Shadows of deceit : The Augustus secret

Chapter Twenty-two

Stefan

I sat slumped in my desk chair, my gaze fixated on a distant point, barely acknowledging my uncle's words as he spoke in front of me. The events of the previous day had left me restless. The blackout, and most importantly, Jess's screams, had roused thoughts I had desperately been trying to suppress. Exhaustion weighed heavily on me, my usually sharp mind muddled by the lack of sleep. I knew Jess was nyctophobic, it all happened due to an incident where she got locked up for hours in total darkness while playing hide and seek as a kid. Ironically, it happened in this house. It's funny how People often assumed that such a massive dwelling would be steeped in fascinating history, but the walls held whispers of deceit, lies, and pretense. I wouldn't be surprised if another traumatic event will take place in here again, in fact, I am expecting it.

My uncle's voice broke through my thoughts, jolting me back to the present moment. "Are you listening, Stefan?" he asked. I snapped to attention, straightening my sitting position and resting my elbows on the desk. "Apologies, uncle." I replied, giving him my full attention. "You were saying?"

He looked at me for moments before he asked, "Are you okay, Stefan? I know that we had our bumpy roads, but I am still you uncle, and I am genuinely worried about your wellbeing." My smile was tight as I retorted, "By 'bumpy road,' you mean the time you tried to ruin our family's reputation and had my father imprisoned?" His discomfort at my words was evident, and he sighed before responding, "It's much more complicated than that..."

"Oh, you're right. What's more complicated than betrayal." I laughed.

"Stefan, all of that is in the past right now. Henry is gone, your mother is gone. Like it or not but we are the only family you have left. I know you're a smart boy, and you probably even thought about it, but managing the Augustus business all alone will backfires at you and-"

"If you're expecting me to give you back your previous position then you are expecting much uncle." I cut him off, "Father may have been difficult about the whole situation before, but we both know he took the right decisions when it came to business, and I stand by his choice. You cannot be trusted." I said, completely dismissing his attempt to win back his title.

He sighed and I can see his dissatisfaction, "I really wish I can help you see the situation clearer Stefan, I know it's going to be hard for me to earn back your trust, but what happened was just..."

"I am willing to return whatever rights of inheritance my father took from you, that I am willing to do." I said truthfully, "But I am not going to have you back in business after you tried to frame my father for the illegal transportations you were behind."

His eyes held an apologetic look, a silent acknowledgment that he regretted what had happened. But words of forgiveness and understanding still wouldn't come from my lips. I am honest with myself, framing my father didn't evoke any strong emotions within me. Some would argue that he had it coming, even though he did manage to escape the imprisonment he so rightfully deserved. And although he dodged that fate, death was the one consequence he couldn't evade.

"Stefan.." he started. "My engagement to Jess is obviously off." I stated with a mocking undertone. "It was madness to begin with." I continued, my voice cold. "We will discuss the inheritance rights with Jackson another day." I added, leaving no doubt about my lack of further offerings. "Besides that, uncle, I have nothing else to discuss with you."

"And what of Isaac?" he asked.

"And what of Isaac?" I repeated.

"He deserves to be involved." my uncle insisted, his tone shifting. "I don't want my mistakes to affect my children." He declared, a hint of desperation in his voice. I calmly responded, "And what right is that?" My question seemed to have provoked a sudden outburst from my uncle. "His right as an Augustus!" he exclaimed, the words erupting from him like a furious explosion, expecting them to sway me, but I only offered a cold, unblinking stare. He took a deep breath adjusting himself.