His father finally looked at him.
Were those tears in his eyes? He looked away before he could confirm.
“Go,” Hym said from behind him.
“Do you want to take a walk?” Jamue asked.
His father nodded.
They walked around the garden in silence. Jamue glanced at him, wondering if he’d ever say anything. He became agitated as the silence continued.
He tried to think of something to say, but his father grasped his arm.
“There’s nothing I can say to make up for what I’ve done. I feel ashamed and guilty.”
Tears trickled down his face.
“I'm sorry, Jamue.”
Jamue's heart clenched. He balled his hands, refusing to feel sorry for him.
“Why? Why did you do it? You made my life a living hell.”
“I didn’t want you to suffer as I did.”
“What?” Jamue snatched his arm away. “What are you talking about? You never suffered. You come from a wealthy family.”
His father laughed humourlessly. “My family was wealthy once, but all I had left was our name after my brother ran away with an alpha, rejecting the alpha our parents arranged for him.”
“Uncle Hal?”
“Yes. He ran away and left me to deal with the downfall. Our family was ostracised. My dad couldn’t continue with his business. He had a lot of debt, so you can imagine what happened to us from then on. Dad couldn’t handle it. He died a few months later. My mother too. Your uncle wanted nothing to do with me. He had his alpha. But I somehow survived it all. I met your dad, and he saved me. He changed my whole life. I wanted the same for you. I went too far. I’m sorry. I should have asked you what you wanted,” his father grasped his arm again. “You’ve always been strong and braver than I ever was. You went out there and made a life for yourself. In a way, you reminded me of Hal. I got scared. I saw the same thing that happened to my family happen to us. I panicked."
“I understand, but...”
"I know," his father let him go and stepped away from him. "I've done enough damage. I'm happy you came out of it unscathed."
"I wouldn't say that."
"I know," he looked around him awkwardly. "We'll get going."
Jamue stared at him, his heart breaking. He'd longed for a relationship with his father for so long. Maybe they could have that now.
“Do you think we can start over?” he said.
“Oh baby,” his father cried. "I would like that."
"Okay," Jamue said, reaching for his hand. They walked around the garden talking. His father asked him about his work. Jamue told him about their upcoming sampling event. Excitement thrummed through his veins as he detailed every aspect of his job.
"You're passionate about your work, and I almost took it away from you. I'm sorry," he grimaced.
"Let's not talk about that," Jamue forced a smile. "Tell me how you met dad."
His father smiled weakly. "I'll make everything up to you. I promise." He patted his arm and proceeded to tell him about his dad.
When they walked back, Hym was waiting for them.
“Are you sure you want to bond with that alpha? I’ve heard that one of his stepbrothers is a service omega.”