CHAPTER 7
"You know," Blake said softly, "you don't have to follow the path he chose."
Leo looked at him, eyes tired. "But if I don't… who will? My father trusts me. He built everything from scratch. He believes this merger will secure our legacy for decades. If I walk away, it'll crush him."
"Leo," Blake said firmly, "you're not responsible for carrying the dreams he created for himself."
Leo stared at him, absorbing the words.
"I wish it were that simple," he whispered.
Blake leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. "Maybe it's not simple. But you're allowed to want something different. You're allowed to breathe."
Leo laughed lightly. "And do what? Travel? Paint? Start a café?"
"If that's what makes you happy," Blake answered without hesitation.
Leo's laughter faded, replaced by a small, grateful smile.
Just then, a nurse poked her head into the room. "Dr. Harrison, they need you in Ward C."
Blake nodded. "I'll be there in a minute."
The nurse left, and Blake turned back to Leo.
"Look," he said seriously, "you're like a brother to me. And I know you. You'll drown under all that pressure if you don't figure out what you want."
Leo sighed deeply. "My father thinks I'm ready. He keeps saying it's the right time."
"And what do you think?" Blake asked.
Leo hesitated, his voice almost a whisper. "I think he's rushing. I think he's afraid of losing control. And honestly… I think he doesn't see me. Not really."
Blake's expression softened. "Then tell him."
Leo shook his head. "You don't tell Richard something he doesn't want to hear. He listens only when the world forces him to."
"Maybe it's time someone challenged him."
Leo blinked. "You think I should?"
"Yes," Blake replied. "Because your life shouldn't be a sacrifice."
Leo looked away again, his chest tightening.
Maybe Blake was right.
Maybe he needed to stand up to his father.
But the idea alone felt terrifying.
As Blake stood to leave for his call, he placed a hand on Leo's shoulder. "Whatever you decide, I've got your back. Always."
Leo nodded, grateful. "Thanks, Blake. Really."
Blake smiled. "Anytime."
___
Back at the Grey mansion, Ruby cleaned the kitchen alone, her hands trembling from exhaustion. Vivian had purposely assigned her extra chores, claiming she needed to "learn responsibility."
Ruby scrubbed the sink until the metal gleamed, fighting the burning behind her eyes.
Her father had been gone only eight hours, and she already felt the walls closing in. Every corner of the house felt colder, sharper.
When she finally returned to her room, she collapsed on her bed and hugged her pillow, letting the tears fall silently.
She felt forgotten.
Unwanted.
Invisible.
She wondered if her father even missed her.
She wondered if she'd ever have a home again.
As she wiped her tears, she whispered to herself:
"One day… things will get better. One day, someone will see me."
___
The sun hung high when Leo finally stepped out of the hospital. The earlier tension in his chest hadn't disappeared, but it had loosened slightly after talking with Blake. As he approached the hospital parking lot, he found Blake already waiting by his car, now changed out of his doctor's coat into something casual—black jeans and a neat polo.
"You ready?" Blake asked, pulling on his sunglasses.
Leo nodded. "Let's go. I need something that tastes like comfort."
"Perfect," Blake said with a grin. "Daniel and Chris are already there waiting. They claim they're choosing the menu today."
Leo huffed out a short, amused breath. "Last time Daniel chose the menu, I almost needed my stomach pumped."
Blake laughed. "Exactly why we're going—to supervise him."
They got into Leo's car, and the drive to the restaurant brought a much-needed shift in atmosphere. The roads were moderately busy, but it felt good—like the world was carrying on, whether he broke or healed.
They arrived at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the city. Warm breeze. Soft music. The smell of grilled seafood, jollof, and fresh pastries drifting through the air. For a moment, Leo felt his body relax.
Near the far corner, Daniel and Chris were waving them over.
Daniel—loud, cheerful, always wearing something two sizes too expensive for the activity at hand—stood up immediately. "Finally! You two took forever. The food almost started aging."
Chris rolled his eyes. "Ignore him. He ordered everything spicy so he could cry and call it stress relief."
Leo smirked as he sat down. "Sounds about right."
Daniel nudged him playfully. "Omo, Leo, you look like someone who fought with God this morning. Are you good?"
Blake shot him a warning glance, but Leo spoke first.
"Not really," he admitted. "Dad dropped something heavy today."
Chris leaned in. "Let me guess… business drama? Or another one of his surprise decisions?"
Leo exhaled deeply. "He wants me to get married." and also threatened to give the company to Trent".
Daniel froze. "Wait—what? Your younger brother.
"Yes," Leo said flatly.
Blake nodded.
Silence settled over the table for a moment—not tense, but thoughtful.
Chris frowned. "Man… that's harsh. He didn't even talk to you first?"
"No." Leo shook his head, bitterness creeping into his voice. "He just told me to make my choice before it's too late."
Daniel slammed his palm lightly on the table. "Ah! That man sha. Always acting like feelings are optional."
Leo didn't respond. His friends understood. They always had.
Blake changed the subject at the right moment. "Let's order. Maybe food will reset our boy's spirit."
Daniel waved the menu. "Already ordered. I told them we need enough food to feed an army."
Chris scoffed. "You mean enough to feed you."
"You're welcome," Daniel shot back.
A few minutes later, the waiters arrived with trays—peppered chicken, fried rice, coconut grilled fish, sweet plantains, spiced prawns, and steaming bowls of soup.
Leo felt the tension in him melt a little more.
"This," Daniel declared dramatically, "is what healing looks like."
They dug in, and soon the table filled with laughter. Chris argued about football scores, Daniel exaggerated a story about a girl who had "broken his heart with only her eyebrows," and Blake kept teasing him for it. Leo found himself smiling—really smiling—for the first time that day.
Then Blake glanced at him and said quietly, "Feeling a little better?"
Leo took a sip of his drink, letting the coolness settle his mind.
"Yeah," he said softly. "Actually… yeah."
Daniel raised his drink. "To bad decisions, absent fathers, and loyal friends who drag you out to buy overpriced food!"
Everyone laughed and clinked their glasses.
But as Leo lowered his drink, his mind drifted—softly, inevitably—to Ruby.
He wondered if she'd eaten.
If she was okay.