The Unexpected Ally
1253 Words
Joshua tilted his head. “Ask your brother about those off-the-books shell accounts in the Caymans. Or better yet, ask yourself how the vendor kickbacks ended up in your private shopping fund.”
Bianca blurted, “Joshua, what are you talking about? Mom would never.”
Joshua’s eyes were hard. “You sure about that? You know how many invoices I’ve intercepted for ‘consulting fees’ that went nowhere?”
Meredith’s face went pale. “You little snake.”
Joshua sneered. “Takes one to know one.”
Jaxon interjected, “Don’t listen to him, Mere. He’s making it up to feel important.”
Joshua glared. “Funny. Because the auditors Rowland Enterprises hired last month are about to publish a very interesting report. Guess whose names are going to show up in the footnotes?”
Meredith’s mouth opened and closed like a fish.
Charles stammered, “Joshua… are you saying…?”
Joshua cut him off. “Don’t pretend you didn’t know, Charles. You’ve been sticking your head in the sand for years. Somebody had to clean up your messes. Well, surprise.. it was me.”
Meredith’s eyes glittered with rage. “You think you’re so clever. But you’re just a bastard child. Everything you know about business, you learned from living in this house. Don’t you dare act like you’re the hero.”
Joshua’s voice dropped to a whisper. “I don’t want to be your hero. I just want out.”
Bianca stepped closer, eyes wide. “Joshua, please… don’t leave like this.”
Joshua snapped, “Why? So I can watch you and Jaxon plan your engagement party on my turf?”
Bianca flushed. “It’s not like that.”
Joshua shook his head. “You’re right. It’s worse.”
Meredith hissed, “Joshua, you will regret this. When you’re broke and your family’s begging for scraps, remember you had a chance to stay here.”
Joshua grabbed his duffel and slung it over his shoulder. “You don’t get to threaten me anymore, Meredith. You’re living in a glass tower. And the cracks are showing.”
Bianca clutched Jaxon’s sleeve. “Mother… stop. Just let him go.”
Meredith rounded on her. “Don’t you defend him, Bianca!”
Joshua gave Bianca one last look. “Enjoy the empire while it lasts.”
He strode toward the door. But before he could touch the handle, a voice called weakly from the staircase:
“Joshua… wait…”
Everyone’s head snapped toward the grand white spiral staircase leading to the second floor.
Descending one step at a time, pale and trembling, was Miles Rowland.
“Joshua… wait…”
The voice was soft but rang through the penthouse like a warning bell.
Joshua spun around, startled.
At the top of the sleek white spiral staircase, Miles Rowland clung to the railing, pale as parchment under the recessed lights. A loose white Henley hung off his thin frame, and his eyes looked bruised with exhaustion.
Charles shot forward in alarm. “Miles! What the hell are you doing out of bed?”
Meredith rushed to the foot of the stairs, her heels clacking furiously on marble. “Miles, stop! You’re going to collapse again!”
But Miles kept descending, gripping the rail, determined. Each step looked like it cost him a year of his life.
Joshua dropped his duffel, moving closer instinctively. “Miles… you should be resting.”
Miles shook his head weakly. “Not… until I talk to you.”
Bianca hovered behind Meredith, eyes round. Jaxon crossed his arms, scowling.
Miles finally reached the last step, chest heaving. Meredith darted forward, trying to guide him into a nearby armchair, but Miles waved her off.
“Don’t touch me, Mom. I’m not a child.”
Meredith bristled. “You just had surgery! You’re.”
“I’m fine.” Miles’s voice wavered but held firm.
He turned toward Joshua, his eyes shining with a mix of desperation and affection.
“Joshua… I heard you were leaving. Is it true?”
Joshua hesitated. His throat felt thick. “…Yeah. It’s true.”
Miles swallowed hard. “Why? Because Bianca came home? Because Mom and Dad…” He trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.
Joshua tried to keep his voice steady. “Miles… it’s complicated.”
Miles clenched his hands into shaky fists. “Then uncomplicate it. Don’t go.”
Meredith interjected sharply, “Miles, this doesn’t concern you.”
Miles glared at her, a rare spark of fire flashing in his eyes. “It concerns me more than anyone else in this house.”
Meredith sputtered, “Miles.”
But Miles cut her off. “Joshua was the only person who visited me every day at the hospital. He was the only one who talked me through the surgery, who researched every doctor, every treatment. None of you even bothered to learn what was wrong with me!”
Bianca flinched, looking guilty. Jaxon shifted uncomfortably.
Charles opened his mouth, but Miles pointed at him. “Dad, don’t. Don’t pretend you were there. You were always ‘too busy with the company.’”
Joshua rubbed a hand across his face, his voice tight. “Miles… that’s enough.”
“No, it’s not,” Miles insisted, voice trembling. “Joshua… you can’t leave like this. You’ve done too much for this family to be thrown out like trash.”
Joshua tried to force a smile. “Not your problem anymore, buddy.”
Miles’s eyes brimmed with tears. “It’s always my problem.”
And before anyone could stop him, Miles fished a slim metal card from his pocket, a platinum Amex with his name engraved across the front. He thrust it into Joshua’s hand.
“Take it. There’s about ten grand on there. I’ve been saving it. For emergencies. If your real parents need help… or if you do… please, use it.”
Joshua stared at the card, stunned.
Meredith exploded, “Miles! Are you out of your mind? That’s your medical fund! You can’t just give it away!”
Miles ignored her, eyes locked on Joshua’s. “Take it. Please.”
Joshua gently tried to push it back. “Miles… no. You need this for your treatments.”
Miles shook his head, fresh tears spilling. “I don’t care about treatments. I care about you.”
Meredith lunged forward and tried to snatch the card out of Joshua’s hand, but Miles blocked her with surprising speed. “Don’t you touch it!”
Bianca gasped. “Miles, you’re going to hurt yourself.”
Jaxon scoffed. “Wow. What is this, some soap opera? You’re acting like Joshua’s dying.”
Miles glared at him. “Shut up, Jaxon.”
Jaxon blinked. “What did you say to me?”
Miles’s voice rose. “I said SHUT UP!”
Meredith barked, “Miles! That’s enough.”
But Miles turned on her. “No, it’s not enough. You’ve all been awful to Joshua since Bianca came home. He’s the only reason our company’s still standing. And the only reason I’m even alive.”
Joshua whispered, “Miles, don’t do this…”
Miles’s voice broke. “You kept me alive, Josh. When I wanted to give up, you wouldn’t let me. You sat next to me when my hair fell out. You snuck me my favorite ice cream even when the doctors said no sugar. You… you’re my brother.”
Joshua clenched his jaw, trying to keep his own eyes dry. “Don’t make this harder, man.”
- Writer
