong here. But things have changed. And… it’s better for everyone if you… go back to your own family.”
Joshua barked a short laugh. “My own family? The people you claim are unemployed and living in a shoebox somewhere?”
Meredith sniffed. “We’re just being realistic, Joshua. Your parents can’t even hold steady jobs. You’ll be the one supporting them. And you’ll resent it.”
Joshua’s voice hardened. “I’ve been supporting this family for years.”
Meredith scoffed. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
Joshua rounded on her. “Who negotiated the Midtown plant’s refinancing deal last winter? Who saved Rowland Enterprises when you were about to default on your raw materials supplier?”
Meredith waved a hand. “Your father handled that.”
Joshua’s laugh was bitter. “Your father? Charles was practically hyperventilating in his office. I was the one who got Garrison Steel to renegotiate their contracts.”
Jaxon rolled his eyes. “Oh, give me a break. You’re just some kid with spreadsheets.”
Joshua’s voice was deadly calm. “Funny. Because your daddy’s net worth would be about half what it is right now if not for those ‘spreadsheets.’”
Meredith spat, “You think we’d be nothing without you?”
Joshua’s gaze was ice. “No. I know you’d be bankrupt without me.”
Bianca’s lips parted. “Joshua… that’s not true.”
Joshua turned on her. “Save it. You show up for five minutes and think you’ve earned a seat at the table. You have no idea what this family’s been dealing with the last three years. You were off living your mystery life while I was knee-deep in balance sheets and supplier lawsuits.”
Bianca tried to look hurt. “Joshua… you’re making me sound selfish.”
He stared at her. “If the shoe fits.”
Charles rubbed his temples. “All right, enough. Joshua… I appreciate everything you’ve done. But it doesn’t change the fact Bianca is our child. We owe it to her to… give her everything she’s missed.”
Joshua’s voice was raw. “Including my place in this family?”
Charles hesitated. “Including… certain things, yes.”
Jaxon couldn’t resist twisting the knife. “I’m just glad I don’t have to pretend anymore. You always acted like some Manhattan prince. Like you were too good for everyone. I’ve never seen someone so fake.”
Joshua’s eyes burned. “The only fake thing around here is you, Jaxon. And your pockmarked face that your dermatologist still hasn’t fixed.”
Jaxon’s hand flew to his cheek self-consciously. His acne scars were his sore spot. “You piece of shit.”
Bianca gasped. “Joshua! That’s cruel!”
Joshua shot back. “Cruel? You two tried to replace me while my back was turned. And you expect me to wish you happiness?”
Jaxon yelled, “You’re nothing, Joshua! Just some kid they picked up from God knows where!”
Joshua’s voice dropped low. “Say that again.”
Jaxon leaned forward. “You. Are. Nothing.”
Joshua punched him.
It wasn’t even a dramatic wind-up. Just a sharp right hook that cracked across Jaxon’s jaw, sending him sprawling across the couch cushions.
- Writer
