Til Debt Do Us Part (Married At Midnight #4)

Chapter 38

Thirty-Eight

Dare

T he elevator doors slide open with a soft hiss, revealing the pristine interior of the Morgan Building's top floor. I step out, Talia's hand clasped loosely in mine, her swollen belly preceding her. My brother waits by the frosted glass doors of the conference room, arms crossed, face unreadable.

Talia squeezes my hand before letting go. "I'll be right here when you're done," she says softly, lowering herself onto a leather couch outside the room.

I nod, throat tightening, and push through the doors. Burn's impassive facade cracks into a smile as he steps forward to embrace me.

"It's good to see you, brother," he murmurs, clapping me firmly on the back. For a moment, we simply stand there, clasped in each other's arms. The knot of tension that's sat heavy in my chest for months finally begins to unwind.

Stepping back, Burn gestures to the glossy oak table. "Shall we?"

I sink into the plush leather chair, exhaling slowly. "I'm glad we're doing this. Moving forward, together."

Burn nods, eyes glinting. "Me too. It's time the Morgans present a united front."

I lean forward, steepling my fingers on the table. "No more lies. No more betrayals. We face the future as brothers."

Burn's mouth twists ruefully. "You're right. If it wasn't for Talia, I don't think we ever could've bridged the chasm between us."

I nod slowly, old regrets and hurts simmering beneath the surface. "She made me see what really matters. She's helped me realize how badly I have always wanted a family of my own. And she opened up my eyes to the fact that you and I still have a chance to be brothers again."

The conference room doors bang open, making us both jump. Our grandfather stands in the doorway, his hawk-like gaze piercing. Behind him, the lawyers shuffle uncomfortably.

Burn rises smoothly to his feet. "Gentlemen, would you mind giving us the room?"

After they've left, Remy stalks forward, eyes flashing. "What's the meaning of this meeting? Conspiring together, are you?" He slams his palms on the table.

I don't flinch. Calmly, steadily, I meet his glare. "Yes. We've been doing some thinking, Grandfather. About the past, the present, and the future."

Remy snorts derisively. "Don't waste my time with sentimental rubbish. Say what you came here to say."

Burn steps up beside me, shoulder to shoulder. "Things need to change. Starting today." His voice rings with quiet authority. "For the good of the family."

Remy's hands clench into fists, but he holds his tongue. His eyes dart between us, as if trying to find a crack in our united front. But Burn and I stand resolute.

Finally, Remy speaks, his voice dangerously soft. "You think you can come in here and dictate terms to me? I built this empire from nothing. Morgan Industries exists because of my sweat and sacrifice. You ungrateful brats owe everything you have to me."

I feel Burn bristle next to me, but I touch his arm lightly. "It's true, you created a successful business," I say evenly. "But the way you pitted Burn and I against each other, turned us into rivals instead of brothers - that ends today."

Remy opens his mouth to interrupt, but I hold up a hand. "From now on, there will be no more manipulating, no more emotional warfare. If you want to remain part of this family, you'll treat us with respect."

Burn jumps in. "Things need to change, Remy. For the next generation. That is, your great-grandchild." He glances meaningfully at Remy. "We will not tolerate toxicity or abuse. Not anymore."

Remy looks back and forth between us, realization dawning. We're presenting a united front that he can't divide. The twins have wrested control from the old man.

Jaw clenched, Remy gives one sharp nod. Message received. The Morgan empire just shifted on its axis.

Remy's eyes narrow, his wrinkled hands curling into fists at his sides. I can see the struggle raging within him - his iron will battling the inevitability of change.

"You expect me to just roll over? Give up everything I built?" His voice shakes with fury.

Burn folds his arms. "What we expect is for you to stop this pointless war between us. If you can't, you'll remove yourself from our lives completely."

I nod. "No more leverage, no more power plays. It's time for this family to heal."

Remy scoffs. "Family? You're just worried about your own skin."

"That's where you're wrong," I say gently. "We're thinking of the next generation now."

I glance at Burn and he gives an almost imperceptible nod.

"Your legacy," Burn says. "If you choose to be part of your heir's life. It is your choice."

Remy is silent, stunned. In this moment, the fight bleeds out of him. His shoulders slump in defeat. We have a checkmate.

"Alright," he rasps finally. "You win, boys." A wistful glint enters his gaze. "I suppose it's time to pass the torch."

Relief floods through me. The war for the Morgan empire is over.

Remy shuffles to the conference table and sinks into a chair, suddenly looking every one of his years.

"I don't expect forgiveness," he says heavily. "I know the damage I've caused. But I'd like the chance to make amends...to my great-grandchild, at least."

He meets my eyes pleadingly. I feel a pang in my chest. Despite everything, Remy is still family.

I glance at Burn again. He gives a slight nod.

"We're not doing this to punish you," I say gently. "We just want what's best for the next generation."

Burn steps forward and puts a hand on Remy's shoulder. "No more lies. No more manipulation. If you can abide by that, you'll have a place in your great-grandchild's life."

Remy places his gnarled hand over Burn's. "You have my word," he rasps.

For the first time in decades, the hardness in his eyes has dissolved. I realize with a start that they are bright with tears.

Burn smiles and squeezes Remy's shoulder. "Then it's settled."

He retrieves the legal documents from his briefcase and slides them across the table. Remy scrawls his signature without hesitation, signing away his empire.

There are no more words needed. The air hums with new possibilities.

Remy's hand trembles slightly as he signs the documents relinquishing control of the company. I feel a pang of sympathy for the old man. Despite everything he's done, this can't be easy for him.

As the ink dries on the paper, the weight of the moment settles over us. Decades of toxicity and manipulation are finally coming to an end.

Burn neatly gathers the documents and replaces them in his briefcase. He turns to Remy.

"Thank you, grandfather," he says solemnly. "I know this wasn't easy, but it means a great deal to Dare and me."

Remy nods, his eyes glistening. "I've made many mistakes. But perhaps there's still time for me to make amends."

He glances between Burn and me. In his watery eyes I can see a glimmer of hope.

"We'll give you that chance," I say. "The future starts today."

I step forward and extend my hand. After a moment's hesitation, Remy takes my hand in his own. His grip is weaker than it once was, but there's warmth there that I haven't felt in many years.

Burn places his hand over ours. The three of us stand in silence for a moment, letting the meaning of this new bond resonate.

When we break apart, Remy wipes his eyes discreetly. Clearing his throat, he says, "Well, I suppose I should go greet my future great-grandchild."

Burn smiles. "I think she's anxious to meet her great-grandfather."

Together, we walk toward the light of a new beginning.

Remy's steps falter as we approach the waiting room where Talia sits. He pauses just outside the door, uncertainty flickering across his face.

"It's all right," I say gently. "Talia has agreed to put the past behind her if you will. All we are asking is that you be respectful."

He takes a deep breath and squares his shoulders before pushing open the door.

Talia looks up from her magazine, one hand resting lightly on her swollen belly. She offers Remy a tentative smile.

"Hello, Mr. Morgan."

"You can call me Remy." He shuffles over to perch awkwardly on the edge of a chair near her. "I, uh...I know that congratulations are in order. I expect you're due any day now."

"In about five weeks." Talia glances at me, and I give her an encouraging nod. "We're very excited to meet our daughter soon."

Remy's eyes drop to Talia's stomach. "A little girl," he murmurs. "May I...?"

Talia nods and guides his trembling hand to rest against her belly. Remy's breath catches at the gentle fluttering movement beneath his palm.

As Remy feels the soft kicks of his great-granddaughter, his eyes fill with tears. Talia's hand covers his, offering silent support. For a brief moment, the three of us are united by the new life growing inside of Talia.

"She knows her great-grandfather is here," Talia says softly.

Remy nods, his gaze still fixed on Talia's stomach. "I can't wait to meet her."

I watch the exchange with a sense of heartache and longing. This was the family I had always wanted, a family that was happy and full of love. I didn't have it as a child, but I suppose starting now is better than never having it at all.

"She's really active right now." Talia presses her hand to the side of her belly. "I guess it's her way of saying hi."

Remy stares at her stomach and blinks back tears. After a moment, he clears his throat gruffly and pulls his hand back.

"Well, I won't keep you. I'm sure you're eager to get home and rest."

He stands awkwardly, not quite meeting our eyes. I step forward and clap him gently on the shoulder.

"Thank you, Remy."

Burn steps forward and pulls Remy into a rough embrace. Remy stiffens for a moment before relaxing into his grandson's arms.

"From now on, we're going to be the kind of family that hugs," Burn murmurs.

Remy's voice is muffled against Burn's shoulder. "Don't make me regret signing the company over."

"We won't." Burn pulls back and grasps Remy's shoulders. "The past is behind us now. It's time for a new beginning."

Remy nods slowly, a myriad of emotions crossing his weathered face. After a long moment, he turns to me and Talia.

"You'll bring the baby by the manor to visit her great-grandfather?"

"Of course," I assure him. "We're family."

Remy's eyes glisten as he takes in the three of us - his grandsons and the new life we have brought into this world. For the first time, I can see a glimmer of the man he must have been before grief and anger consumed him.

"Family," he repeats softly.

He looks decades younger in this moment, surrounded by the family he thought lost forever. The shadows of the past will always linger, but here and now, bathed in the warm glow of new beginnings, we are simply a family reunited.

Remy nods, then shuffles out without another word. But as he leaves, I see the faintest hint of a smile touch his lips.