Chapter 30 Emest had to admit, his wife made a good point . These days , when young couples get married , isn't it standard for the parents to buy them a new place ? That's just how things were done now So really , this was something his father owed him If his father couldn't pay it back , then having Caitlin do it wasn't unreasonable at all . " You're right , Iliana , " Emest said , voice rising with conviction . " Dad , you owe us this ! You raised me , so it's your responsibility to take care of me now ! " Oh , wonderful ! " Fortune let out a laugh , though his eyes flashed with anger . " You're really something , Ernest . I'm still up on my feet and you're already treating me like this - what's going to happen when I'm old and helpless ? Are you just going to turn your back on me completely ? " Iliana shot Fortune a sidelong glance , her tone dripping with sarcasm . " Don't you have Caitlin ? She's about to start college , bound for great things . When you're old and can't look after yourself , your precious granddaughter will be there for you , won't she ? " She went on , " Emest mamed into my family , remember ? That means he's got nothing to do with the Kensingtons anymore . If anyone's going to care for parents , itll be mine , not yours . " Miana had no intention of looking after Fortune in his old age . She'd kept her mouth shut before , hoping to benefit from Caitlin marrying into the Chandler family , but now that dream had evaporated . It was time to speak her mind . Emest nodded in agreement . " Dad , you knew what you were agreeing to when I married into liana's family . Once I did that , I became someone else's son . It's not right for you to expect me to look after you now . Besides , didn't you raise Caitlin ? Whoever you mised should be the one to care for you so why are you holding me responsible ? " Fortune felt a chill settle deep inside him . He'd always thought that , since his son had married into another family , Emest had little standing at home , so he'd rarely asked him for anything . Even when things got tough , he'd shouldered it alone . Only now did he see the truth : Emest wasn't lacking status - he was lacking a conscience . It took Fortune a long moment to gather himself before he let out a weary sigh . For Caitlin's sake , he decided to swallow his pride . " Ernest , I've never asked you for anything your whole life . Just this once , consider it a favor . No matter what's happened , Caitlin helped you get your new house . Can't you help her out in return ? " !! He'd do anything if it meant Caitlin could go to college and have a future . But Caitlin stepped forward before Emest could reply . " You don't need to beg him , Grandpa . I take care of you when you're old . I'll get into Central Academy on my own , and 111 buy my own place . Let's go home . " X Ernest and Iliana both let but cold , dismissive laughs . Central Academy ? Buy her own house ? What a joke !! Fortune turned to Emest , his voice trembling . " Emest ! You really won't help ? " Dad , I'm a Hadley now . I have nothing to do with the Kensingtons . It's not that I don't want to help - you're simply not my responsibility anymore ," Emest replied , his tone icy.k He knew perfectly well that both his father and Caitlin were bottomless pits ; if he agreed to help this time , it would never end . He had to keep them at arm's length " Fine ! Fine ! Fine - so you're a Hadley through and through " Fortune jabbed a finger at his son , shaking with anger . " Emest , I'm cutting all Dies . From now on , you're no longer my son ! ' a mom hat he was feeling . He'd never Ernest froze , taken aback , He hadn't expected his father to actually say it . For a moment , he couldn't tell what been close with Fortune , but blood was still blood X Even Cartlin seemed surprised . She glanced at Fortune , now an old man battered by life , frail but still standing tall and resolute , refusing to be bowed by the storm ana , however , couldn't hide her delight . With Caitlin's future in shambles and the old man now completely worthless to them , she wait to be rid of the dead weight , to keep him from dragging them down any further !! " Perfect ! Who cares ? Emest having you as a father was never any use to us anyway ," Iliana sneered . Heaning that , Emest finally felt sure of himself liana was right - having a father like Fortune brought nothing but trouble and extra . burdens Now the old man even wanted to forst Caitlin onto them . If he didn't cut ties now , who knew if he'd even be able to keep his house in the future ? Better to end it decisively than let things fester . With that thought , Emest stepped forward and looked Fortune squarely in the eye . " Since you've said it to clearly , there's nothing left for me to say From this day on , I'm a Hadley in life and in death . When I'm gone , I won't be listed in the Kensington family records . Let's just go our separate ways , for good . " Fortune had thought , perhaps , his son would hesitate or try to take back his words . But clearly , Emest had wanted to cut him long time . This outcome suited him perfectly This was the son he'd raised with such care - how pathetic . How laughable . malt for a Fortune's legs nearly buckled . Caitlin stepped up to steady him , her gaze cold as she looked at Emest . " You'll regret this , turning your back on Grandpa . " Regret ? Emest could hardly believe her arrogance . He met her eyes with a mocking sneer . Iliana shot Caitlin a dismissive look and said without restraint , " Regret ? Don't flatter yourself . Cutting ties with people like you is the best thing that's happened to us . Who do you think you are ? " Caitlin nodded calmly . Then let's put it in writing - a formal agreement to sever all ties . That way , certain people can't come crawling back to Grandpa when they need something . " 8