Chapter 171: eting the Horaces [3]
Knox’s declaration hung heavy in the air, enveloping the whole room in saturated tension, seeping into every corner and spreading discomfort into everyone gathered inside.
His father’s expression, cold and stony, was betrayed by the slight flicker of his inner turmoil, cracking his highly guarded fortress of defiance and determination, displaying a tiny bit of uncertainty in his green-colored eyes.
Knox felt a pang in his chest. He could see his father conflicted despite the tough mask he wore on his face. He felt guilty, thinking that the reason his father looked unwell was because of him and his problems.
However, he hardened his softening heart and continued, "I understand your concerns, father. But Azrael is different from his...father. Please, if you can’t open your heart to accept us, just...let
go and live my life with him."
"After you did everything to get where you are? Are you not satisfied that you’re now part of our family? Isn’t that what you wanted the most?" Geraldine spoke disdainfully, her words like sharp needles hamred into his chest.
Knox was reminded of those tis she ntioned, he felt saddened, but he never regretted what he said. He smiled, at the woman who never looked at him for who he was, but for whom he ca from, lancholy.
He then spoke quietly, his words laced with emotions and fatherly devotion to his sole child, "I won’t let my child grow up like , away from his father, and forever be called illegitimate and a fruit of so lustful mistake. Knoa...deserves more than that. And I believe I deserve it too – a family of my own, sowhere that I’m...truly belong."
"So, you’re willing to throw us out to pursue what you want," Geraldine sneered, shaking her head and giving her husband a look that say, ’I told you so.’
Althea, who was silent the whole ti and just observing the situation, finally spoke, admonishing her own mother’s words, "Mom, Knox isn’t the one here thinking of leaving the family or not, it’s us, giving him that notion. If Dad opposes, he’ll leave, but if he gives his blessings, then Knox will stay."
Athan’s face was a canvas of exasperation. He could see the changes Azrael brought into his younger brother, yet those changes, instead of feeling resentnt toward the alpha, he felt sohow grateful.
Knox was no longer the lone child frightened of relying on others and being seen as a burden, no longer the boy who seeks affection and fears rejection.
Athan’s gaze moved from Knox to Azrael and then shifted to his father whose tongue seed caught from Knox’s brave declaration and reason. He, among all of them, probably understood what Knox wanted the most.
Knox bit his lower lip. It might sound like he was putting his father into a bind, making him choose whether to honor the living proof of his one mistake or just completely strip him of everything and chase him away.
The forr would be the most possible choice he’d make, so Knox prepared himself already. He squeezed Azrael’s hand, trying to siphon courage from his solid and warm touch.
Azrael noticed Knox’s fear, no matter how he tried to hide it from everyone. His chest tightened. He ca there, ready to sweep away Knox and disappear in the sunset if his father still refused to acknowledge them, but now that he was witnessing the distress and sadness swirling in his beloved’s eyes, he couldn’t bear to stay silent any longer.
He pursed his lips, lowering his voice as well as his pride, and he spoke, genuinely polite and desperate, "Chairman Horace, we are here to affirm our commitnt to each other, and if you give us your approval, that will certainly make us happy, but...I want you to know, I won’t back down."
His grey eyes blazed with conviction, resolute and unyielding, "Even if you hide Knox, I’m prepared to turn over everything just to find him. Even if you hated
to the core, I won’t do anything that would earn his ire. I won’t harm your family. This family is important to Knox, so if he wants to stay and protect it, I will let him do so."
Azrael sighed, scanning the whole room as though spelling out every word he spoke with emphasis for everyone to understand his intentions and see his sincerity. "I’ll protect what is important to him as well. I’m prepared...no, Knox and I, are prepared to face any conflicts that co our way together. If you still can’t find in your heart to believe , then," tapping Knox’s hand gently to let it go, Azrael rose from his seat, only to kneel properly before Nathaniel.
Knox exclaid in astonishnt, "Azrael...!"
Everyone was shocked.
Athan’s face was adorned with wide eyes and a gaping mouth, while Althea looked utterly aghast and in disbelief. Geraldine was speechless, in the corner of her heart, a small envy rose for witnessing such a desperate plea for love and freedom, sothing that she’d never experienced.
anwhile, Steve who stood off behind the sofa the chairman was sitting, shuffled awkwardly at the discomfort. Nathaniel’s stoic expression showed a bit of interest and his unwavering opposition toward the kneeling man cracked.
Azrael desperately pleaded, ignoring Knox’s struggles to pull him up, "Ask
anything that I may earn your trust and approval. I will do anything I can to prove it to you. Don’t disown your own child." His expression softened, taking the witnesses aback, "My adorable son will be sad if he won’t ever get to see his favorite grandfather and Loki."
Nathaniel’s lips tightened into a thin line. His narrowed gaze focused on Azrael, gauging the seriousness of his resolve, moved to Knox who was sporting a troubled look. The latter noticed his attention, so the oga briefly glanced at him, and at that mont, he was lost in an image that flashed in his head.
An ethereal-looking man with light brown hair that shone golden once hit by the setting sun, looking up at the falling magnolia flowers, smiling wondrously while cheeks were kissed by the gentle breeze, standing underneath the blossoming tree.
Nathaniel closed his eyes. Once he opened them again, he saw his son’s lover still on his knees, refusing to stand until he answered what they desired.
In the end, all he could do was massage his throbbing temples and speak, his voice a bit lowered, displaying his unspoken act of consideration.
"Do you understand the weight of your words? Ask you anything? Will you do everything I ask of you just to earn my approval? You see, this union you seek of, won’t be just a personal matter between you and Knox. Whether you like it or not, your father will co into the picture. Even if you claim you two are different, how can I trust that you won’t end up honoring what he wants and compromising our family’s standing and safety? This decision isn’t just for yourselves but for everyone connected to the both of you."
Azrael nodded, "I’m aware of that. I’m taking asures so that what you fear won’t happen. And if you doubt that I will choose my father over Knox, your doubts are on murky waters."
Azrael’s gaze held aning. His eyes darted to Athan, giving him a knowing look. Athan’s eyes shook in realization. He averted them and looked at his father, defeatedly.
Nathaniel understood.
He sighed and slowly nodded. "I’ll give it so thought. For now, stay the night here. Mr. Del Valle and I have plenty of things to discuss, so leave us alone."
Knox was reluctant. Azrael crouched and gathered his hands, speaking gently laced with relief, "Knoa might be looking for us already. I’ll find you once we’re finished." He leaned in and planted a soft kiss on Knox’s forehead, publicly displaying his sweetness.
Althea subtly smiled and tapped Knox’s shoulder, "Can we talk?"
Knox nodded, rembering what Athan told him before. He stood and bowed at his father, mumbling gratefully, "Thank you so much, father."
Geraldine followed Althea and Knox, but instead of pestering the latter, she went the opposite way and disappeared on the corner.
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