CHAPTER 131: DINNER WITH DAD (5)

Nick’s POV

"That’s a great idea! I’d love to help you," Violet jumped in instantly, her tone way too sweet to be genuine.

"Me too! Count me in," Sarah added quickly, her voice almost desperate, her eyes darting to me like she was trying to score points.

But Vicky just shook her head, still smiling, though her jaw tightened in that way only I would notice. "As much as I appreciate it, I want to do this on my own. It’ll be my way of... de-stressing."

I smirked to myself because I knew exactly why she wouldn’t let those two anywhere near her plans. For all her calm nature and kindness, Vicky wasn’t blind. She might wear the mask of the mediator, but like me, she couldn’t stand Violet.

Not just because Violet hated me—but because she was the very reason this house never felt like a home. The reason why our real mother suffered in silence.

To protect her pride from my father’s betrayal, as she claims, Violet made him erase our mother on paper and write her name down on our birth certificates instead.

A stolen place. A forged truth. A crown that didn’t belong to her.

In the eyes of the people outside these walls, Violet is our mother, and because of that, I will never acknowledge her.

And every time I looked at her across this table, every time I caught that smug glint in her eyes, I swore to myself: one day, I’d strip it all away, I’ll put our mother back to her rightful place.

She made us grow up in this mansion, under her roof, under her rules, while our real mother lived miles away. We only saw her once a month—if we were lucky. All so Violet could parade us around like trophies, pretend we were her kids, erase any trace of infidelity. Her pride cost our mother everything. It still does.

"Go ahead and do that, Veronica," Dad said, voice booming with finality. "We’ll use it as the perfect time to announce Nicholas’s return to the company. Rent a venue that can hold at least five hundred guests.

I want this to be the event of the year for the Knight Group of Companies. Work with my assistant on the guest list. Tailored suits for your brothers and yourself, hire a stylist. I want my children looking sharp that night."

He leaned back, eyes glittering with mischief. "And send invitations to the single sons and daughters of our executives, investors, shareholders, and friends. Who knows—if we’re lucky, I could find all of you your future spouses right there."

I nearly choked on my drink. My jaw hit the floor, and judging from the wide-eyed stares around the table, so did my siblings.

"Dad!" Vicky yelped, mortified. "Stop interfering in our love lives! We can handle that ourselves. This is so embarrassing!" She instantly regretted ever opening her mouth with that birthday idea.

"Then prove it!" Dad shot back, his tone sharp enough to slice through the room. It was clearly a challenge. "Look at you four—still single, no children either, all of you wasting time.

Are you going to let me die without giving me grandbabies and a legacy beyond the company? Or do I need to strip you of your money and titles until you settle down and produce heirs? I am not getting any younger, and neither are the four of you.

At this point, I don’t care about your marriages anymore; just have a baby and bring it home. Is that hard to do? Or do you want me to hire a teacher for all of you on how to make a baby?"

I leaned back, smirking, loving every second of the tension. "Don’t worry, Dad. Your first grandchild will come from me."

His eyes narrowed, arms folding across his chest. "And when will that happen, huh?"

I gave him a slow grin, cocky and unashamed. "Tonight. I can make one tonight. As soon as I leave later."

*BAM!*

The next thing I knew, a serving spoon bounced off my head.

"OW! What was that for?!" I rubbed the sore spot, glaring at Vicky, who was desperately trying to look innocent while Liam snorted into his napkin.

Sarah’s gasp was way too dramatic, and Violet—God, Violet looked like she wanted to faint at the mere thought of me reproducing.

Even her son, Reagan, was trying hard to stifle a laugh.

I couldn’t help it—I laughed, deep and shameless. "Be careful of what you wish for, Dad. You might just get it exactly nine months from now," I said.

My dad squinted, and his nose flared. "You!" his nose flared as he pointed his finger at me, still thinking that it was a joke to me. But it is not...

I never thought I’d want kids. Hell, the idea used to make me break into a cold sweat or puke.

But now? Now it’s different. Just the thought of little Nicks and little Georgias racing through the garden, their laughter echoing through the walls of a home we built together—it makes something deep inside me ache in the best way.

I can already picture Georgia chasing them with that fiery determination of hers, her hair wild, her smile untamed, her eyes daring me to join the madness. And I would—every damn time.

We’re not there yet, I know. Georgia and I still have a long road to walk, full of storms we’ll have to fight through, enemies waiting to tear us apart, and ghosts from both our pasts ready to strike when we least expect it.

But in every step I take, every battle I choose, every risk I dive headfirst into, I’ll make sure my choices lead me back to her. Always her.

Because this isn’t just a desire anymore. It’s not just lust or fleeting hunger. It’s fire, blood, and bone. It’s forever. And I’ll fight the whole damn world if I have to—just to keep her in my arms forever.