The Marvelous Elijah's Return novel Chapter 6

When they entered the study, Elijah turned around and shut the door behind him, walking towards his father and sitting on an expensive-looking leather chair.

 

Both men sat in  silence before Elijah finally spoke, asking, “What do you want to tell me?”

 

Quietly, Mr. Maxwell stood from the couch, walked over to the desk and picked up the tv remote off it, holding it loosely in his hand, staring at the screen in a trance, and said, “Son, I know over the years we have not been as close as we should have been, but I am sorry. For everything. I’m sorry for not being there for you.”

 

Turning to look his son directly in the eye, Mr. Maxwell sighed heavily and admitted, “I have been too hard on you.”

 

“You were only making a man out of your son. A man that is capable of great deeds… a man that can lead, and a man that is respected and honorable. You did nothing wrong, father.” Elijah replied,  sighing as he rubbed the back of his neck.

 

Huffing weakly, Mr. Maxwell sat on the couch, still staring intently at the tv before answering, “I am glad to hear.”

 

Then he pressed play on the remote, playing the news, listening as the reporter said, “Today was a memorable day, the day Melina Hayes, CEO of Investverse company, divorce her husband, Elijah…”

 

“Do any of us know his last name?” Another reporter interrupted.

 

A frown settled on Elijah’s face as he watched the reporters nervously dart their eyes back and forth between each other.

 

“Well, no. And that’s why I said from the very start that their wedding was a rush, and they were too fast into the whole thing.” A woman said in an irritated tone.

 

“At first I thought Miss Hayes was pregnant, that is why she got married to someone with no background, status, and wealth… Like did he blackmail her or something?” The reporter continued talking.

 

Shaking his head, Elijah sighed as he took the remote out of his father’s grip and turned off the tv.

 

“I thought I failed as a father for the way that I helped raise you, but I have been following your every step since you left this house, and I don’t know if you know this, son, but you are truly my blood.” Mr. Maxwell told him.

 

Looking straight into his eyes, Elijah felt speechless as he tried to understand what had just happened.

 

“Did you actually follow my every step for years…? because if you did, then you will know how Melina treated me and how pathetic I acted in my relationship with her!” Elijah questioned, trying to make sense of everything.

 

“Do you know why I didn’t block your accounts and seal your access to our family money when I kicked you out?” Mr. Maxwell asked, looking straight into his son’s gaze.

 

Squinting his eyes,  Elijah shook his head and mumbled, “No. Why?”

 

“Because it was never about the money. It was always about you.” His father explained, placing a gentle hand on his son’s knee. “I gave you access to wealth and told you to experience the life of a poor man to see how much self-control and  maturity you could possess when life got rough.”

 

“But she-”

 

“She humiliated you and looked down on you. I know. And yet, you never did abuse your wealth to prove a point to her, and still had a sense of stature in your weakest moment.”

 

The room fell silent after hearing all those words from his father, and Elijah closed his eyes for a moment while drawing a deep breath.

 

Taking a moment to collect himself, Elijah reopened his eyes and faced his dad, and said, “But the thing is, I got her a diamond necklace and was going to tell her about who I was. My judgment was all wrong.”

 

“We make mistakes to learn. That’s what makes us humans, son!” Mr. Maxwell exclaimed, grabbing onto his son’s shoulder tightly. “I went to great lengths to seal your identity, and it took you years to decide to trust her with it. I call that a win!”

 

Speechless Elijah looked at his father. This was not what he expected, and it was shocking to hear the pride in his father’s voice.

 

After a few moments passed, Elijah broke free from his awe and said, “So you’re saying that I did well on your test?”

 

“You did excellently! And that’s why we are moving on to the next challenge.” Mr. Maxwell stated firmly.

 

With calm eyes, Elijah’s expression remained neutral and inquisitive as he said, “I am listening.”

 

A sense of surprise flashed through Mr. Maxwell’s facial expression because he expected an argument from Elijah or some sort of rebellion.

 

After a short pause, the smile returned and he started talking again, “With a hundred million, I need you to leave Bordoria and establish a company of your own, somewhere where nobody knows your status.”

 

“And that place would be?” Elijah asked curiously, his eyebrow raised.

 

Mr. Maxwell paused as he thought for a moment before replying confidently, “You find out… I have no say in where, how you run your company, and what you do with your money… Your failure and success are in your hands again.”

 

Meeting his father’s eyes, Elijah said no words,  simply nodding his head lightly, giving his father a faint smile when he grinned at him.

 

“Make me proud, son.” Mr.  Maxwell whispered, smiling at his son as he patted him on the back.

 

That night, at dinner, the table was covered with various dishes, most of them Elijah’s favorite, and Mrs. Maxwell kept smiling across from her son, feeling happy that he was finally home.

 

“Do you want more  mashed potatoes?” She asked sweetly, reaching for the bowl and

 

spoon.

 

“Thanks, mom,” Elijah mumbled as she served him a second serving of mashed potatoes and gravy.