A Newfound Drive

It was a slap that echoed across the room, and Stephen grabbed his face in pain.

He stared at me with tears in his eyes, but I didn't care, he'd just embarrassed me greatly, he needed to understand the position we were in in the family early on.

If he didn't get himself together and man up, it may have been too late for him to realize.

Yes, my method may have been harsh, but it was necessary, necessary to shape him into the boy I wanted him to be, the boy who would inherit the Slater family.

"You know how much he hates losing to someone, or coming in second. With Damon impressing him so much, how do you think that would affect us? Why would you tell him about you coming in second?!" I shouted at him.

The position we found ourselves in was very delicate, and he was just making matters worse.

"I won't lie to him, I refuse to lie to my father," he said in a calm voice.