Then, finally, he speaks.
"He's never been a good father, you know." His voice is flat and detached.
I step closer, my heart racing.
Adrian exhales slowly, still facing the window.
"Never said I love you. Never said he was proud. Just barking fucking orders while his old-school communist mindset almost destroyed this family," he says and stops, shaking his head.
"And when our mom died," he continues, "he just got worse."
The words hang in the air, and I'm not too sure what to say.
I watch the tension in his back.
"Fuck," he says, turning to face me.
He looks down, and his dark eyes lock onto mine.
"Our family would be in the ground if it wasn't for all of us going against him. Matei's work with the Killaneys and our expansion in LA. Victor's surge in politics. Lucian and my work with families our father hated. All of it done without his approval. And all of it helping this family be stronger than it ever has been or ever could be under him."
His voice is rising now, the calm slipping just slightly.
I nod, my throat tight, having no idea what to say.
"I'm sure he cared about you," I offer timidly.
Adrian's jaw muscles flex.
"No. Bullshit. He's always been some misfocused, abusive piece of shit. How many times have I complained about him to you throughout my life? How many times has he treated me or my brothers like trash?"
"Yes, I know, but?—"
"But nothing!" he yells, his voice thunderous through the room.
I flinch, and he sees it.
His face relaxes, and he reaches for me, his good hand gripping my arm gently.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry," he says quickly, his voice softer now. "It's just… what he did, it can never be forgiven. And he knew how I felt about you."
Adrian releases me and starts pacing. The calm is gone now, replaced by frustration and anger.
"Two days before you disappeared, I told him I was going to marry you."
My breath catches.
Adrian stops and rubs his cheek.
"And he encouraged it. He smiled. He fucking smiled and told me I'd make a good husband."
He scoffs and continues pacing.
"And then he stood by my side when I buried you," he continues and stops in front of a chair.
"Motherfucker," he yells and kicks it, sending it flying across the room.
I stare at him, my mind spinning.