Weight of The Untold

Chapter 24

I looked up from my phone and saw my brother slouching onto the couch, loosening his tie. “Hey,” he said softly. “Are you okay?”

“Good evening. I’m alright… How was work?” He let out a heavy sigh and flopped back onto the cushions.

“That bad?”

“Filling father’s shoes is… not easy, Kid. Trust me.” I turned to face him, my hand propping up my head, elbow resting on the back of the couch.

“How do you mean?”

“I mean… everyone expects me to be like him. Super nice, super perfect.” I giggled, earning a glare.

“It’s not funny,” he muttered.

“Caleb, it is simple. Just don’t be like Dad. Be you.” He snorted, but I could tell he was trying not to smile.

“As if it’s that easy,” I said, shaking my head.

“You can never be Dad. You can only try… but never really be him. He wasn’t like his father either. He didn’t try. He just… lived his own way, knowing everyone is different. You’re different. You run your company your way. You treat your staff differently. Though…” He smirked, “same dress code.” I laughed, and the sound filled the room.

“It's just the fear of ruining things with my new ways you know, the staff and clients are used to dad's ways.”

“If the great Mr. McGregor trusted you to take over his company even though you weren’t related to him, then I think everything will be fine. It shows how much he believed in you so should you. I know Dad saw that too… deep down, he knew he was leaving it all in good hands.” And he did.

“Are you sure you’re seventeen? You sound like a seventy-year-old sage.” I playfully hit his arm.

“Honestly, Kid… thank you for that. I’ll take your advice.”

“Wise decision, bro.” I winked, and he returned a small, proud smile.

“I’ll go take a quick shower.” I nodded and turned back to my phone, but my mind lingered on his words.

---

“Hey, Meg… how are you feeling today?” I asked when her face popped up on my screen. She looked better—lighter somehow—than the last time we spoke.

“I’m… better, Ky. I’ve finally accepted my life, the fate of my parents,” she said, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

I nodded, relief washing over me. “I’m glad… I mean it."

"I called because I want to tell you something.”

“Should I be worried?” She giggled, shaking her head. “Hey—you laughed.” She laughed too, louder this time, and I couldn’t help but smile back.

“Ky, stop being silly. Well, I… I facetimed my dad last night. Which would’ve been your morning.” I let out a light laugh.

“I keep forgetting about the time difference. So… what did he say?”

She took a deep breath. “He explained a lot of things Mom was keeping from me. I realized I never really knew my parents. I thought they were so happy, always… pretending. Ky… can you believe I have a stepmother? Of course, they’re not married yet, but he’s planning to marry her… and she’s pregnant.”

“What?!”

'Em… you didn’t tell me this.'

'Kyla, I told you before—it’s none of your business. I don’t talk about others’ business.'