Chapter 8 - A Son Disowns His Father Forever
“Dad,” Daniel’s voice came through the speaker like a crack of thunder in the quiet hospital room. “Tell me you didn't do it. Tell me my mother is exaggerating.” Arthur shrank back into the metal chair, his usual bombastic bravado completely evaporated under his own son’s fury.
“Daniel, son, you have to understand,” Arthur pleaded, his voice cracking with desperate self-preservation. “The boy was being defiant! He refused to respect the family name, and Mason swore up and down—”
“Mason is a lying sociopath, and you are a monster,” Daniel interrupted, his words cutting through the speaker with absolute finality. “I spent ten years listening to you belittle my wife and undermine our parenting, but this crosses every imaginable line.”
“Daniel, don’t do something you’ll regret!” Margaret wailed from the corner, rushing over to grab the phone out of Arthur’s hand. “We are your parents! You cannot turn your back on us over a silly little family dispute!”
“A silly little dispute?” Daniel repeated incredulously, his voice rising in pitch and intensity. “My son almost died of hypothermia because of your inflated egos and vicious cruelty! As of right now, you are dead to me.”
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“Daniel—” Margaret sobbed into the receiver, but the loud dial tone beeped sharply, signaling that the call had been abruptly disconnected. Margaret stared at the dead phone in horror, her entire world collapsing around her expensive designer shoes.
Officer Ruiz gently took the phone from Margaret’s trembling fingers and slipped it back onto the table. “Mr. Whitaker, let’s get you down to the precinct for booking and formal arraignment,” the officer instructed, pulling Arthur up by his cuffed arms.
