CHAPTER 46 Parting of the Ways

"I have everything that I want Father. I have a woman I really care for and a son. I will not marry some person you've chosen for me for the sake of the family."

"This merger is not worth millions, it's worth billions."

"I don't care."

"Fox, you are the only Crane male."

"You mean no other bargaining chip?"

"Put it as you want, but think about it. Think about the consequences of your actions."

"I don't care about me, Father."

"Obviously, you want me to resort to threats."

There was silence at the other line as Fox awaited what his father was about to say to him.

"Listen to this..."

Fox listened to his father laugh and felt worried.

"Your grandfather came with this ingenious idea."

"And what is this ingenious idea as you put it?"

"Easy. If you don't come back to Harmony and do what we ask of you, then you will never see a penny from the Crane fortune again."

"I'll survive."

"But that's the thing, Fox. You will not be the heir, you will have no Crane privileges, you will not have access to your trust fund, and I will not write you any cheques in your time of need. You and I both know that it's a cruel world out there, especially for someone like you who doesn't know the first thing about surviving."

"Don't worry about me, Father. I think I'll manage."

"Don't be so sure, Fox. I know how much money you have to your name. Not nearly enough to support that girlfriend of yours or your bastard child."

"The bastard child as you call him is my son and your grandson. He is a Crane."

"See, that's the thing. He might have Crane blood in his veins, but he is nothing but half breed. His name isn't on anything that is Crane. He will never take a dime from this family. This is what will happen if you refuse to come here. Not only will you be left in the cold, but so will your son. If I were you, I'd think about it long and hard."

Fox didn't want to hear anymore of this. He hung up the phone before his father could say anymore. He laid his back on the chair and stared into space. Sure his family was dysfunctional, but he didn't want his son to be deprived of what was his.

He stood up and went to the window and saw that Teresa's car was parked at its usual place.

"That's weird, how long has she been back for?"

He called her name in the house a few times, but she didn't answer. He went on the balcony that looked down on the beach. It was sunset and there he saw her standing there, facing the ocean. She was so beautiful with her hair flying in the wind. The smile that came across his face faded quickly as he saw a man walking toward her. He put his hands on her, but she pushed them away. Then he took her lips and she put her hand on the side of his neck. Fox felt his heart shatter as he looked at them. The man pulled away and he recognized Ethan. He walked back inside and sat down.

"What the hell just happened?"

***************************

Teresa had spent the day with Whitney, helping her pack her things before she headed to Europe to be with Chad. She then left and drove back to the house she was sharing with Fox and their son. A smile crossed her face and she thought of them. She was interrupted when her cell phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Teresa, it's Ethan."

"Oh, hi."

She was a bit reluctant to speak to him. He made her feel uncomfortable.

"I would like us to meet."

"No, I'm on my way home. Fox and I are going out to dinner."

"It will take 5 minutes, I promise."

She was silent for a second.

"I guess it's alright."

She arrived in front of the house and pulled he car in the driveway. She wanted to go in, but decided against it when she thought of Fox's reaction. She walked straight to the beach and faces the ocean. She loved the sunset in California.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?"

She turned and saw Ethan standing beside her.

"Yes, it is. Fox and I always make it a point to not miss one. It's like living in a fairy tale for a few minutes."

He smiled at her remark.

"You haven't changed, Teresa. You're still the beautiful dreamer you always were."

"No, I'm not. I think I got a pretty good dose of reality. Fairyland is gone for me, for good this time."

"Why would you say that?"

"Because it's true, Ethan. I think you destroyed everything for me. You damaged me."

"Then let me fix you."

"What?"

He approached and kissed her, forcing her lips to open. She put her hand on the side of his neck and pushed him away.

"What's the matter with you? Can't you take no for an answer?"

"I love you, Teresa."

"And I'm with your brother. He is the one I want."

"But you have been with him for a year and you can't even bring yourself to tell him how you feel."

She didn't say anything about his remark.

"I didn't think so."

"I don't have to stand here and listen to you, Ethan."

She walked away as Ethan watched her with a smile on his face.

******************

She got to the door and as she opened it, she tried to be poised. That kiss she shared with Ethan made her feel nauseous.

"Fox, I'm home."

She walked inside he living room and found him in the couch sipping some brandy.

"What's wrong?"

"Why don't you tell me Teresa? So were you really with Whitney or with lover boy?"

She looked at him horrified.

"It's not what you think Fox."

He got angry.

"Isn't it? And to think that maybe, just maybe you did feel something for me. I guess love is also a one way street. This relationship is a one way street."

"No, it is not true and you know it."

"Do I?"

"Yes, you do."

She walked up to him and put her hand to his face. He pushed it down.

"Don't even try Teresa."

"You know me better than this, Fox. He kissed me."

"Well, well..I don't care about who started this, Teresa. I'm tired of fighting what you feel for him. I'm tired of always been your second best."

"But you're not."

"Tell it to someone who cares. I'm going for a drive."

She went after him and grabbed his arm.

"You can't, you were drinking."

He pulled his arm away from her, almost violently.

"Look if I care. Besides, you will be rid of me more easily if I were to get in an accident. And here's an idea. Since you always hoped that my son was my brother's, you can go and raise him together once I'm dead."

She looked at him crying as he left the house. She didn't go after him. She just let him go. She went upstairs, packed her bags and picked up her son.

"We are leaving here and never coming back."