475 Chapter 475

"Augustus?" Erik could barely get his voice to work. He felt breathless, like someone had kicked him in the gut.

Auggie sat down. Erik looked at him, a desperate plea for understanding in his eyes.

"I knew. I know. I was a part of it. All of it. I helped him do it." Auggie began.

Erik felt his legs begin to shake.

"Auggie, you are my brother. Why?"

"Because we had all decided it was for the best."

"Who is we all? Who decided to do this to Pearl? I can see why you'd do it to me. I'm the big bad anti-Christ but her? How could you?"

"Me, Bash, Gail and…"

"And who else?"

"And Dylan." Auggie took a deep breath and put his head down.

"Oh my god." Erik couldn't believe it.

"The ultimate coup d'é·tat. Not only take out the current leader but the offspring as well. Completely rearrange the legacy. Wow, Augustus. I didn't know you had it in you. I mean, should I be so surprised? You are, after all, my brother. But Dylan? Oh the sweet friend that never had an ill intention in his life! I am at a loss for words." He stared daggers at Auggie.

An interruption broke their gaze. Pearl knocked on the door.

"I thought I'd find you here," she said as she looked over at Auggie. "I am sorry. Am I interrupting something?"

"Oh no, my love. You are right on time. Auggie, my dear brother, was just filling me in on some family dynamics…"

"Erik. I don't think it's necessary to…," Auggie began.

"You're wrong. It's quite the opposite. It is highly necessary. I was just about to ask Auggie how two wrongs could possibly make a right in any situation. Especially one as calculated and cruel as lying about a child's paternity for 21 years. Lying to his mother about a sexual encounter. Making her believe she betrayed the man she loved. Making her believe it was for the best. Even having her best friend involved. Tell me, brother. Tell me how that plays out in favor of anything?" Erik took his eyes off Pearl and looked at Auggie.

"Auggie?" Pearl asked.

"He knew. He helped arrange it. And he wasn't the only secret co-conspirator. Tell her." Auggie hesitated. Erik slammed his hand on the desk and shouted, "Tell her or I will break my vow of non-violence I swear to god!"

"Fine. Fine. Dylan was involved as well. He helped us forge the paternity paperwork. He knew all about it. He wanted Erik out of your life. For good." Auggie couldn't look at her.

Pearl covered her mouth in shock. "My god," she finally managed to say.

"I know I was the king of the shit bags but I think this is just as bad, if not worse. I ate every word, went to prison, apologized and let the entire world see me for what I was while groveling for forgiveness. I admitted my faults. And I found in therapy there were reasons for my issues. I finally found a way to accept the dark and terrible things about myself. But you? You and the rest of your friends all paraded around like goddamned saints. Tell me, brother, when the day comes for your final judgment, who will you be groveling for forgiveness from?" Erik stepped closer to Auggie, looking into his eyes. "You are no better than I am. And you may even be worse, you soulless bastard. Get out." He motioned to the door.

"Erik, I think we should talk about this more. About Christian," Auggie said.

"Anything that is decided about our son and personal family matters will no longer need to be your concern," Pearl said.

"Are you telling me to leave the palace?" Auggie asked.

"I'm telling you to stay in your lane moving forward. It's up the king to decide where we all go from here," Pearl said.

"No. No you can't tell him. He will step down. The crown will fall." Auggie became frantic.

"Well maybe that's what needs to happen, then. Please, get out." Pearl looked at the door and opened it.

"Please let's talk about this tomorrow." Auggie said as he left them there.

Pearl looked at Erik. They both stood in silence, processing what they just learned.