The confrontation (Part – 2)

Elijah's shoulders slumped, his head lowering under the weight of his guilt. "I wronged you over the years. I am sorry."

"Sorry?" Nicholas squinted at him. "You think a simple sorry is enough to make up for years of neglect? For leaving me to suffer? For covering up Luke's crimes?"

His expression hardened. "I know you too well, Elijah Baker. You're not sorry. You don't feel guilt—you feel fear. Your apology is a pathetic attempt to make me forgive your criminal son."

"No," Elijah shook his head desperately. "I truly am sorry for what I did. Yes, I am selfish."

He swallowed hard before pressing on, "Luke is impulsive. He made foolish mistakes. I punished him." He paused, his eyes pleading. "But can you forgive him? I swear, he won't bother you again. Just… don't hurt him. That's all I ask."

'So this was it,' Nicholas mused bitterly.