Prologue
4 years ago…
The newspaper hit the desk with a loud thud that echoed around the room. Caleb stared at it, expressionless, but the look on Callum’s face was nothing short of horrified. Charles Hawkings, their father, had called them for a meeting minutes ago, but nothing had been said. Then, suddenly, he’d slammed the newspaper on the desk, startling them both.
“You can read, can’t you, Callum?” Charles said quietly, breathing in deeply like he was restraining himself from killing someone. Callum hesitated, saying nothing. Then finally, he muttered a quiet, “Yes, sir.”
“Read the headlines.” He instructed. Callum flinched and picked up the paper.
“Billionaire heir Callum Hawkins rumored to have impregnated two girls-”
“Two girls!” Charles exclaimed, interrupting Callum and adding emphasis, “You went ahead to screw not one but two girls at a club, at the same time...”
Charles ranted and paused, casting a disgusted look at Callum. Caleb’s eyes widened in shock at hearing the situation. A small chuckle left his lips, making Callum glare at him.
“Two girls?” Caleb teased, “How greedy of-.”
“You are not one to talk. Skipping class, getting drunk, and getting expelled from two consecutive high schools. You barely managed to graduate from the third.” Charles snapped, casting Caleb a dark look, making him stop mid-sentence.
Charles took a deep breath, running a hand through his greying hair tiredly.
“This all ends today.” He finally spoke, his tone leaving no room for argument. “I will not sit back and watch my eldest sons live reckless lives because they think that there are no consequences. There are consequences.”
Charles turned to Callum and spoke directly to him.
“The fact that you got two girls pregnant is shameful, but it will be handled quietly.” Charles announced, “As for the consequence, you are no longer my sole heir; that position is now open to any of your brothers. Callum visibly paled, his eyes widening as he struggled to understand what his father was saying.
“That’s so unnec-”
Charles held up a hand, silencing Callum from speaking further. He turned to Caleb next.
“You have potential, Caleb. You got accepted into NYU. You’re smart. Smarter than your brothers,” He cast a glance at Callum, who in turn scoffed. “If you can make it through the university with a low profile and no trouble, the business is yours. One slip-up, one scandal, and it’s all gone.
Callum, still astounded, said, “Father, you can’t be serious. I have worked my whole life for this, and you’re going to give it all to him? He’ll run your company to the ground-”
“Well, you’d better hope he messes up, then.”
Callum stalked out of the office in disbelief and barely controlled rage. Charles sat down heavily on the chair, the weight of the last few days weighing heavily on his shoulders. Suddenly, he wasn’t Charles Hawkins, owner of a multi-billion-dollar company. He was just a father disappointed in his sons.
“Listen”, Caleb started, “I’m-”
“Save it, Caleb. I don’t want to hear it right now.” The disappointment, evident in his voice, gnawed at Caleb’s conscience. Caleb walked out of the office and passed his mom in the hallway, who gave his hand a light squeeze and kissed his cheek.
“Give him time”, she whispered.
He couldn’t afford to let his dad down again.
