Chapter 4

Staring outside his opened bay windows, he woke to the sunlight splayed over his blankets. It was yet another day. The weeks were starting to blur together, but he tried not to think about it too much, he wouldn't be around for much longer.

There was a knock at the door and a middle aged hare poked her head in, none the wiser to his grim contemplations. "Mr. Renolds? Breakfast is ready." She sat the try on the bed before pulling up a chair up beside to sit on. Under her arm she pulled a folder. "The lawyers came by and wanted me to give this to you. To look over."

Rather decrepit from his declining health, Mr Renolds struggled to sit up against the headboard. Breakfast consisted of what little he was able to eat, mostly hot mash with warm bread.

"Thank you Ruby." He said to the hare, eating what he could before pushing the tray away. Picking up the folder, the elderly echidna asked for his glasses on the night stand. "Good." He said, reading over the paperwork within. "I see he followed my instructions."

Ruby, who had been by Renolds' side since the birth of his only child, seemed confused. "They told me to take it to you immediately and not to read it myself. I suppose its something the staff isn't meant to know about?" With Renolds' failing health, much of the workers within the mansion were murmuring about finding new employment after his passing. Ruby figured they were none to pleased to work under Renolds' son if he inherited his father's estate.

"No." Renolds said, pushing the folder aside. "It's something I don't want Jax to know about...not yet anyway. I can't risk anyone telling him before I can." He handed the folder to Ruby, uncaring if she red the contents within. She had proven herself trustworthy in all the years she'd been with him, he knew she'd understand the gravity of it.

After skimming through the contents, Ruby pursed her lips. Renolds was expecting a more shocked reaction from her, but instead she stayed mute. (Possibly to collect her thoughts).

"Are you sure of this sir?" She finally asked, her voice hushed.

Renolds nodded. "I know I only have myself to blame, but then again, we both spoiled the boy." He noticed Ruby's shrug of agreement. "Bless his mother's soul, maybe if she was here she'd have set me straight. I can't rely on the boy. With the Prix coming up, he wont see to it the charity payments go out when they should. Food to the shelters and whatnot, I know he has no interest in it."

Had Jax's mother not died so soon after birth, maybe her invaluable reasoning would've saved Renolds from the mistakes he made. He just wanted to give his son the world, a life he never had, and now he seems to have created a child with no want or need for independence. "He spends his days cavorting off with his friends, without a lick of responsibility. I know I'm to blame for it all, but maybe this will give him the kick in the pants that he needs."

"Or it will make him resentful." Ruby commented. "You've already given him everything he's ever asked for."

Renolds sighed, leaning back into his pillows. "Then perhaps its best someone else should take things over after I pass." He frowned. "Its inevitable...I doubt I'll be able to make it to the Prix. I haven't much time left."

Standing to collect the breakfast dishes, Ruby went and pulled the curtains closed to save Renolds from the glare of the morning sun. "Well, if it comes to that sir, I don't mind watching over things until a new owner is named."

"At least I can rely on you." The elder said, tucking the blankets around him. "When Jax gets home, send him up here. I want to speak with him on the matter...until then, please keep quiet so no one else finds out."

"Of course sir." Ruby left the folder on the chair next to the bed stead before leaving the room and cutting the lamp light on the end table.