Chapter 90
At that moment, Oliver could feel the frustration boiling in his chest, his hand unconsciously tightening around the phone. He could hear the irritation in Cora’s voice, the exhaustion from dealing with William’s antics, and it only made him angrier with his brother.
Then he sighed deeply, controlling his breath before responding.
"Cora, please, don’t let this ruin your day," Oliver said firmly, his voice low but intense. "I’m really, really sorry about what happened. William has crossed the line this time, and I take full responsibility for not putting a leash on him sooner. You have every right to be upset, and I’ll make sure this stops now."
Hearing Oliver words Cora didn’t respond immediately, but the sigh she let out showed her irritation hadn’t fully settled.
"It’s the best thing, Oliver," she finally said. "That’s what I’ve been trying to make him understand. I told him clearly that nothing is ever going to happen between us, but he refuses to listen. It’s like he lives in his own fantasy where persistence equals love."
Oliver shook his head bitterly. "It’s stupidity, that’s what it is. A man should have pride, not desperation. Gone are those days when you think forcing yourself on someone will make them love you. If a woman says no, you respect it, you walk away like a man."
Cora agreed with a curt tone. "Exactly. But William? He’s adamant. No matter how I spell it out, he just keeps doing this nonsense. But I’ll tell you this, Oliver: if he tries it again, this public embarrassment, the stupid surprises, the dramatic scenes, I won’t be so civil. I’ll deal with him appropriately, no hesitation."
Oliver closed his eyes for a brief moment, inhaling through his nose to steady himself.
"You have my word, Cora. I’ll make sure he hears me loud and clear. I won’t let this slide."
At that moment, Oliver’s fists tightened where they rested on his thighs, his knuckles whitening as he gritted his teeth. His mind was a battlefield, trying to figure out who he could even confide in about this. How could he tell Cora that the very man enabling William’s disgraceful behavior was none other than their own father? The thought of admitting that to Cora made his stomach twist how humiliating it would be, not just for him but for his entire family name. It was bad enough that William was acting shamelessly, but knowing his father was silently fueling the madness made Oliver feel trapped, boxed in with no respectable path forward.