"Nervous," Marcus admits. "I've never spoken to a crowd this wealthy before. But hey, if it helps the kids, I'll tap dance on that stage if I have to."
"I promise it won't come to that. Tell them the truth about Rainbow Haven. The rest will take care of itself."
Marcus nods, then lowers his voice. "James is here, by the way. Over by our table."
Following his gaze, I see James is in a suit I recognize. He looks fantastic in it. Uncomfortable, yeah, but in that way that works.Damn, he’s gorgeous.
He's speaking with two older women, who nod in agreement to whatever he says. Our eyes meet briefly across the room before he looks away, returning his attention to his conversation.
Focus, Caleb, one confrontation at a time.My heart does a painful little skip.
The university president taps the microphone, and conversations around the ballroom gradually quiet. I half-listen to his welcome speech about community partnerships and the university's commitment to "sending graduates into the world prepared to make meaningful change."
It's the kind of vague, inspirational rhetoric that plays well at these events but says very little. As applause fills the room, I make my move. My father has positioned himself near the front, clearly visible to everyone who matters. I slide up beside him during the ovation.
The clapping provides the cover I need. "We need to talk. Now."
He barely glances at me. "Not now, son. The Mayor wants to introduce me to?—"
"Either we talk privately, or I make a scene you won't recover from before the primary."
"You wouldn't." His campaign smile flickers for a second.
"Try me."
After a tense moment, he nods stiffly. "Five minutes. No more."
He follows me into the hallway, past three doors, four… Finally, an empty meeting room. The door clicks shut and his friendly mask drops, as if it had never been there.
"This had better be important, Caleb. I have donors to speak with."
"It's important." Each word is carefully measured. "I know what you did."
He sighs impatiently. "You'll have to be more specific."
"I know you manipulated that recording to make it sound like James agreed to take your money to break up with me." I remove my phone from my pocket and open the folder with the evidence I've compiled. "I have the original recording. I have the editing history, and I have the transfer of funds to your tech guy's account."
His expression doesn't change, but his eyes narrow slightly. "You're overreacting to a misunderstanding."
"No, not a misunderstanding." I swipe to another file. "I also have records of your campaign's creative approaches todisclosure. The property in San Diego that conveniently stays off your public financial statements. Those 'consulting fees' paid to Uncle Richard for services no one can quite define. Should I continue?"
Now I have his attention. His face hardens. "Be very careful, son. You're treading on dangerous ground."
"No." My voice is gaining strength. "You're the one who needs to be careful. You're not manipulating me anymore. You're not making my high school girlfriend break up with me because she wasn't from the 'right family.' You're not pushing me into law because it fits your narrative. You interfered with my relationship, you lied to me, and you tried to bribe the man I love."
"I was protecting you," he snaps. "That boy is nothing but a gold-digger. No family, no connections?—"
"James turned down seventy-five thousand dollars to stay with me." His face is turning red when I interrupt. "When was the last time any of your political friends showed that kind of integrity?"
My father scoffs. "Integrity doesn't build a career, Caleb. Someday you'll understand?—"
"I understand plenty. I understand you're so obsessed with appearances and power that you can't see what matters. I understand that you view relationships as transactions. And I understand that I don't want to live that way."
"What exactly do you want from me?" he asks, his tone calculating now. "Money? Your own campaign fund? A position in my administration when I win?"
Laughing, I'm genuinely amused by how completely he misunderstands me. "I want you to stay out of my personal life. Completely. No interference, no 'helpful suggestions,' no background checks on the people I care about. I want to bring James to family events without Mom making passive-aggressive comments or Thomas and Robert treating him like he's invisible."
"And if I refuse this...ultimatum?"
