The Strong-Willed Sean O'Connor

CHAPTER 4

Just by looking at them, Sean could tell—they weren’t going to let him go easily.

“I told you,” Sean said slowly, his voice quiet but firm, “I didn’t take anything from Rosalind. She never gave me an allowance. I never needed it. Everything I have, I earned myself.”

Lillian’s laugh was sharp and mocking. “Oh, please. Who wouldn’t take five million dollars? You think anyone would turn that down?”

Eleanor’s cold eyes bore into him. “That’s exactly what she’s giving you, isn’t it? Five million in alimony. You think that’s a gift? You think we don’t know? You’ve been living off her for years, and now you’re trying to act like you didn’t?”

“I never asked for her money,” Sean said firmly, stepping forward. His voice didn’t waver. “She gave it, but I didn’t take it.”

Lillian snorted. “And yet here you are, standing in front of us, acting all high and mighty. If she gave it to you, then why are you pretending to be innocent? You didn’t refuse it, did you?”

“Who would refuse five million dollars?” Julian added with a sneer. “Don’t pretend you didn’t enjoy living off her. You didn’t care where it came from, as long as you had it.”

“Enough talk,” Eleanor cut in. “If it’s really five million dollars, then it’s likely a check—and it should be in his pocket.”

“So we just search him and take it, right?” Julian said, and without waiting for his mother’s response, reached for Sean’s pocket.

Sean quickly caught his arm, stopping him.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Sean demanded.

Julian struggled against his grip, wincing. “Ouch! Let me go! Let me go!” he shrieked.

“You!” Eleanor snarled. “How dare you lay your hands on my son? Let him go this instant!”

“You’re not going to get away with touching Julian like that!” Lillian snapped.

‘So I’m the one they can touch casually?’ Sean thought, his brow furrowing.

“I suggest you let go before things get worse,” Eleanor said with a sneer.

“I already said I don’t have the money. If you don’t believe me, call Rosalind and ask her yourself,” Sean replied, refusing to let them treat him like a thief.

“You!”

Julian tried to break free, his face red with anger and humiliation.

Sean finally released him, shoving him back toward his family. Eleanor caught him, her face reddening with fury.

“How dare you shove my son?! Do you have a death wish?” she bellowed.

Lillian narrowed her eyes at Sean. “Damn it. Are you saying you didn’t take the money?”

“He must have it in his pocket!” Julian shouted, rubbing his wrist.

At that, Sean dug into his pocket and pulled out a few small bags. “This is all I have. Nothing else.”

Just then, Lillian’s eyes caught the glint of something around his neck. She stepped closer.

“Isn’t that my sister’s ring?” she asked. “Did you take it from her?!”

Before Sean could react, she grabbed the necklace, snapping it and yanking the ring free. She began inspecting it with interest.

“Give it back,” Sean said calmly, holding out his hand.

“This looks like that ridiculous ring Rosalind said you gave her on your wedding day,” Lillian said, mocking. “Instead of the wedding bands they prepared. She said it looked old—don’t tell me you thought giving her this would make her regret leaving you?”

Sean said nothing. He just kept his hand out.

“That’s the heirloom, right?” Julian said, eyes gleaming as he rushed over to Lillian and took the ring.

He clenched it tightly in his fist. “This isn’t nearly enough to pay us back for everything we did for you,” he spat. “Let’s take it to a pawn shop, see what it’s worth.”

“You’re not taking that ring anywhere,” Sean said, stepping forward. “Give it back.”

Lillian rolled her eyes. “It’s just a ring, Sean. You think this makes up for all the years we put up with you?”

Julian scoffed. “We’ll get it checked out. If it’s not worth much, maybe we’ll just toss it.”

He turned like he was about to walk away, but Sean grabbed his arm again.

“I said, give it back.”

Julian snarled and yanked free. Then, in a petty fit of anger, he threw the ring to the ground and stomped on it—once, twice.

But the heirloom didn’t even dent.

He stared down, stunned, then bent to pick it up. “What the—?”

The ring gleamed in the light, completely unharmed.

“Did you really think you could destroy it?” Sean said coldly, stepping forward. “That ring’s survived more than your tantrums.”

Lillian’s face twisted in frustration. “Tch. Of course, it’s real. But it still doesn’t make up for what we gave you.”

Sean extended his hand again. “Give it back. Now.”

Julian looked between his mother and sister, still holding the ring tightly.

Lillian narrowed her eyes. “And what if we don’t? What if we say this is payment for all the years you freeloaded off us?”

Sean’s voice dropped to a deadly calm. “You have three seconds.”

Eleanor scoffed. “Are you threatening us?”

“One.”

Julian rolled his eyes. “You wouldn’t dare—”

“Two.”

Lillian suddenly smirked and snatched the ring from Julian. “You want it so badly?” she said sweetly. Then she spun on her heel and strode toward the fountain in the center of the courtyard.

“Lillian.” Sean’s voice turned to ice. “Don’t.”

She didn’t stop. Turning, she met his gaze with a cruel smile and held the ring over the water.

“You want it? Go fetch.”

With a flick of her wrist, she threw it.

The ring arced through the air and dropped into the koi pond with a soft plop, swallowed by the rippling water.

Sean stood motionless. His eyes locked on the pond, his jaw clenched so tightly it could crack.

Then, slowly, he turned back to them.

But he didn’t walk toward Lillian.

He went to Julian.

“Wait—” Julian stumbled back, confused. “I didn’t do anything!”

Sean grabbed him by the collar and slammed him into the marble pillar beside the fountain.

“You’re her brother,” he said coldly. “And I don’t hit women. So you’ll take the pain for her.”

Before Julian could respond, Sean’s fist cracked across his face.