Lines we crossed

"You are just good for nothing!" Theodore shouted, his voice could be heard miles away from the wick's mansion as he roared at Ethan.

The tall glass windows of the Wick mansion stood out over the vast acres of green land and tall palm trees. The sun was beautifully shining in its glory, but inside the house, the atmosphere was cold and tense.

Theodore Wick sat at the head of the elongated shiny table in his epic dining room just across the main living room with his two sons. He is an influential man in his late sixties. His grey hair neatly combed to perfection and his dark suit, well tailored and neatly ironed showing the intricate details of the outfit. He had established an empire consisting of hotels, estates, and a multinational manufacturing company with everything having his name on it: Wick Holdings.

Tyler, the older son sitting on his right hand side, wore a charming yet deceptive smile. He is always elegantly dressed in expensive clothings. He mostly speaks politely in front of his father but a rebel behind his back. Theodore admires and favors him a whole lot.

To Theodore, Tyler was strong, smart, reliable and capable. He always said, "Tyler brings me immense joy-he's my pride!"

Ethan, the younger son positioned on the left side, sat quietly with his head bent, mumbling softly underneath his breath, having just been scolded by their Dad. He is in his early forties and had soft eyes that held pain and anguish. Unlike Tyler, Ethan rarely smiled. He had learned not to. Growing up, he knew he was not the favorite and had learned to stay in the shadows. With his feelings always being suppressed, he has grown to be a man void of love.

Theodore hardly praised Ethan; rather he gave most accolades to Tyler even when he did nothing and was always showering him with praise. Whenever Ethan tried to share ideas for the company, his father would totally ignore them or quickly move on. Even though Ethan was honest, hardworking, and loyal, it didn't seem to matter to Theodore.

Buried in Ethan's heart, was emptiness,stillness and sadness that had grown for years. He was used to being overlooked so he had stopped trying to impress his father long ago.

Ethan didn't want wealth, status or titles. All he wanted is peace... and his children's wellbeing. He wanted to be loved and validated by his father as a good son but got none of that even from his younger age.

He had two kids: Maya, who was 15, and Jason, who was 8. His wife, Lillian, had died two years ago after seriously battling breast cancer. Since her demise, Ethan had become an extremely quiet man, like a snail withdrawn into its shell. He focused only on raising his children the best he could.

He hardly spoke unless it was quite necessary and seldom laughed too. His eyes showed that he had been through a lot of pain, anguish, years of being unloved and trying to prove himself worthy of it.

After their breakfast, Theodore leaned forward and tapped his wine glass with his middle finger, signaling the attention of his kids.

"I have made a decision," he said firmly, staring intently into their eyes. His voice filled the room.

"Tyler will be the one to take over the entire company. He will be my successor, I want him to inherit Wick Holdings."

Tyler smiled wider, joy erupting from within him but pretending to be humble. "Thank you, Father. I'll do my best" he said softly .

Ethan said nothing. He wasn't surprised as this was the usual norm. This had always been coming. Still, it stung deeply but somewhere deep inside, he had hoped and longed for a different ending.

Theodore looked at Ethan briefly. "I know you're not happy with my decision, Ethan. But Tyler is the better choice, the earlier you accept this, the better for us all."

Ethan nodded slowly. "Uhmmm-If that's your decision, then I respect it."

But within, his heart sank lower, feeling more dejected. This made him realize once again, that no matter how much good he did, he would never be enough in the eyes of his father.

He gently stood up and walked out of the room without uttering another word. He went into his room, buried his face in the palm of his hands and let out a little cry.

In the evening of that same day, Ethan stood alone in the garden, watching the wind move through the trees. The sun was setting, casting orange light across the yard of the mansion. He thought of his wife, Lillian, how much he missed her voice and how she would have comforted him if she were here. Reminiscing on the times they spent together, a surge of pain welled up in his heart.

"She would have told me to walk far away," he whispered.

As he stood there in his thoughts, Jason ran into the garden, laughing loudly. "Daddy! Maya said I can't have the last chocolate".

Ethan managed to force a smile faintly, then bent down to hug his son. "Then maybe we should go buy more chocolates from the mall," he said softly.

Jason giggled. Ethan's heart warmed, even just for a second. He felt better.

That very moment , Ethan made a solemn promise to himself: He would never let his children feel what he had felt all his life. He would be the best father they deserved. Even if it meant leaving everything behind to start afresh with them.

They both went back inside with Jason holding tightly to Ethan's left hands with his tiny hands.

"Maya, why didn't you allow your brother eat the last chocolate bar?" he said softly, gazing into her daughter's eyes with a faint smile.

"Daddy, you know I love chocolates and Jason didn't want to share." Maya replied.

He sat down on the sofa holding both their hands.

"You both are all I have got , and I don't like it when you quarrel over petty things" Ethan whispered softly. "We are sorry papa they both whispered back." Ethan loved his kids more than his dear life now and has vowed to shower them both equally with all the love that he has.

He hugged and kissed their forehead, afterwards they got up, got dressed and headed to the mall down the estate gate.