Chapter 3 (Grandpa Walter)

"Drake, it's your grandfather," the voice at the other end was deep and calm, with an old authority. 

"Grandfather..." Drake sighed, recognising the voice of the man he had sworn never to identify himself with ever again.

It's been years since he last heard from his grandfather or any other member of his family. Ever since the deaths of his parents, he had decided to live a life that had nothing to do with him being a Sullivan even if he still adopted the name as his last name. 

"Yes, Drake," grandfather Walter began. "How have you been? It's been a while."

Drake's brow furrowed, wondering why grandpa Walter would call him at such a time like that. He had made up his mind never to have anything to do with his family again.

Though he was from the richest and most powerful family in the world, he had refused to be identified with them due their affiliations to underground crimes and mafia activities. 

He left after the death of his parents by a rival family, he didn't want any part in the family's activities especially being the next successive heir of the family.

"Grandfather..., Why'd you call?" Drake asked, his voice edged with frustration. 

"Drake, aren't you ever going to come back home? The family needs you," Grandpa Walter's voice came through, calm and pleading.

"Grandfather, if that's the reason you've called, then I think there's no need for this conversation," Drake blurted out angrily.

"I heard about your wife and daughter," Grandpa Walter said, taking Drake by surprise. "I'm really sorry for what happened to them."

Drake's grip on the phone tightened. "How do you know about this?" He demanded, a mixture of anger and disbelief in his tone.

"I have my own ways," grandfather Walter replied evenly. "I want to help you save your family. I can provide the $5 million you need, but you need to come back to the family and take your rightful place as the heir to Sullivan's empire.”

Drake's heart raced as memories of past conflicts and the reasons he left surged back. He had always respected grandpa Walter as one of the biggest business moguls he had seen, believing his businesses were built on the foundation of honesty, integrity and transparency.

When he found out about the dirty things that were going on within the Sullivan empire and the events surrounding the death of his parents, he decided to cut ties with his family and live independently of them.

He further grew up in an orphanage home, having nothing to his name. He had to work very hard to earn every penny just to survive, even if with every effort he put into life, things always seemed to work against him.

"No, I vowed never to return, never to have anything to do with the Sullivan empire ever again," Drake declared, his voice firm, despite the desperation gnawing at him.

There was a pause before grandpa Walter spoke again, his voice softer. "Drake, whether you like it or not you'll always be a Sullivan. Sooner or later, you'll have to accept it. But regardless of your decision, I'll help you. I'll transfer the money to the hospital and ensure that your wife's and daughter's treatment proceeds immediately."

Drake's breath caught in his throat, a rush of conflicting emotions overwhelming him. "Why would you do that?" He whispered, his anger giving way to a tremble of vulnerability.

"Because you're my grandson and family means everything," grandpa Walter replied. "Remember that, Drake. We'll talk again soon."

"Grandfather.... I don't need your...." But the call came to an end.

Drake didn't know how to feel after the call ended. Staring at his phone, a whirlpool of emotions churned inside him. Relief, gratitude, and an undeniable pull towards a past he'd tried so hard to escape.

He heaved a sigh, as he made his way back to the hospital.