Chapter 6 - A Diner at Midnight
They ended up at a twenty-four-hour diner off Route 1, thirty miles north of Boston. The neon sign buzzed softly in the cold damp air, casting a pink and blue glow across the Formica tables and vinyl booths.
It was half-past midnight.
The four boys were crowded into one side of the large corner booth, happily devouring towering sundaes topped with whipped cream, hot fudge, and bright red cherries. The terror of the hotel lobby had faded from their young minds, replaced by the sheer, unadulterated joy of an late-night ice cream feast.
Bennett sat across from them beside Clara, his arm resting along the back of the vinyl booth, his eyes never leaving his sons for more than a few seconds. Every time Leo dimpled his cheek or Julian bit his lower lip, Bennett felt a fresh wave of awe wash over him.
"How did you do it?" Bennett asked softly, looking at Clara. "Four of them, Clara. All by yourself?"
Clara took a sip of her black coffee, wrapping her hands around the thick ceramic mug for warmth. "It wasn't easy," she admitted quietly. "My father helped as much as he could before he passed away three years ago. I worked from home, doing freelance graphic design while they were small. We lived in a small town in coastal Maine. It was quiet. Simple. But they never went hungry, Bennett. They were always loved."
Bennett closed his eyes, a deep pang of guilt twisting in his stomach. "I should have been there. I should have held them when they cried, watched them take their first steps, stayed up with them when they had fevers... My mother robbed us of six years, Clara."
"We can't get those six years back, Bennett," Clara said gently, reaching out to cover his trembling hand with hers. "I spent six years being terrified of your family's name. But tonight... tonight I saw you stand up to her. I saw you walk away from millions of dollars just to hold Leo and Sam in your arms."
"I would burn the entire company to the ground before I let anyone hurt you again," Bennett said, his hazel eyes locking onto hers with a ferocity that made Clara's heart skip a beat.
Suddenly, Bennett’s phone began vibrating violently on the table.
The caller ID displayed a name he knew all too well: Arthur Caldwell.
Bennett hesitated for a moment, then slid the green button and brought the phone to his ear. "Arthur."
"Bennett," Arthur Caldwell’s deep, booming voice echoed through the speaker. He didn't sound angry; he sounded intensely calculated. "I just left the Harbor Crown. Your mother is currently having a full-blown hysterical episode in the manager's office, threatening to sue the hotel, the press, and my daughter."
"I apologize for the chaos, Arthur," Bennett said evenly. "But my decision is final."
"I know," Arthur said, letting out a heavy sigh. "Adrienne told me everything. She told me about the four boys. Bennett... I'm a businessman, but I'm also a father. If someone tried to separate me from Adrienne, I would have torn the world apart."
Bennett blinked, surprised by the older man's tone. "Arthur... what about the merger?"
"The merger with Lenore Whitmore is dead," Arthur declared flatly. "She's unstable, and her corporate governance is a liability. However... Whitmore Holdings board members are calling an emergency meeting for nine o'clock tomorrow morning to vote on your removal as CEO. Lenore is rallying her allies."
Bennett’s jaw tightened. "Let her."
"Don't be a fool, Bennett," Arthur snapped sternly. "You own thirty-four percent of the voting shares. If I back you with Caldwell Investment’s proxy shares, we can strip Lenore of her chairwoman position and lock her out of the company permanently. But you need to be in that boardroom at nine AM sharp, ready to fight."
May you like
Bennett looked over at Clara, then at his four boys, who were now sleepily leaning against each other, their eyelids fluttering shut.
"I'll be there," Bennett said.
