Chapter Four

TRISTAN

I cleared the files about Willow, removing them from my desk. The smile I had earlier transformed into a frown as I picked up the call."So, how's the casino holding up, Tristan ..." I gritted my teeth, struggling to keep from yelling over the phone. If he weren't the senator or my brother, the thought of arranging a reunion with Dad, six feet under, might have crossed my mind.

"Doing just fine without you ever since you left." I smirked proudly. He swore the casino couldn't run without him, yet here it is, one of the most successful ones in New York.

"Too bad it could have been bigger with my brains and tactics. That casino would be better than what it is now. I'm not surprised you and Hailey dragged the family's casino into the dust. Dad would be so disappointed," he mocked with a sheepish gag.

"Typical. I should expect something like this from you, always finding ways to bring people down. Since you have nothing important to discuss, I'll presume to end this conversation."

"Before you do that, why don't you hear what I have to offer..." That caught my attention.

"Go on, I'd love a good laugh," I said. An uneasy smirk crept onto my lips as I waited for his proposal.

"Remember, I'm Mom's favorite, her little angel. You and Hailey were the bad seedlings always on Dad's side. I know you love Mom deeply. Recall how heartbroken she was when she found out you and Hailey worked at Dad's casino? When she disowned you both and came to live with me? Well, I can guarantee you, if you just comply with my offer, Mom will be kissing your feet," he said, resurrecting those memories—memories I desperately wanted to distance myself from.

"And what supposedly should I grant, Caden?" I asked, curious about his absurd offer.

"You know Mom always pictured you as a senator or a job more fitting. I found a spot for you, but only if you can meet the requirements..." he said, and I was already impatient with his convoluted game of twists and turns.

"Get straight to the point. I have a party to host in a few hours," I growled.

"You know what's best for the casino, so name your price. How much are you willing to give for the casino?" he said, and my head grew hot, blood boiling in untamed anger. How dare he propose buying the casino after leaving, after turning mom against us, after taking Tina away from me, after stealing money from the casino to secure a spot as a senator. The audacity of this man. The casino went bankrupt, and Jane and I worked our ass off, to bring it to where it is today.

"Listen closely you son of a bitch, if you want the casino you have to kill me. So stay clear and fuck off, you weren't there when me and Hailey built this casino to the way it is. The only way I'll consider selling it to you is if I'm dead. If you try anything stupid, I won't hesitate to shoot this time, brother or not. I will kill you," I scolded. He fell silent; he was still on the line, and I could hear him breathing heavily in anger.

"I tried doing this the calm way, Tristan , but you leave me no choice. If it's a war you want, it's a war you'll get. I will make sure to take back what's rightfully mine, even if I have to kill you both. I'll make sure to take out everyone you love and hold dear to your fragile heart," he scolded, and I smirked.

"That's where you're wrong, Caden. I don't love anybody, and I'll be waiting for you, you bloody bastard." I finally growled, hanging up and throwing my phone on my desk. I massaged my temple, resolute in not making the mistake of loving anyone after what Tina did to me.

WILLOW

I marched into the living room, as expected, finding my dad dressed up but sitting down to adjust his radio. I walked up to him and faced him, but he treated like I wasn't even visible. All he cared about was his damn radio.

I snatched the radio away from him, and he looked at me as if I had lost my mind.

"My radio, please," he finally spoke to me after four long years of pretending he was dumb, fooling me. I felt stupid.

"Oh, this..." I gestured, moving it closer to him. He shot me a wide smile, and that was it. With all my strength, I smashed it to pieces, throwing it across the room. He stood up, his eyes growing wide in disbelief and shock.

"Have you gone mad?!" he yelled at the top of his voice, adding petrol to the fire.

"So, those are your first words to me? Now you talk to me because of a dumb radio? Today, I found out that your disorder never even existed. I was about 16, struggling in high school, and the doctor said you had no signs or symptoms. You were only facing depression after you lost your job, How am I just finding out, oh right you hid the fucking results." I screamed showing him a bunch of crumpled documents, but that's not all..." I brought out some receipts from earlier.

"Mr Mosebush dropped your mail about your receipts you gambled all the money I worked hard for the past four years, now I know why mom left you I understand it all now you are a freaking bastard, nobody wanted to help you because you were squandering it all.

"Dad, have you ever considered the sacrifices I made? Throughout high school, I juggled four part-time jobs just to make ends meet. Despite the challenges, I excelled academically, acing my SATs with a perfect score. I saved enough to attend prestigious universities like Howard, Kingston, or Yale, but I chose not to follow in Mom's or your brothers' footsteps. I stayed true to myself, Dad, and I don't blame you, even though I should. Instead of remorse, I wish for the days back that I spent with you, only to be hurt by your selfishness." I spoke, tears welling up in my eyes.

"I'm sorry Willow, It's just, I did have a disorder and to worsen it your mother left, it was stressful and I didn't have a job to take care of you I'm sorry if I let you take care of me all these years" my eyes were red in anger after all he said just a minor sorry.

"Sorry? that's all you have to say?? you turned me into your nanny for four years, see this scar, I got it just from almost being raped today.." I cried

"You were almost raped by who ?" he ask, I just hiss under my breath

"Now, all of a sudden, you care? Did it ever cross your mind to inquire about my livelihood, or was that too much effort for your sorry self? Today, I endured a grueling shift on an empty stomach, subjected to insults and harassment not once but twice, only to be unceremoniously fired from both my jobs – all in the name of providing for you. I sacrificed my aspirations for med school, traversed through hell at your behest, and unjustly faced criminal accusations solely because of you. You, with your selfish demeanor, embody a devil – certainly not a father figure. That's it; I've reached my limit." With resolve, I brushed past him, ascended to my room, and began packing my bags. Fatigue from being consistently gullible and treated like a disposable toy had finally taken its toll. Once the last item was neatly stowed away, I swiftly reached out to Allison , signaling the end of my tether.

Me: "I'm crashing at your apartment. I'll be there in a few minutes."

Allison : "Sure, bring chips."

Me: "I'll try."

As I briskly stashed my phone into my pocket, I reached a breaking point. The tolerance had run dry, and I could endure no more. Heading to the living room, I observed the typical absence of my dad—he left, as usual, before I did.

Indifferent, I decided this would be the final instance of enduring my dad's nonsense. Spotting a picture of us, I snatched it up and tucked it away in my pocket, hastily wiping away the tears. Determined, I made my way to Allison's apartment.

TRISTAN

The party unfolded well, with numerous renowned proprietors and business owners approaching me. Some indulged in drinks, while others, like the strippers—among them, my sister—graced the dance floor. Hailey engaged in a lap dance with Jaxon, who seemed immersed in his own lascivious thoughts. Meanwhile, a section of the crowd was engrossed in gambling. The festivities took an abrupt turn when a commotion erupted from the gamblers' side.

What now?

As I drew closer an old man was arguing with some other gamblers.

"What's the commotion here" I asked trying to sort it out.

"This maniac strolled up, demanding his money back despite clearly losing the bet," one of them explained amidst a chorus of uproar from the others.

"Is this true??" I said bringing out my gun and pointing it directly at the back of the bastard's head as he threw his hand up the air in defeat.

"What's your name?" I asked as he slowly turned to face me and recognized him instantly he's Willow's father I dropped the gun slowly as the frightened man was about to go down his knees but I stopped him.

"Follow me" I growled, others laughed defining his doom while few pitied him as we both went to my office .

"What makes you think you can walk into my casino and talk to my customers like that when you know very well who owns this casino"

"Sir, please, I have a daughter. I foolishly squandered all the money she gave me, and now she wants to leave. I love her, sir, and all I did was hurt her. But I understand if you show no mercy and let karma repay me, even if it means gunning me to death," he pleaded. I couldn't believe the loud-mouthed, arrogant girl was the daughter of this man.

"Look, I have no interest in killing you but you might be interested in my offer to get back your daughter and you don't have to gamble." I ringed for two shots of the strongest gin, they were in small tiny glass cups, ten each, for us both.

"if you drink the entire ten without getting passing out, I'll give you half my property and of course my casino." He ignited a glimmer of hope as he adjusted his cup, filled up to the brim. We both began drinking, and by his second glass, he wrestled with the urge to get high. I refrained from touching my cup, observing him closely.

"I might win this if you don't drink" He teased like the fool he was, and my grin twisted into an insanely wicked one. I continued to watch him drink, not lifting a finger. His eyes grew unfocused, and he was now on his fifth glass.

"you didn't ask what I want if I win" my grin got thinner, he smiled sheepishly.

"I'm already winning, there is no way you could possibly beat me and please what is your offer" he said on his 7th drink, it got to him and that is when I strike and started chugging the drink one by one faster than him.

He was amazed and struggling to take his 8th shot but his system couldn't handle it any longer, I drank my last shot and he purges.

"I've won so I get your most prized jewel old man" I said in a cold and wicked tone, he tried to look me in the eye already drunk.

"I have no money remember and no house or anything valuable" he said as I pushed him, off balance and spat at him.

"You're right. I have all the money in the world, but my possession is nothing compared to what you have. I want what money can't buy—your only treasure, Willow." He grimaced in shock; the old fool had just lost a bet over his daughter.