Not warmth.
Performance.
“Dad,” he said casually, like I was an unexpected coworker instead of family.
I handed him the gift.
“This belonged to your grandfather,” I told him.
It was an antique watch I had spent months restoring. Beautiful piece. Elegant. Timeless.
His grandfather once dreamed of owning one just like it but never could afford it.
To me, it represented history.
Sacrifice.
Family.
Brandon opened the box.
Barely looked at it.
Then tossed it carelessly onto the counter beside half-empty drink glasses.
“I don’t even wear watches anymore,” he muttered.
Something inside my chest tightened.
One of his friends laughed awkwardly.
I should’ve left right then.
Instead, I made the mistake fathers always make.
I tried to hold onto dignity politely.
“You could at least pretend to appreciate it,” I said calmly.
Amber sighed dramatically from across the room.
And Brandon snapped.
“You always do this,” he said loudly.
“Do what?”
“You walk in here acting like we owe you something.”
The room went quiet.
I looked around slowly.
Nobody spoke.
Nobody defended me.
Interesting how quickly people become statues when conflict appears.
“I’m your father,” I replied carefully.
“And this house has nothing to do with you anymore,” Brandon shot back.
That sentence almost made me smile.
Because he had absolutely no idea how wrong he was.
I looked directly at him.
“Don’t forget who built the foundation beneath your feet.”
That was it.
That was the spark.
His face twisted instantly with anger.
Before I could say another word, he shoved me backward.
Hard.
The room gasped.
Then came the first slap.
Sharp.
Violent.
Unexpected.
The second came faster.
Then the third.
After that, they blurred together.
I remember the sound more than the pain.
Skin against skin.
People shouting.
Amber standing up but not to stop him — only to move farther away so she wouldn’t spill her wine.
And through it all, I counted.
Four.
Five.
Six.
I counted because counting kept me calm.
Counting reminded me this moment would end.
At some point, the physical pain disappeared completely.
