The silence shattered the moment Henry's voice sliced through the music.
"You married him?"
The record player crackled softly as the last note faded.
Asher turned, his gaze softening as it met Henry's. There was fatherly love in his eyes, quiet and unwavering.
"You are my son," Asher said gently, "and I will always love you no matter what."
Henry sat in his wheelchair in the doorway of the study, his fingers fidgeting with the ring on his hand. He didn't lift his head.
"As long as you're still wearing that," he muttered, eyes on the band of gold, "you have nothing to tell me."
Asher stepped forward, calm but firm. "Henry—"
"Don't call me that," Henry snapped. His voice was laced with venom and hurt. "You don't get to say my name after screwing—" He broke off, chest heaving with emotion. "You have got to be kidding me," he said, pushing the wheels slightly to roll farther into the room.
Asher winced but didn't retreat. "Henry, I—"
"You what?" Henry's voice cracked. "You waited until I turned my back, and you… God, Dad… he was my boyfriend."
"Ex boyfriend," Asher corrected coolly. "He made it clear he wanted nothing to do with you."
"Can you hear yourself right now?" Henry spat. "You're the parent. You are supposed to be better."
Asher raised a brow. "Am I?"
Henry's voice dropped, pained and trembling. "I brought him to you. I told you he was the one. And you took him from me."
"Henry," Caleb said sharply, stepping in. "We were supposed to have gotten over this a long time ago. We should be talking about your health right now."
Henry ignored him, locking eyes with Asher. "I am fine."
"He thinks my dad made his money through real estate and stocks. Thinks you're just some wealthy businessman who wears custom suits and quotes Hemingway?"
He scoffed. "I know Caleb doesn't know who you are. Maybe it is time he does."
"Be careful son," Asher said coldly.
"I am not afraid of you," Henry hissed. "But he should be."
Asher's expression darkened. He looked at Henry one last time. "I will see you later son. Maybe this is not the right time to be here with you."
He turned and walked out.
Henry watched him go, bitterness in his voice. "There is never a right time."
---
Will and Caleb stepped into the house and froze at the unexpected sight of Evelyn sitting calmly in the living room, her eyes roaming the space like it once belonged to her.
Asher moved ahead of Caleb, walking halfway across the room toward her.
"Still exquisite as ever," Evelyn said, turning her attention to Asher with a faint smile.
"How did you get in…" Asher began, but his eyes narrowed in realization. "Your keys." He turned to Caleb, who was still standing by the door, silently watching, then back to Evelyn.
Evelyn shifted her gaze to Caleb, her smile deepening as she approached. "I should have asked you to send my love to your new lover, but lucky me—he's right here."
"Don't," Asher warned, stepping slightly in her path. But Evelyn ignored him and continued toward Caleb.
Without hesitation, Asher pulled a gun from his pocket and cracked it open.
"You don't have to do that," Evelyn said softly, glancing at the gun before looking at Caleb. "I must say... you are a beautiful man." Her voice lingered, her eyes meeting his with a strange mix of admiration and provocation.
"He's a good man," she added, turning back to Asher. "I came to officially say goodbye."
She turned on her heels and walked toward the exit.
"Why did you leave?" Caleb asked, his voice calm but curious.
Evelyn paused at the door and turned slightly to look at him. "Seeing you... it gladdens my heart to be called an ex," she said, then opened the door and walked out, gently closing it behind her.
Caleb and Asher stared at each other for a long moment, neither speaking. Finally, Asher returned the gun to his pocket.
"Does she know who I was to Henry?" Caleb asked quietly.
"I don't think she does," Asher replied, pulling out his phone and dialing a number. It was answered immediately.
"I have a job for you," he said into the receiver, his tone cold and purposeful.
Caleb stood nearby, watching him with uncertainty.
"She left," Asher murmured without looking at Caleb, "when she found out I was gay." Then he turned and walked upstairs, leaving Caleb standing alone in the quiet living room.
---
Later that night, Caleb stood by the tall glass windows, arms wrapped tightly around himself.
Asher walked up behind him, a glass of whiskey in hand.
"Sweetheart?" he asked softly.
Caleb hesitated, then turned to face him. His eyes searched Asher's face. "Why?"
"Why what?" Asher murmured, brushing his fingers gently across Caleb's chest.
"You…" Caleb swallowed hard. "A mafia?"
Asher looked away for a moment. His voice turned cold. "Now you know."
He walked to the bed and sat down.
Caleb followed slowly, his voice trembling. "All this while, I talked to you about Jaden. I begged for your help."
"And I did what you asked," Asher cut in quietly.
"You almost killed him," Caleb said, sitting on the edge of the bed beside him. "Darling, you almost did."
Silence fell between them.
"I am so sorry," Asher said, inching closer. "Somehow, he is the reason for what happened to Henry."
Caleb looked at him, speechless.
"I know I never told you… I am—"
"Capo Nero," Caleb said quietly. "He told us."
They looked at each other in silence.
Just then, Asher's phone rang.
He answered without speaking.
"Your son met with an old friend of yours," the voice on the other end said.
Asher's brow furrowed. He exhaled, low and steady.
"I know who you are," Asher said grimly. "Valen."