At the appointed time, Price and I entered a small office in downtown Lexington. Parker, Odelia, and their lawyer, a short, middle-aged man with a sharp gaze and a neat beard, were already waiting for us in the conference room. Parker barely glanced at me when we entered. His face was stony. Odelia looked tired, with dark circles under her eyes, but she also maintained a cold expression.
«Gentlemen, ladies,» Blake began the meeting. «Let’s try to have this conversation constructively and without emotion.»
Price nodded as he took out the documents. «We have received your request for a meeting. I assume you are ready to discuss our proposal?»
Blake glanced at Parker, who nodded slightly. «We have carefully reviewed Mr. Hall’s letter and the attached documents,» the lawyer began. «And although my clients find it difficult to agree with the interpretation of events, they are willing to discuss certain compensation in exchange for dropping the lawsuit.»
«Compensation,» Price repeated with a slight smile. «Interesting wording. We are not talking about compensation, but about Mr. Hall’s legal right to a share in the property that he actually helped to acquire.»
Blake frowned slightly. «That’s your interpretation. We have reason to believe that the court may consider these funds to be a gift.»
«Based on what?» Price asked. «We have documentary evidence of the investment, witness testimony about the agreement, confirmation of Mr. Hall’s permanent residence in the house and his contribution to the maintenance costs. What do you have besides your client’s words?»
Blake paused, then sighed. «Mr. Price, let’s be honest. The trial will be long, expensive, and painful for all parties, especially for Mr. Hall’s underage granddaughter. Are you sure you want to put a child through that kind of stress?»
I tensed at the mention of Bridget. They were using my love for my granddaughter as leverage.
«My granddaughter is already suffering,» I said, unable to hold back, «because of her parents’ decision to kick me out of the house I helped buy.»
«Dad,» Parker spoke for the first time. His voice was tense. «You’re exaggerating. We offered you comfortable accommodation in a good facility.»
«To make room for a gym,» I finished for him.
Odelia flushed. «It was just a suggestion. We hadn’t even started planning anything.»
«Gentlemen,» Price raised his hand. «Let’s get back to the point. My client demands recognition of his share in the property corresponding to his financial contribution. That’s about 50% of the market value of the house at the time of purchase. Taking into account the increase in real estate prices over four years, that’s approximately $300,000.»
Parker’s cheek twitched. «That’s absurd. Where are we going to get that kind of money?»
«We can sell the house,» Price replied calmly, «or take out a mortgage against your share.»
«Sell our house?» Odelia looked as if she had been struck. «It’s our house.»
«And my client’s,» Price added. «Or more accurately, it was his house until you decided to get rid of it.»
Blake raised his hand, urging everyone to calm down. «Let’s take a break. I need to talk to my clients in private.»
Price and I stepped out into the hallway. As soon as the door closed, I turned to the lawyer. «They’re playing on my feelings for Bridget.»
«Of course,» Price nodded. «That’s to be expected. But don’t let them manipulate you. They’re backed into a corner and looking for any way out.»
15 minutes later, we were invited back in. Parker looked depressed, and Odelia looked angry. Blake folded his arms on the table.
«My clients are willing to discuss compensation of $150,000 over two years. That’s their maximum offer.»
Price looked at me questioningly. I shook my head. «$300,000 in a lump sum,» I said firmly. «Or the sale of the house and a division of the proceeds.»
«Dad,» Parker looked at me with fury. «Are you really willing to throw us out on the street? Your own family?»
«You were the first to decide to throw me out on the street, son,» I replied. «Or more accurately, into a nursing home.»
«We can offer $180,000,» Blake interjected. «That’s really the maximum my clients can afford without selling the house.»
Price looked at me again. I thought about it. $180,000 plus what I already have. That would be enough for an apartment and a comfortable life. But it wasn’t just about the money.
«$200,000,» I said finally. «And a public apology from Parker and Odelia for trying to send me to a nursing home against my will.»
«What?» Parker jumped up. «You want us to apologize for taking care of you?»
«Parker,» Blake put his hand on his shoulder, forcing him to sit down. «Let’s not get heated.» He turned to me. «Mr. Hall, my clients may agree to $200,000, but a public apology… that’s excessive.»
«Then we’ll settle this in court,» I stood up. «Price, we’re leaving.»
«Wait,» Odelia exclaimed. «We… we’ll accept $200,000. And we’ll apologize, but not publicly. Only within the family.»
I gave her a long look. She had always been practical, unlike Parker with his pride.
«Okay,» I finally agreed. «$200,000 within 30 days and an apology in front of Bridget and Emmett Pryor. And I want it all in writing.»
Blake nodded, looking relieved. «We’ll have the agreement ready in the next few days.»
When we stepped outside, Price shook my hand. «Congratulations, Mr. Hall. It’s a good deal.»
I nodded, feeling a strange emptiness inside. I had won. But at what cost? Parker’s face, contorted with rage, was before my eyes. My son. My only child. Now probably lost to me forever.
«Mr. Hall,» Price’s voice brought me back to reality. «You did what you had to do. They left you with a choice: either a humiliating existence on their terms, or a fight for your dignity. You chose dignity. And I’m sure your late wife would have approved of your choice.»
I smiled a sad smile. «Thank you, Mr. Price. You’re right. Miriam always said our son should respect his elders. It’s a pity he didn’t learn that lesson.»
On the way to Emmett’s house, I turned on my phone and saw a message from Bridget. «Grandpa, Mom and Dad came back from some meeting. Dad was yelling that you were blackmailing him, and Mom was crying in the bathroom. What’s going on? Please reply.»
I sighed and wrote, «We’ve reached a compromise, sweetheart. Everything will settle down soon. Don’t worry. You will always be a part of my life, no matter what happens between me and your parents.»
A minute later, the reply came. «Do you swear?»
«I swear,» I replied, feeling a lump in my throat.
Emmett was waiting for me at home with a bottle of champagne. «Tell me everything,» he demanded as soon as I crossed the threshold.
I told him about the meeting, the agreement we had reached, and Parker and Odelia’s faces. «200,000,» Emmett whistled. «Plus what you already have from your investments. You’re a wealthy man now, Cedric.»
«Money can’t compensate for the loss of a son,» I sighed.
Emmett shook his head. «You didn’t lose your son, Cedric. You lost him long before that, when he stopped seeing you as a father and started seeing you as a burden. Today, you just stopped pretending that everything was fine.»
I nodded, knowing he was right. And yet, deep down, I still hoped that one day, perhaps, Parker would understand what had happened. And maybe he would find the strength to apologize sincerely. Not out of coercion, but from the heart.
But until that day came, I had a new life to build, and a granddaughter to protect from the consequences of adult conflicts.
Three weeks passed, but the promised apology never came. Parker avoided meetings, citing his busy schedule. And when Price pressed him, citing the terms of the agreement, my son made a new demand. The meeting had to take place without Emmett, just the family.
«He’s bargaining like he’s at the market,» Emmett said indignantly when I told him about it. «And you still doubt the correctness of your decision?»
I just sighed. Something told me that Parker was not looking for a compromise, but a way to humiliate me, to make me feel like a traitor to my family. Without a witness, it would have been easier to do.
During that time, I managed to buy the apartment that Emmett and I had been looking at. It was a bright, spacious one-bedroom on the fourth floor of a modern building, with an elevator and a concierge. I had already moved some of my things there and was slowly settling in, although I was still technically living with Emmett.
On Wednesday morning, Price called me. «Mr. Hall, we have a problem.» His usually confident voice sounded concerned. «Blake has informed us that his clients are refusing to comply with the terms of the agreement.»
«What?» I sat up, feeling my heart skip a beat. «But we agreed on everything.»
«Formally, the agreement has not yet been signed,» Price said. «Blake was dragging his feet on preparing the documents. And now I understand why. They decided to take a chance and go to court.»
I pressed my fingers to my bridge of my nose, trying to cope with my disappointment. Of course, Parker couldn’t just give up. His pride wouldn’t allow it.
«What now?»
«Now we file a lawsuit as we originally planned,» Price replied firmly. «I’ve already prepared all the documents. If you agree, I’ll file them with the court tomorrow morning.»
I agreed. I didn’t really have a choice. And something inside me just clicked. If Parker wanted a fight, he was going to get one.
The hearing was set for October 3rd, two weeks later. The court seemed to be in a hurry to resolve the case, which was unusual for civil lawsuits, which usually drag on for months. «We’re lucky with the judge,» Price explained as we prepared for the hearing. «Judge Eleanor Hammond is known for her intolerance of family conflicts and her tendency to resolve them quickly and decisively.»
«Is that good for us?» I asked.
Price shrugged. «It depends on how she perceives our story. Hammond usually sides with whoever she considers more vulnerable. In your case, that could be an advantage.»
The day of the trial came unexpectedly quickly. I put on my best suit, the one I had once worn to Parker’s wedding to Odelia. The suit was a little loose. I had lost weight in recent weeks. The stress affected my appetite.
Emmett insisted on driving me to court himself. «Cedric, remember,» he said as we drove. «Whatever happens, you did the right thing. You’re defending your dignity. Miriam would be proud of you.»
I nodded, but my thoughts were far away. I remembered little Parker, who once looked up to me with adoration, as if I were a hero. When did everything change? Maybe I wasn’t a very good father. Maybe I didn’t support him enough. Didn’t praise him enough.
«Stop it,» Emmett said as if he could read my mind. «I’ve known you for almost 50 years. You were a great father. Parker chose his own path.»
Price was already waiting for us in the courthouse. He was composed and exuded confidence. «Everything is ready,» he said. «I’ve reviewed the defense’s materials. They are trying to present your contribution as a gift, citing parental responsibility to help children. It’s a pretty weak position, especially considering your financial records.»
In front of the courtroom, I saw Parker and Odelia. They were standing next to Blake, talking quietly about something. Parker noticed me first. His gaze turned cold. His lips pressed into a thin line. Odelia also looked at me, but quickly looked away.
The hearing began at 10 o’clock sharp. Judge Hammond, an elderly woman with a sharp gaze and pursed lips, got straight to the point. «So, we have a family dispute over property rights,» she said, looking through the documents. «Mr. Hall Sr. claims that he invested significant funds in his son’s house with a verbal agreement to live together. Mr. Hall Jr. and his wife claimed that these funds were a gift. Am I understanding the essence of the case correctly?»
«Yes, Your Honor,» Price and Blake replied simultaneously.
«Good,» the judge nodded. «I have reviewed the documents provided, but I would like to hear from the parties personally. Let’s start with the plaintiff. Mr. Hall Sr., tell us how it all happened.»
I stood up, feeling my mouth go dry. The words Price and I had rehearsed suddenly flew out of my head. «Your Honor,» I began, clearing my throat. «When my wife, Miriam, died four years ago, I sold the house we had lived in for 35 years. My son offered to let me move in with them, saying they would expand the addition and give me a separate entrance.»
I described our agreement in detail: how I transferred the money, how I regularly paid for utilities and participated in home repairs. «We didn’t have any written agreements,» I admitted. «I trusted my son. He said, ‘Don’t worry about the paperwork, Dad. We’re family. This house will be your home for the rest of your days.'»
I spoke calmly, trying to stick to the facts. But when I got to the part about the nursing home and the gym, my voice began to tremble. «They decided to get rid of me, Your Honor. My son yelled that I was the worst father, living off them. All I wanted was to spend my old age in the house I helped buy, close to the granddaughter I love.»
The judge listened attentively, occasionally taking notes. When I finished, she nodded and turned to Parker. «Mr. Hall Jr., it’s your turn.»
Parker stood up and adjusted his tie. He looked confident, almost smug. «Your Honor, of course I suggested that my father move in with us after my mother died. He was alone, and the house was too big for him. Yes, he helped us with the down payment, and we are grateful for that. But it was a gift, not an investment.»
He spoke convincingly, describing how he cared for me, how he remodeled the annex, how patient he was with my senile quirks. «Lately, Dad has become forgetful, sometimes even dangerous to himself,» Parker continued. «My wife and I wanted to provide him with professional care in a good facility, but he took it as a betrayal and is now trying to take our house away, to deprive his own granddaughter of a roof over her head.»
I clenched my fists under the table. What a skilled manipulator my son had become.
After the parties had presented their cases, the examination of witnesses began. Price called Emmett, who confirmed that I had always talked about investing in my son’s house as a way to secure my place in the family in my old age, not as a gift. Then Blake called Parker’s neighbor, an elderly woman named Lorraine, who recounted how I once forgot to turn off the garden hose, and water ran all night, flooding her flowerbeds.
