Chapter 46 - The truth

Troy's POV

"You will regret it. You will come and beg for forgiveness." She stated fumingly and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

I exhaled loudly, closing my eyes while resting my hands on my hips. I shook my head and went to my son's bedroom, hoping he didn't hear all the things Kate had told.

As soon as Rose came back, I left the penthouse to attend the board meeting in the company; I was getting late; so I couldn't tell her about Kate. However, I guessed Alec would tell her about his aunt's visit. I planned to talk to Rose about it this evening after coming back from the company.

Once the meeting ended, my father and I went to my office to discuss the details of our new partnership.

Suddenly, the door opened, and Steven walked in, slamming the door behind him. He looked furious.

"Sir..." I stood up reflectively and looked at my father. He gave me a reassuring look and stood up.

"Steven..."

Without waiting for a second, Steven rushed towards me and punched me.

"Steven! Calm down!" My father demanded as he grabbed his arm and pulled him back.

When I touched my lips, the blood blushed on my fingers. I sighed, wiping the blood with the back of my hand.

"I trusted you and saw you like my own son. How dare you!" He shouted, trying to push my father away, but my father didn't move an inch, standing between Steven and me, shielding me with his body.

"Sir, let me explain. Rose and I didn't do anything wrong."

"Don't take me for a fool, boy!" He snapped, giving me a death glare. "I thought you were different. I accepted you into my family. But you betrayed our family. I could wait for it from Rosalie; she was always reckless, and she disappointed me again and again. I thought her bastard was the last scandal she could involve our family in. But you!" He added furiously and waved his hand in the air angrily.

I clenched my fist as he called my son a bastard. I was consumed with rage. How could he talk about an innocent child like this or his own daughter?! I was boiling with anger.

"Sir, I will not let you call Alec bastard." I warned him angrily.

"Troy, calm down." My father said as he looked at me while still resting his hand on Steven's chest, keeping him away from me.

"Why not? He is a bastard."

"Sir! He isn't. You can't disrespect him. He is your own grandson." I stated firmly, clenching my fist in frustration.

"It was her mother's decision. She should think about him before giving birth to that bastard. Probably, she doesn't even know his father. A bastard from an unknown man!" He commented in disgust. "I feel ashamed of a daughter like her. A slut who is ready to spread her legs for every man she sees! She will dump you too!" He commented bitterly.

I gritted my teeth in frustration, giving Steven a death glare as I tried to approach him, but my father stopped me, placing his hand on my chest, and shook his head, giving me a warning look. I cursed under my breath, running my hand through my hair, and breathed deeply, trying to calm down.

"Steven, please be respectful to Rose and Alec." My father demanded, looking at Steven.

"Alec's father isn't unknown. He is my son. So next time, be careful how you call my son and woman in front of me." I warned Steven firmly, giving him a death glare.

"What?" Steven mumbled in shock.

"Alec is my son, and I will not let anyone disrespect my son nor the woman who I love!" I said confidently.

He looked at me, stunned without saying anything.

"Did you make fun of me? We welcomed you into our family while you were playing with my both daughters! Did Rose was inside it too? Did you two fool us?" He snapped furiously, full of anger in his eyes.

"No, sir. It is just a coincidence. When Rose and I met, I didn't know who she was nor did she know who I really was." I sighed and explained everything to him.

"Meeting before doesn't justify your actions! You could tell us, but you preferred lying and getting into my daughter's bed while being engaged to my elder daughter." He gave me a disgusting look.

"Sir! I broke up with Kate before Rose and I got back together. I didn't cheat on Kate." I stated firmly.

"Whatever! I don't want to hear anything anymore. I will see you when Rose betrays you. However, you two really suit each other. Both of you are disgusting!" He snapped angrily and stormed out without letting me say anything.

"Damn it!" I exclaimed furiously and kicked the chair.

"Troy, calm down. He is just angry. He needs some time to accept it." My father said, trying to calm me down as he rested his hand on my shoulder, squeezing it slightly.

"Dad, I am not interested in what he thinks about me, but disrespecting Rose and my son, that is another story. I have already been angry at him because of how he treated my son. Now he disrespected my son and woman in front of me." I snapped and ran my hand through my hair angrily.

"What did he do to Alec?" My father asked, concerned.

I breathed deeply, closing my eyes, and answered him. He clenched his fist as soon as I told him about what Steven had done to Alec.

***

After talking to my father, I called my lawyer, Mario Dominguez, and asked him to come to the company. After discussing what we could do about the news, I left the company.

When I arrived home, it was late. I smiled as I saw Rose working while sitting on the couch in my study room. I tiptoed quietly and wrapped my arms around her from behind and placed a soft kiss on her cheek.

"Troy! You scared me." She said, placing her hand on her chest.

"Sorry, baby." I gave her a peck on her cheek and straightened.

"Is Alec sleeping?" I asked, resting my hand in my pocket.

"Yes, he fell asleep while waiting for you. I carried him to the bed." Rose replied as she closed her sketchbook.

I nodded as I sat down beside her and took her hand in my hands. Then I brought it to my lips and placed a soft kiss on top of her hand. She gave me a warm smile.

"What happened to your lips?" Rose asked, worried and touched them.

"I will explain it later, but now we have more important things to talk." I sighed.

"Alec... he told me Kate visited you." She mumbled and bit her lower lip nervously.

I breathed deeply and nodded. She ruffled her hair as she stood up and started pacing back and forth anxiously.

I gave her a compassionate look as I stood up and approached her. I rested my hand on her cheek and stroked it gently.

"Today, after I left the showroom, my father came there. My assistant informed me. He...made a scene there, searching for me." She heaved a sigh.

"Glad you didn't see him." I said in relief, stroking her cheek tenderly. "So after you, he came to me." I added, shrugging my shoulders, and rested my hands in my pockets.

"Oh my goodness! What did he do? I hope he didn't give you any trouble." She asked, panicked.

"It isn't important. But fortunately, my father was there too."

"Did he do it to you?" She asked, concerned, touching my wound.

"Yes." I admitted, rubbing the back of my neck.

"I am sorry, Troy." She apologized as her eyes welled up.

"It isn't your fault, Rose. And don't worry I am fine." I assured her and gave her a warm smile. She looked at me sadly. "I have important things to tell you." She gave me a questioning look. "I know it would be better if he heard it from you or us together, but I couldn't hold myself and told your father about us and Alec. I told him I am Alec's father."

"Oh my..." Rose looked at me with wide eyes, full of fear in her eyes. "He must be furious." She commented, ruffling her hair nervously.

"Yes, we can say that. But at least, he will stop calling my son a bastard." I gritted my teeth in annoyance. She gave me a slight smile.

"And Kate?"

I bit my lower lip, looking at her, and sighed. "She knows as well. I told her. I am sorry, but I couldn't hold myself when they were disrespecting my son and woman." I confessed honestly.

"I love you." She admitted with teary eyes and hugged me tightly. I hugged her back and stroked her hair, placing a soft kiss on her hair.

"I will not let anyone disrespect you and my son." I promised in confidence.