The day began like any other for Kyle Thompson, but the suffocating weight of his father's expectations pressed harder than usual. The morning sunlight filtered through the high windows of his family's grand estate, casting shadows that danced on the marble floors. Kyle stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the perfectly manicured garden below. His reflection in the glass showed a man who had it all-wealth, status, power-but behind the polished exterior was someone constantly questioning his worth.
His father, Sebastian Thompson, had built an empire on his own terms, a sprawling business conglomerate that had taken decades to grow. It was something the world admired, but Kyle saw it as a burden he could never escape. Every day felt like a competition with a man who seemed untouchable. And no matter how hard Kyle tried, he always felt like he was falling short of Sebastian's towering legacy.
"Morning, son." The deep, authoritative voice of his father broke Kyle's thoughts.
Kyle turned to face him, forcing a smile. "Morning, Dad. Ready for the board meeting today?"
Sebastian strode into the room with the confidence of a man who owned everything in sight. His presence filled the space, leaving no room for uncertainty. "I've been ready for years, Kyle. The real question is-are you?"
The question lingered in the air like a challenge, one Kyle was used to. His father always seemed to ask the same thing, whether it was about business or life in general. It didn't matter how many deals Kyle had closed or how well he handled himself at social functions; in his father's eyes, he was still unproven.
Kyle clenched his jaw. "I'm ready."
Sebastian gave a curt nod, as if the answer didn't matter. His mind was already on the next thing. "Good. Today's deal with the partners from Japan is crucial. I expect you to handle the negotiations."
The request-or rather, the demand-didn't surprise Kyle. Sebastian rarely handled the smaller deals anymore, delegating them to his son to see if he was capable. But they weren't small to Kyle. Each one felt like a test he could easily fail, another opportunity for his father to point out his shortcomings.
As his father left the room, Kyle took a deep breath. He wasn't afraid of the deal or the negotiation-he was skilled at what he did, after all-but the constant pressure weighed heavily. It was like walking a tightrope, knowing that one misstep could cause him to fall in Sebastian's eyes forever.
The drive to the office was quiet, despite Drake and Illeas sitting beside him in the backseat of the sleek, black car. Drake was preoccupied with his phone, probably scrolling through some news about his father's latest political scandal, while Illeas, as usual, had a book in his hand. They were his closest friends, the only two people who really understood what it meant to live in the shadow of powerful men. And yet, even with them, Kyle found it hard to open up.
"Ready to wow the room, Thompson?" Drake teased, glancing up from his phone.
Kyle forced a smirk. "Always."
"Don't mess this up," Illeas added dryly, without looking up from his book. It was his way of showing support, though it often came off more as a warning than encouragement.
"I won't," Kyle said, the familiar knot tightening in his stomach.
The office building was as imposing as the man who owned it. Thompson Enterprises was a towering structure of glass and steel, dominating the skyline like a monument to Sebastian's success. Kyle had walked through those doors a thousand times, but each time felt like the first-heavy with the weight of expectations.
The boardroom was already buzzing with energy when they arrived. Executives and partners filled the space, each eager to impress or secure their place in Sebastian's empire. Kyle took his seat at the head of the table, directly across from the Japanese partners, his father sitting quietly at the far end, watching.
Kyle knew this was a test. He could feel Sebastian's eyes on him, waiting to see how he would handle the negotiations. The minutes stretched on as Kyle spoke with precision, discussing terms and numbers with the Japanese businessmen. He was sharp, concise, and confident. It was a flawless performance-at least on the surface.
When the meeting ended, hands were shaken, deals were made, and smiles exchanged. Kyle had done everything right. Yet, as he walked out of the boardroom, he couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't enough. It was never enough.
"Good job," Sebastian said as they left the building. But the compliment was hollow, lacking any real warmth. "You didn't screw up."
Kyle nodded, biting back the retort he wanted to make. His father's approval was like a mirage-always just out of reach.
As they drove back home, Kyle's thoughts drifted to Elena. She had been on his mind more frequently lately, her quiet strength a constant reminder of something genuine in his otherwise cold, structured world. In her, he had seen someone who faced life's challenges head-on, even without a voice to defend herself. It humbled him. For the first time, Kyle realized that maybe, just maybe, there was more to life than trying to live up to someone else's expectations.
But breaking free of his father's shadow was no simple feat. It was a battle he would have to face every day-until he could finally decide what kind of man he wanted to be, not the one Sebastian Thompson expected him to become.
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Silence Screams
Teen Fiction| ongoing | |First book of mine| ;) Elena has lived a life of silence-born mute, she has faced countless challenges, from being neglected by her parents to enduring years of bullying at school. Her world is shaped by tragedy and loneliness, but when...
