Unresolved Hatred ( Hatred 2)

Prologue

James Hurley studied the boy in front of him. He saw the sadness he try to hide but failed to. His heart broke for the poor thing that didn't ask for the life he was brought into. His grandson was hurting and that pained James immensely.

He remembered the larger than life boy that lit up the room with his smile, now that boy had turned into a shell of himself. His forced smile couldn't fool James, not when he knew the difference.

The boy hesitantly glance up in between spoons, his lips quivering slightly.

James suspected the boy had something he needed to ask and he was sure what it could be but decided to ask him instead.

"Aiden dear, is something bothering you?"

Aiden looked away from his IPad by his plate of chicken fried rice before turning those familiar eyes to him.

He chewed his lips in fear before answering the question. "I got into a fight at school" The little boy muttered before hanging his head down in shame.

James blinked in surprise at the revelation. Aiden was not a trouble maker; he was more of a walk-away kind of child so James was indeed surprised to hear of the news. When did his innocent boy turn to violence?

"Aiden, you know better than that. Why would you do that?" He asked in a calm tone trying not to scare the already scared boy further.

He watched Aiden deliberately avoid making eye contact with him as he looked everywhere but his eyes.

"He called me a...a. ba.stard" Aiden whispered the last word so low that if he wasn't watching him intently he wouldn't have caught it.

James sat speechless, unable to get his mouth to obey him for once in his life. To say he was stunned would be gravelly understated.

With hands clenched by his side, his shock quickly turned into anger at the good for nothing idiot that dared called his grandson a bastard. He suddenly wished he could teach the little twat a lesson or two on manners.

"Aiden..." the poor boy looked up with tears welling his eyes. The sight broke James heart into a million pieces as goose bumps broke all over his wrinkling skin. The weather in the restaurant suddenly felt too cold despite the cardigan he was wearing.

"Aiden, you are not a bastard" He managed to bit out despite the lump in his throat.

Aiden nodded but didn't look convinced. The sadness in his eyes were replaced with resignation as he looked away. He wanted to say more but he knew whatever he had to say was not what Aiden wanted to hear.

It had been almost two years since the last time Aiden had asked about his father. The answer he gave him then was not better than what he had now; he couldn't tell the boy what he wanted to hear.

As he continued to study him, he noticed the gleams of defiant and rebellion forcing its way out of the well-mannered child he once knew.

This was what James was hoping to avoid by wanting his grandson to be raised in a home with both of his parents together. It was clear as day that Aiden was starting to use violence to cope with his feelings.

The boy needed his father especially at such crucial age. Yes, Michael had been there for him but there was nothing like a father's love.

Oh Ash. Oh Emily. What have you both done?

James knew he couldn't blame Emily; she had done her part after all. She had done a great job raising such an amazing young man. Aiden was every father's dream child. Smart, humble and level-headed. He was his mother's pride and joy.

Oh Ash. How can you not want such perfection?

With his mind made up, James knew what he had to do. He admired Emily's strong will but it was time the boy knew his father. He had waited too long for them to do the right thing which didn't look to be happening any time soon.

Aiden was suffering as a result of both of their stubbornness, especially Ash's. James silently made a vow to himself to stop the boy's suffering right then and now.

Enough was a definitely enough. It was time to take matters into his own hands.