Chapter 11 - The Next Morning

The sunlight crept through the heavy drapes of the grand mansion, casting a soft glow across the room. Tristan stirred in his bed, rubbing his eyes and reaching for his phone. As he scrolled through the messages from Derek and Matthew, the events of the previous night flooded back. His father's argument with his grandfather, the tension still lingering in the air — it was far from over.

Tristan muttered, "Guess I'll have to deal with this eventually."

Just then, a knock sounded at his door, pulling him from his thoughts.

"Come in."

The door opened, and Jessica stepped inside, already dressed for the day, her expression gentle but carrying a weight of concern.

"Good morning, Tristan. How are you feeling?"

"I don't know. I barely slept after everything that happened last night. Dad and Grandfather… it was a lot."

Jessica walked over to his bed and sat on the edge, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Jessica nodding, "I know, sweetheart. It's not easy seeing them fight like that, especially after so long. But today's a new day, and hopefully, we can figure out a way forward."

Tristan hesitant, Do you think they'll ever make up? I mean… Dad was so angry. He's been holding onto this for years."

Jessica's gaze softened as she looked at her son. She sighed, knowing how deeply Magnus's wounds ran.

Jessica calmly, "Your father… he's been through a lot, Tristan. What happened between him and your grandfather left scars that haven't healed. But you must remember, they're both stubborn men. It'll take time."

Tristan nodded, though he wasn't entirely convinced. The weight of the family drama was heavy on his young shoulders.

Tristan said, "I just hope it doesn't tear us all apart."

Jessica leaned down and kissed his forehead.

Jessica replied, "We won't let it. Now, get dressed and come downstairs. We'll have breakfast together, and we'll figure out what to do next."

As Jessica left the room, Tristan sat for a moment, staring out the window at the estate grounds. The morning light seemed peaceful, but inside, everything felt like it was on the edge of unraveling.

Downstairs, Magnus sat at the long dining table, his hands wrapped around a steaming cup of coffee. He stared into the dark liquid as if it held the answers to all his problems. Eleanor entered, moving with the grace that belied her age, and took a seat beside him.

Eleanor greeted, "Good morning, Magnus."

Magnus glanced up, offering a curt nod in response.

Magnus, "Morning, Mom."

Eleanor studied her son for a moment, her sharp eyes catching the tension still in his shoulders.

Eleanor, "I can see you didn't sleep well."

Magnus, "How could I? Not after everything that happened."

Eleanor sighed, knowing that pushing him wouldn't help, but she couldn't let him stew in his anger either.

Eleanor, "Magnus, you've carried this resentment for so long. It's not good for you. Holding onto this anger won't change what happened."

Magnus set his coffee cup down a little harder than intended.

Magnus, "I can't just forgive him, Mom. Not after he abandoned us, after he left me to clean up his mess. He doesn't get to waltz back in and act like everything's fine."

Eleanor placed her hand over his, her touch warm and steady.

Eleanor, "I'm not asking you to forgive him right away, Magnus. I'm asking you to give yourself some peace. This isn't just about him — it's about you. You deserve to be free of this weight."

Magnus leaned back in his chair, his jaw clenched. He wasn't ready to hear it, not yet.

Magnus, "I'll deal with him in my own way. But right now, I can't let him back in."

Before Eleanor could respond, Tristan entered the room, followed by Jessica. The air felt thick with the unspoken tension from the night before.

Tristan, "Morning dad, morning grandma."

Magnus, "Morning, son."

They all took their seats at the table, and the room fell into an uneasy silence as breakfast was served. Tristan picked at his food, his mind still swirling with thoughts about the family argument. Finally, he spoke up.

Tristan asked, "So… what's going to happen now? I mean, with Grandfather. Is he staying? Are you going to talk to him again?"

Magnus set his fork down, staring at his son.

Magnus, "I don't know yet. I need time to think."

Jessica glanced at Magnus, her expression soft yet firm.

Jessica, "Magnus, you can't avoid this forever. He's your father. You're going to have to talk to him eventually, for all our sakes."

Magnus's jaw tightened, but he nodded, though reluctantly.

Magnus said, "I know. But not today."

Eleanor reached over and squeezed Magnus's hand, offering silent support. Tristan looked between his parents and his grandmother, sensing the tension but unsure of what to do.

After breakfast, Tristan decided to step outside for some fresh air. He needed a break from the thick tension in the house. As he walked through the gardens, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out to see a message from Derek.

Derek texted, "Hey, are you free? Matthew and I are thinking of hanging out later."

Tristan hesitated before replying.

Tristan texted back, "Yeah, I could use the distraction. Things at home are still pretty crazy."

He pocketed his phone and continued walking, trying to clear his head. The estate grounds were beautiful, but today, the serenity of the gardens did little to calm the storm brewing inside him.

Just as he was about to head back inside, he saw his grandfather, standing by the fountain, deep in thought. Tristan hesitated for a moment but then made his way over to him.

Tristan, "Grandfather?"

The old man looked up, his expression softening when he saw his grandson.

Grandfather, "Tristan. I was just… thinking."

Tristan nodded, coming to stand beside him.

Tristan, "Aboutd Dad?"

His grandfather sighed, nodding.

Grandfather, "Yes. I know I've made mistakes, Tristan. And I don't expect your father to forgive me easily. But I want to make things right."

Tristan glanced down at the ground, kicking a small pebble with his shoe.

Tristan, "He's really hurt, Grandfather. I don't think he'll forgive you anytime soon."

The old man looked pained, but he nodded, understanding.

Grandfather, "I know. And I can't blame him for that. But I need him to know that I'm here now, and I want to help."

Tristan was silent for a moment, unsure of what to say. Finally, he spoke.

Tristan said, "Maybe you should tell him that. Even if he doesn't want to hear it right now… at least he'll know."

His grandfather smiled faintly, placing a hand on Tristan's shoulder.

Grandfather, "You're a good boy, Tristan. Wise beyond your years."

Tristan shrugged, feeling a bit awkward under the weight of the compliment.

Tristan said, "I just want things to be better."

The old man nodded, his gaze thoughtful as he looked out over the gardens.

Grandfather, "So do I, Tristan. So do I."

As the day wore on, Magnus found himself in the study, staring at the documents on his desk but unable to focus. Jessica entered quietly, watching him for a moment before speaking.

Jessica said to him, "Magnus… we need to talk."

Jessica, "Magnus, I know this isn't easy. But there's something you're not telling me, isn't there? Why are you so adamant about not even considering forgiveness?"

Magnus stopped pacing, his back to her, hands clenched at his sides. He exhaled deeply before turning to face her, his expression conflicted.

Magnus, "It's not just about what he did, Jessica. It's about what happens if I forgive him."

Jessica frowned, trying to piece together his meaning. "What do you mean? What could forgiving him possibly lead to?"

Magnus hesitated for a moment, then moved closer, lowering his voice as though even in the privacy of their home, this was a secret too dangerous to say aloud.

Magnus (quietly) "If I let him back in, if I forgive him… it could lead to everything coming out. The family legacy. Everything we've tried so hard to keep buried."

Jessica's eyes widened slightly. She knew bits and pieces of their family's complicated history, but there were parts Magnus had always kept to himself. She leaned forward, her voice filled with concern.

Jessica (anxious) "The legacy? Magnus… what does this have to do with Tristan?"

Magnus rubbed his hands over his face, the exhaustion of carrying this secret evident in his posture.

Magnus (tense) "If the truth comes out, Tristan will be pulled into it. He'll be dragged into everything we've been hiding. And I can't let that happen. We've already lost one child… I can't risk losing Tristan too."

Jessica froze at his words, the mention of their lost child hitting her like a blow to the chest. She swallowed hard, her voice barely a whisper.

Jessica (shaken) "You think… you think it could lead to that?"

Magnus nodded, his expression grim.

Magnus (firm) "I know it will. My father's return… it's not just a reunion, Jessica. If I forgive him, he'll want to bring everything out in the open. He'll want to restore the legacy, to bring Tristan into it. And I can't let that happen. I won't."

Jessica stood up, moving toward him. She placed a hand on his arm, trying to soothe the tension radiating from him.

Jessica (calmly) "Magnus, I understand you're trying to protect Tristan, but keeping this hidden—are you sure that's the answer? Maybe… maybe it's time we face whatever this legacy is. Together."

Magnus shook his head, his voice sharp.

Magnus (determined) "No. Tristan doesn't need to know. He's already going through enough with everything happening between my father and me. If he finds out the truth about our family, it'll destroy him. I won't let him get caught up in something that could ruin his life."

Jessica (gently) "But Magnus, keeping secrets can tear a family apart just as much as revealing them can. Maybe if we told him… if we were honest, we could control how it's handled."

Magnus (sternly) "I can't take that chance. I won't lose him like we lost our daughter."

Jessica's heart ached at the mention of their daughter, the pain of that loss still fresh even after all these years. She stepped closer, her voice softer now.

Jessica (softly) "I don't want to lose him either. But pushing him away, keeping him in the dark… that's not protecting him. You're his father. You're supposed to guide him through these things, not shut him out."

Magnus (frustrated) "It's not that simple, Jessica. If I bring him into this, there's no going back. Our family has been guarding this legacy for generations. It's dangerous—more dangerous than you know."

Jessica searched his eyes, seeing the fear and anger boiling beneath the surface. She knew Magnus was trying to protect their son, but she couldn't shake the feeling that keeping everything locked away would only make things worse in the long run.

Jessica (thoughtfully) "Maybe you're right. Maybe it is dangerous. But if we face it together, as a family, we might be able to stop history from repeating itself."

Magnus looked away, his jaw clenched as he wrestled with his thoughts.

Magnus (quietly) "I just… I don't know if I'm strong enough to deal with this again. I failed once. I can't fail again."

Jessica reached out, gently taking his hand.

Jessica (reassuring) "You didn't fail, Magnus. What happened… it wasn't your fault. And you won't have to face this alone. I'm here. We'll do this together."

Magnus looked at her, his expression softening, though the weight of the decision still hung heavy between them.

Magnus (sighing) "I just don't want him to get hurt."

Jessica (firmly) "Neither do I. But keeping him in the dark might hurt him more in the long run. Whatever this legacy is, we'll figure it out, and we'll protect him."

Magnus remained silent for a long moment, considering her words. Finally, he nodded slowly, though uncertainty lingered in his eyes.

Magnus (softly) "We'll have to be careful. If my father suspects anything, he'll try to manipulate the situation to bring Tristan into it. We can't let that happen."

Jessica squeezed his hand gently.

Jessica (comforting) "We'll be careful. But Magnus, promise me something—if it comes to it, you'll trust Tristan enough to tell him the truth. He deserves to know, and he deserves the chance to decide for himself."

Magnus hesitated but then gave a reluctant nod.

Magnus (quietly) "I'll try. For Tristan's sake."

Jessica smiled softly, leaning in to kiss his cheek.

Jessica (whispering) "That's all I'm asking."

Magnus exhaled, the weight of their conversation settling over him like a heavy cloak. But with Jessica by his side, he felt a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, they could face the storm ahead without losing their son in the process.