Chapter 7

Aiden POV

When | lifted my gaze, the last person I expected to see was standing here. I know why he came, and it's because | chose Miley to return to America.

"You here? | thought you would avoid me for the rest of your life... How long has it been since it was just you and me? Three years?"

Nathan: "Why the hell did you send Miley over there? You know what she's been through,how frightened she has been all these years,and you sent her alone to confront those people? What kind of person does that?" I pushed his hand off my neck and sighed. I anticipated this reaction, yet it stings regardless. I'm prepared, to be sure, but it doesn't mean it doesn't hurt. Beyond that, |am also enraged.

"What's wrong with that? Miley agreed to go, | didn't force her. She knew what was in store but she consented. Are you afraid that upon seeing that person again, she might choose them over you? Are you that clueless? He'll never love you. In fact, I'd wager she forgives him before showing the slightest interest in you." | hadn't intended to spew such venom. I neither want nor expect Miley to forgive that person. I, better than anyone, understand her resilience. | thought long and hard before sending her off, but until she confronts it, she'll be chained to her past. I want her to be happy, even if, in the end, she chooses the very person | have loved.

Nathan: "Shut up! Dad would be disappointed with you."

Aiden: "And why is that? Because | set my sights on someone | should have seen as a big brother, or because I'm merciless with the family's angel?"

Nathan: "Stop this or I will. I'm not letting you force Miley to continue with this." Have I truly become the villain of the story? Well,that's fine by me.

"Force her? By all means, go and ask her.

In fact, if you actually manage to change her

mind, which | doubt you can do, I'll take her place."

Nathan: "What on earth did you tell her to persuade her?"

"Hmm, well, | can't recall. My memory is quite poor, but | will tell you | was persuasive enough for Miley to make her decision." He struck my desk; he's infuriated.

"You want to hit me?" He turned around, taking deep breaths.

Nathan: "If anything happens to Miley, I'll never forgive you, Aiden. You better fix this."

"Please close the door on your way out." He slammed the door so hard; | bet he nearly broke it. Now it's official: he hates me. But what really irks me is how, even when he rejects me with such desperation, he continues to act like the perfect elder brother, always patient and kind, even after

the way | acted that time...

If Dad had known, he would have been deeply disappointed. The only one who ever supported my impossible dream was Jessica,but she left us too soon. Everyone | care about, in one way or another, ends up leaving. If | can finish what Dad wanted for Miley, that's enough for me.

"Sir, your doctor called again. He says it's urgent." Again? | only felt unwell once, and that was weeks after Dad passed. I've been fine, but he persists. It's bothersome.

"Tell him I'll see him this afternoon. Annoying, but I'll go; otherwise, he won't leave me in peace. | know | need to eat well,sleep more, all that nonsense. But | have so much on my plate. Running such a large company isn't easy, especially with so many conflicts. I'll just nod and agree.

"Mr. Hales, please take a seat." I declined his offer. There's an international virtual conference right on my heels.

"I've got five minutes, so please, doctor, be

brief."

Doctor: "Well, let's see. The tests weconducted weren't favorable..." I already knew. The blasted migraines are the one thing | cannot shake, but what can | do? My lifestyle cannot change.

"Just give me the prescription and recommendations..."

Doctor: "You're not understanding, Mr. Hales. Your situation is serious." His face is very grim. | knew my neglect would have consequences, but this is too soon.

"How serious?"

Doctor: "Potentially fatal. More tests are necessary, but everything points to a brain tumor."

"I'm going to die? Ha, ha!" but honestly, | don't know how to feel. It's as

Doctor: "What is amusing to you?" I suppose my reaction isn't quite expected,if there's a curse on my family: first Jessica,then Dad. Now it's my turn.

"How long do | have?"

Doctor: "More tests are needed, perhaps

treatment, or even surgery. | can't beprecise with only this data..."

"Cut to the chase, doctor. How long?"

Doctor: "If the tests are correct, maybe six months, but there's a chance that..."

"Thank you, doctor."

Doctor: "Mr. Hales, where are you going?" | paused at the door; the clarity of thought I'm experiencing is unbelievable.

"To get my affairs in order. Six months will

fly by."

Doctor: "But don't you want to consider

other options? You have the means. My diagnosis isn't definitive."

"Yes, | know." | left. For hours, | was clueless, simply sitting and not thinking about anything in particular.

Death is always unexpected. With Jessica, we

saw it coming; with Dad, we never even considered it. Maybe | should listen to the doctor, but getting second opinions, more tests, it all takes time. Who will handle everything in the meantime? As president, I can't just disappear; I'd have to explain why, and | don't want to do that.

| picked up my phone and called.

Aiden: "Hello?" Oh right, he doesn't have my new number.

"It's me."

His silence tells me he didn’t expect to hear from me again.

Nathan:

"What’s going on?"

"You left too quickly, and I couldn’t share the decision I’ve made."

Nathan:

"And what is that? Are you sending me to the North Pole?"

"That would indeed be torture; you hate the cold. But no, as of now, you are the new president of Hales Enterprises."

Nathan:

"Have you lost your mind? Listen, I’m trying to understand you, but it becomes more apparent every day that it’s impossible. You're the only one who truly carries the Hales blood; no one else can take that place."

Someone will have to when I die; I can’t tell him that.

Nathan:

"Besides, no one can manage the business better than you, so I don’t accept it."

"You have no choice; I’m leaving the country indefinitely."

Nathan:

"Where the hell are you? I’m coming over."

I don’t want to see him; I’m afraid, and I won’t be able to keep pretending if I do.

"I’m in a motel, with a beautiful, tired, and naked boy sleeping next to me. Care to join us?"

Nathan:

"Damn it, Aiden,grow up."

I did, long ago; it’s just him who thinks I’m still the uncontrolled maniac in my love life.

"So that’s a no? Shame. Anyway, I’m leaving in a week. I’ll make sure everything is prepared for you and Miley to take over. I can’t do this anymore."

Nathan:

"So you’re just going to run away? You might have been his only biological child, but we all grieved his loss."

"You wouldn’t understand; he wasn’t your blood."

I ended the call and ignored all the subsequent ones.I just stopped going to the office. He doesn't know where I live, so no worries about Unexpected visits.

No matter how many years we lived as a family,we are now strangers.