Build And Break novel Chapter 19

And at that, Daniel was lost in explaining to Steven all about soccer, about his best scores. Jimmy had dozed off within a few minutes. Grace too had slept on the couch. Angela just sat on the other side of Daniel's bed opposite Steven. She barely spoke four words. She preferred basking in the sight of Steven and her son lost in conversation. Not in a million years would she have expected their first meeting to be like that.

After an hour of full-on ranting, Daniel had fallen back to sleep as well. Steven invited Angela for a coffee. She couldn't decline. She craved the caffeine boost. He bought them coffee from the cafeteria and decided to take it outside. They both needed the fresh air after a day in a hospital.

They had just sat on a bench when Steven spoke. "I'd like you to bring Daniel home with us."

Angela gulped the coffee she had just sipped. "First of all, your place is not home. Second of all, there is no 'us'. Thirdly, no, I won't bring Daniel. When the doctors release him he will go back with Grace and Jimmy."

"I'd like to know him." Steven admitted in a low voice.

"I can't agree to that. You may have ordered me to leave Grace and Jimmy to come with you and pose as the loving wife and loving daughter but I won't allow Daniel to be taken away from his family and be mixed in this whole mess we created."

"I am his father. I am his family." His voice wasn't the least bit angry. It was rather quiet. It was... hopeful.

"You missed your chance to be his family when you kick his mother out."

He stood from his seat. His voice rose then. His temper took over the best of him. "I didn't know you were pregnant, damn it."

Angela straightened up to his height. "And whose fault is that? Definitely not mine. And my son will not pay for your stupid mistakes."

Steven grabbed her by the shoulders. His grip was a little tight. "Yes. I am stupid. I have made a mistake. A big mistake, it appears. What else do you want me to say?"

Angela scoffed incredulously. "Finally, he admits. The mighty Steven Morris isn't so perfect after all."

"I never said I am."

"Oh, your actions always did." Angela wriggled herself free from his hold. "I'm sorry, Steve. Just because you're the most powerful man in town doesn't mean you get everything you want. Not this time." And she walked away from him.

Steven stood there like a stone statue. Angela was denying him to be his son's father. Her argument of him kicking her out and doubting her fidelity was valid. But he was Daniel's father. It was that his argument. And it was more valid than hers.

"Of course, I am, Jack." Steven asserted calmly but firm.

"Did you make the necessary tests?"

Steven peered at Angela from the corner of his eyes. Heard her short intake of breath, saw her mouth drop open, saw her hurt. "I don't have to. He is my son." Steven sustained affirmatively.

"Well, then," Marshall directed his next words at Angela. "The kid must come live with you."

"No." Angela protested, stepping in front of her father defiantly. "No, he will not."

Jack Marshall pointed an authoritative finger at Angela like she was a little girl being punished. His was all wrinkled with fury. "You do not have a say in this. You humiliated Steven enough as it is. How are we going to respond now when people ask where the boy was? We already lied about your whereabouts. What are we going to tell them now?"

Steven noticed Angela winch back from the venom spitting out from between Jack's lips. He went to stand between them like a chevalier to the rescue. "I'll tell them I was hiding my wife and son for safety. I am a hated business man after all. I've been threatened more than once."