Page 34 of Broken Destiny

You need to get out of my head, Nyah. And out of my life.

The next morning,I woke up with a splitting headache and a dry mouth. It had been a long time since I had drunk that much, and my body clearly wasn’t pleased with the reminder of my younger habits.

Greg called shortly after and told me to meet him at the hotel restaurant for breakfast. After we finished eating, while the rest of the guys were still asleep in their rooms, he suggested we go for a walk. The fresh air helped clear my head slightly, though the heaviness inside my chest remained in place.

“You nervous?” he asked as we stepped onto the quiet street.

“Not really.” I shrugged.

“No cold feet?”

“Nope.”

He studied me for a second. “Wow. Seems like you’re sure about your marriage to Tatiana.”

I didn’t answer immediately.

The truth dallied between certainty and obligation, and I wasn’t ready to put it into words. It wasn’t that I was completely sure. It simply felt like the next logical step after proposing to her, the natural progression expected from a man in my position.

Was I in love with Tatiana?

Yes… or at least that was what my mind insisted.

Would I have eventually married her?

Probably.

That was what my family wanted.

But what did I want?

The question left a faint tingling sensation across my skin. I pushed the thought aside and watched the scenery around us instead.

Walking down the road from the hotel, I appreciated the view. The smell of fresh baking bread drifted from a nearby bakery, while the ocean stretched out in plain sight ahead of us. We passed jewellery stores, pottery shops, perfumeries, guesthouses, and small galleries that lined the waterfront. We also walked past the restaurant where we had eaten the previous night.

A faint smile touched my lips.

My phone rang, pulling me from my thoughts. I glanced at the screen and saw Sophia’s name before answering.

“How’s the bachelor party going?” she asked.

“Quite good. We’re in a village called Cowichan Bay right now. Quaint little place.” I paused, “But I’m guessing that’s not why you called, is it?”

I heard her sigh softly through the line.

“I’m sorry, Caleb. There’s a new project by Harris Constructors and Developers that caught my attention, and I was wondering if you could go and check it out.”

All four of us siblings worked together at the headquarters in Vancouver, continuing to build our father’s legacy, the man who had spent decades developing restaurants, hotels, and commercial and residential properties across the province.

“Have we done any business with them before?” I asked.

“No, but I would like to,” she replied. “They’ve developed a very unique concept, and I’m hoping we can invest in it and become the builders for the project. It’s a seniors and family community living development.”

“Why would they come up with something like that?” I asked. “Who would actually want to live in that kind of arrangement?”

Seniors usually want peace and quiet, and families want to be surrounded by other families, not elderly residents. Who the hell thought this was a good idea?

“That’s exactly why Simon and I want you to attend the meeting. It’s scheduled for Monday at one in the afternoon. It’s only a day trip, and you’ll be back in time without interrupting your bachelor party.”