A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust

"Archie! How the hell did I end up with a son like you?!"

Archie barely flinched when the coffee mug smashed against his cheek, raising a nasty welt. He just glanced at Gavin, cool as ice. "Trust me, I wish you hadn't."

"You—!" Gavin's face turned beet red as he glared at his son.

"You're no son of mine!"

"Well, I'm sure as hell not looking for a dad like you," Archie shot back with a mirthless laugh.

He rubbed his stinging cheek and made for the door.

"Hey, bro, where are you going?" Chester called out from the dining room, "Christmas dinner's not even on the table yet! At least stay for the turkey, man!"

"Wait, weren't you into that girl Callie? Since when do you like guys?" Chester's face was a mix of confusion and shameless curiosity. "I mean, can a guy even be called Callie?"

Willow, standing by the kitchen with a bowl of mashed potatoes, glanced over as well, a hint of intrigue in her gaze.

She'd heard about Calliope, Archie's close friend, never quite clear on whether they were just friends or something more. Archie always seemed to care a lot about Calliope, so she'd assumed they were a thing.

But now Archie was saying he liked men? Honestly, she didn't care. If it caused a rift between Gavin and Archie, she'd be glad. She knew Gavin didn't really like Archie all that much, but he was still his son. There was no way Gavin would ever cut Archie off completely, or leave him out of the will.

Archie was doing well at the family company, too. Some of the old-timers even said Archie would make a fine successor one day.

If Archie inherited the business, what would happen to her own son, Chester? That's why she'd always pushed for Archie to get married off, so he wouldn't get in Chester's way.

Now Archie coming out was a blessing in disguise for her.

Gavin stormed across the living room and blocked the door, arms crossed.

"Where do you think you're going, on Christmas Eve of all nights? Did I say you could leave?"

"Not even a word to anyone, you just want to take off?" Gavin's voice was shaking with anger. "You've got no manners, Archie. I don't understand you at all anymore."

Archie gave a cold laugh. "You don't understand me? That's because you've never even tried!"noveldrama

"Step aside, I'm leaving."

"Leaving for where?" Gavin's voice was icy. "I don't care if you like men, women, or your damn dog. Just keep your mouth shut about it, and who would ever know?"

"I'm warning you, whatever you're into, you keep it to yourself! You're still going to meet Ms. Yalton like we agreed! I promised the Yalton family, and you're going. That's final!"

Archie snorted. "That's your promise, not mine."

"You ungrateful brat!" Gavin bellowed.

Archie tried to push past, but Gavin wouldn't budge. He swung and landed a solid punch to Archie's face.

"Listen here, Archie. Like it or not, I'm your father, so you'll do as I say! You're not leaving this house until you've met with Ms. Yalton and made things official!"

Archie, stunned, held his bruised cheek, staring back at Gavin in disbelief and anger.

"And I'm telling you now. I don't care what you want, you can't force me to do anything!"