Chapter 40

At least that was what I thought up until five months ago. NO!

Up until 11 years ago when every single person that I trusted turned their backs on me. When they let their selfish motives drive them to stab me in the back. They did what was best for them not me. My mother was ashamed to have a woman like Diane carry her grandchildren. Eric hated his daughter for destroying his reputation. The rest I don't know or don't care.

Thad been betrayed.

Iwanted my boys.

My boys, I couldn't help but say that with pride. The day that I learned that I had twins, I swear my heart missed a beat. They were so handsome. They were identical, strong and I could tell that they were mischievous little imps.

Ican imagine me going along with their antics. Then leaving them to face the consequences and punished by their mother.

I can imagine teaching them tricks to get the ladies. To fight.

To defend themselves. To take random trips and just hang-out. Yet that dream will never happen. That dream is all but dead.

I was angry. How could this be happening to me? I wanted my kids. They were in my thoughts every single day. How they're growing up. Who they were hanging out with. What were their likes and dislikes? I kept thinking of what if I didn't sign them away. What if I had requested for at least joint custody? Or better yet taken them from Diane as soon as they were born.

I accept it. I was a terrible father. But everyone deserves a second chance. I had changed. I had repented. I had tried to win Diane's forgiveness. But no she didn't care. The monster would rather let her children be labeledas bastards than let me be anywhere near them.

I didn't know what to do. I had already fired those two incompetent lawyers. If this went to trial I was not so sure that Iwould win. And I, Collins Dwight always wanted to know if I could win.

What could I do? What could I say that will make Diane change her mind?

"Collins" someone called from behind me bringing me from my deep thoughts.

"I said get out mom" in a taut voice.

"Collins" she said in a desperate voice

"I said get out" raising my voice.

"Collins sweetheart please. Now is not the time for you to be pushing people away. We need to put our heads together and come up with something. We can help you. If you let us" she said in a motherly voice. The same voice that used to soothe me and comfort me as a child.

And the same voice that pushed me to destroy my life and steal the most precious thing in existence from me.

I laughed wryly. I couldn't help it. Then I turned to her in a bitter voice to ask "Just like you helped me to disown my own children?"

"Collins" she gasped clutching her chest.

I finally got why people committed matricide.

"What? It's the truth."

She looked down. "Collins that is not fair" she whined.

"Really? Weren't you the one who screamed and berated me for ever being with a woman like Diane?"

"Collins she was not right for you" in a defensive voice.

"Oh what about my children? Were they not right for me?

Come on mom. They were your grandchildren" I sneered.

"Collins that was a long time ago. If I knew what I know now I never would have done it. How was I to know that you could never have children?"

When the words left her mouth. I now realized how awful they sounded. I now realized why Diane might not want me to be near her kids.

I disowned my sons because they were disposable. Because they were not worth anything.

l as my parent had a choice. And I choose not to care about their welfare, let alone love them. It sounded so wrong. What kid would want to be in an environment like that?

I didn't answer her question. I didn't have the strength to formulate a competent sentence. So instead I picked myself off the floor and headed to the door. But before that I turned to the three hovering women. "By the time I get back I want you three out of my house" I growled.

"Where are you going?" my mother called.

"Away from you" I called back not bothering to turn my head. I needed to get away from them, before I commit an offence that will land me in jail. I grabbed the nearest car key off the garage and pressed a button. I guess I was taking the range rover. I sped out of the driveway and just started driving aimlessly. I didn't have a mindset. I

THIRD POV

Simultaneously as Collins pulls out of his driveway to start exploring the town of Proca 50 miles away, another meeting was about to be held. Unlike Collins who had no set mind frame and was slowly losing his sanity and wisdom, another man had all his affairs in order. This gathering some would call it sinister and others would call it a business cause. Whichever way you spin it there would be winners and there would be losers. The outcome would forever change the lives of those around them.

Sitting at a restaurant table at Book and Cup on 23rd Street a tall man with looks like Collins was patiently awaiting the presence of another man. He didn't bother to check the time or get irritated by his guest tardiness. He had all the time in the world. He could come back to this table every day for a year and it would mean nothing for him. Because he knew once he got his plan in motion it would only take a week and he would get results in his favor. Like the black, no sugar coffee he was sipping, his soul was dark and had no room for sympathy.

He faintly heard a hostess mention his name and direct his guest to his seat.

"Sorry I am late Heath. Traffic was crazy" pulling up a chair.

"No problem" he replied simply. "Want anything to drink?" he offered.

"No l am good."

There was a momentary pause. Each man trying to read the other.

"I think you know why I called you here Eric" Heath began.

"I have an idea" nodding his head.

"We are both businessmen. Very good ones at that. We have amassed wealth beyond anyone's expectation. But before business we are fathers. Nothing will ever come between our kids. Or grandkids. Today at court I came to the realization that I have failed my son" his voice somber.

Eric looked at him expectantly. He was angry with the verdict that the judge gave. But he couldn't fault the judge. The defense had very strong points. Their case was airtight and impeccable. He still couldn't understand how Diane had managed to snatch such good lawyers. Not only were they good lawyers, they were loyal and steadfast. Before the trial he had a man try to buy them. Offer them lucrative deals.

Anything that will get them away from his daughter. But they refused. They saw right through it and bluntly told the man that they were satisfied with where they were.

Now those were people to fear. People who couldn't be bought. People who couldn't be cowered into doing anything.

If he was speaking the truth he was scared of the woman called Nina. He couldn't put his finger on it but there was something about her that screamed danger.

"I failed him 11 years ago and I failed him today. Today at court, after the judge came in with the decision I felt like yelling. I had this rage of destroying that court room and burning everything to the ground. I was in pain knowing that the chances of reclaiming my grandchildren was slowly slipping from my eyes. But more than that I was in pain knowing that my son was suffering for a mistake you made"

"Excuse me?" Eric blinked at him. What mistake did he make?

"Yes. Your mistake of a daughter" not backing down.

"What?" he growled.

"Did I stutter? Your mistake of a daughter. The daughter you conceived because of your recklessness. Because of your indiscretion" looking him straight in the eye.

"Really? Now you are going to cast out blame?" Eric asked indignantly.

"When the situation calls for it and it is the truth sure why not" shrugging his shoulders slightly.

"Oh forgive me Mother Mary for not being holy as thou." Eric sneered. His voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Please Heath don't start. You and I both know that you have had your fair bit of "indiscretion". If I recall even at your bachelor party. You know it and I know it. If we look long and hard enough I am sure that some "indiscretions" will come crawling out of the woodwork. We are the same you and I. The only difference was that I was the unlucky one. I was the one left with the reminder"