Chapter 178: Defying the Calder Legacy
Rhys
I yelled right back at him, pointing my finger directly at his face. "Like how I’ve felt all these years while you and father groomed me and tried so hard to turn me into your next puppet? How you trained me so relentlessly that I forgot what it was like to live freely? Or how hard I had to prove myself to you while struggling with anxiety, depression, and insomnia? Do you have any idea what I’ve had to face, grandfather? Father?"
"Careful, son! We made you who you are today. Without us, you would never have reached this point and—"
"No!" I screamed so hard I could feel my face turning red. "What you and grandfather did to me is far worse than that! You ruined every bit of happiness I ever had. Every friend I made, you made sure to send them away because you wanted a perfect puppet — someone to carry on your legacy for you."
"And you had all of that! You became who you are today because of us! I made you, boy. Without me, without the Calder name, you wouldn’t be where you are today, so you should be grateful! Not everyone has that grace."
I scoffed and shook my head angrily. "I think you’re forgetting something, grandfather," I muttered, ruffling my hair roughly. "I didn’t get to where I am because of this cursed last name. I am who I am right now because I worked incredibly hard — because you pushed me to my absolute limit!" I stomped my foot on the ground as I spoke.
"You got what you wanted after all because you groomed me well to be who I am today, so I’ll give you that. But unlike my father who failed, I succeeded and held the family up! I did that!" I pointed sharply at myself.
"For two years I led the family to victory and I am about to do it again. None of you — not even the forefathers — had a record like that."
"So you are indirectly calling all of us failures?" my father demanded.
"Yes, you heard right, Father. And besides, you were already a failure yourself."
My father’s eyes widened and his mouth fell open in shock at the way I had spoken to him. He had not expected it — the same as my grandfather, who now looked completely stunned.
"Is this..." my grandfather cleared his throat as he spoke, "is this why you called us in here? To lash out because of the announcement I made? Everything I said is because of you and I—"
"No," I cut him off before he could finish. I had never cut my grandfather off before. I had always waited for him to finish speaking. But I was over it.
The past few weeks I had spent on and off the ice had taught me so many things. Having Kayden in my life had made me fearless in ways I had never expected to be.
"Everything you are doing, have been doing, and have done has always been for you. It was never about me, grandfather. Neither of you truly cares about me! You both dote on Raymond far more than you ever did on me. I have seen the way you treat him differently. The harsh training you gave him never really extended the same way to him. You didn’t try to mold him like your perfect grandson!"
My father heaved a deep sigh, adjusted his tie, and slipped his hands into his pockets. "You can’t blame anyone because you wouldn’t be here, son, without us. Anyways," he paused and looked toward my grandfather, "now that you have called us names and dared to destroy your grandfather’s special trophies, what is the real reason you called us here?"
I wiped the beads of sweat trailing down my face. "It’s simple, father. Whatever grandfather said is not happening."
"What do you mean it’s not happening? You promised to do what I say!"
"I did, but suddenly you want to stop me from doing what I love most in the world? You want to take control of my life."
"It’s just for that season. At least until your brother rises in ranks. He will be overshadowed if you are still in the season. It’s just for a few months. While you focus on your marriage with Elian and..."
"There will be no marriage happening!"
My grandfather and father gasped at the same time. They exchanged shocked looks before turning back to face me.
"What do you mean you are not going ahead with the marriage? I already made plans. What happened to tonight’s announcement?"
"Cancel everything. I don’t care!"
My grandfather slammed his cane hard against the ground. "You agreed to do whatever I asked you to. Have you forgotten what is at risk if you don’t get married to Elian? You know what—"
"I am well aware," I responded immediately. "But I don’t care anymore, grandfather. I will not trade my happiness for yours. I won’t be going ahead with your plans no matter how hard you try to force me," I told him.
"What the hell is going on?" my father asked, sounding genuinely confused.
I chuckled.
"I see you haven’t told your son about the findings, right? No wonder he is your best puppet. He is so gullible," I clicked my tongue and then looked away toward the rows of trophies. "If he really cares about you, father, he will tell you what he is hiding from you. But I think he doesn’t," I tutted.
"Father, what is he saying?" my father demanded.
"Are you trying to challenge me? This is about that omega, right? You never truly broke up with him, did you?" my grandfather asked, ignoring my father’s questions entirely.
My father stepped between us. "What the hell is happening? What is it you are not telling me, father?" he asked.
"Tell your son about your findings, dear grandfather," I said, folding my arms as I watched how my grandfather’s hands twitched on his cane.
"Also, why do you think I would break up with someone I love just because you asked me to? You think you still hold any power over me like you did in the past, grandfather? No. You don’t. I am so over you controlling me. I will never be like my father no matter how hard you try to tame me!"
"Challenging me will only land you in trouble! You’ll regret this and I will make sure—"
I stepped closer to my grandfather, gently pushing my father aside where he stood between us. "No, listen to me, grandfather. I know how much you care about your trophies, so you listen to me this time. No matter how you try it, no matter what you do, the only person I will ever love is Kayden. And no matter how hard you try to sabotage what we have, I will never leave him. As for your threats — if you try to do anything to him, I will destroy your legacy by refusing to win that cup in front of the entire world. I will make you a laughing stock among your peers. So, grandfather, if I were you, I would think very carefully."
"Don’t talk to your grandfather like that!" my father warned.
I turned toward him and shook my head at his blindness to everything in front of him.
"Father, you are still as gullible as ever. Grandfather and your dear wife are both hiding secrets from you," I told him, then huffed and looked away.
"So, grandfather, find a way to tell your guests that the wedding won’t be happening. And if you want a wedding so badly, Kayden and I will gladly give you one!"
"You stupid son! How dare you—" my grandfather started, but then he began coughing violently. I didn’t bat an eye.
My father rushed to his side. "Rhys, are you trying to kill your grandfather? You know how he feels about that boy. What the hell is even going on?"
I half-shrugged and turned toward the door. "I have said what’s on my mind, grandfather. Remember what is at stake," I told him, then opened the door and walked out, ignoring my father’s frantic screams as he tried to call me back.
I was already done.
As soon as I stepped out, I slammed the door loudly behind me.
Once I was in the hallway, I hesitated for a moment, contemplating whether I should go back to the dining hall to see if Kayden was still there.
As I started to turn in that direction, I saw Kayden returning with Leo.
They both stopped in their tracks when they saw me.
Kayden held my gaze for a moment and tried to look away, but I smiled at him and called his name loudly.
"Kayden!"I rushed toward him and pulled him into a tight hug.