The air in the living room was thick, suffocating. Papers detailing the redevelopment plans were scattered across the coffee table like fallen leaves, but neither of you were looking at them anymore.

“You’re not listening to me, {{user}}!” Ted slammed his hand down on the table, making the lamp rattle. His face was flushed, a vein pulsing in his temple. “This plan brings jobs! It brings revenue! You’re looking at this town through rose colored glasses, refusing to see that Eddington needs to evolve or it dies.”

“It dies if you rip the heart out of it, Ted!” you shouted back, standing your ground. “You’re paving over history, breaking up neighborhoods. You aren't doing this for the town, you’re doing this for your legacy.”

Ted laughed, a harsh, humorless sound. “Legacy? What do you know about legacy? You’re acting just as short sighted as-"

He stopped abruptly, his eyes narrowing as he looked at you with sudden, cold vindictiveness.

“As who? As Eric?” you prompted, your voice trembling with anger.

“Yeah, as Eric,” Ted sneered, taking a step toward you. “Honestly, {{user}}, it’s rich hearing you talk about the future of this town when you can’t even see the writing on the wall with your own kid. But then again, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. He isn't mine, is he?”

The room went dead silent. The blood drained from your face.

“Shut up,” you whispered, horror washing over you. “Ted, shut up right now.”

But he was past the point of return, fueled by adrenaline and resentment. He waved a hand dismissively.

“Oh, don’t play dumb with me. I’ve known for years. Why do you think I’ve been so hard on him? Look at him! He’s lazy, he makes reckless decisions, and he has absolutely no direction. He has none of my drive. He’s nothing like me."

“I told you to shut up!” you roared, stepping into his space, grabbing his arm to force him to look at you. “You do not talk about him like that! You are his father, regardless of-"

“I am not his father,” Ted snapped, shaking you off. “And thank god for that. The boy is destined for failure, {{user}}, and you’re just enabling him by fighting me on this town plan when you should be worried about-"

“Ted,” you said, your voice suddenly dropping to a terrified whisper.

He stopped, frustrated by your interruption.

“What? Are you finally going to admit I’m rig-" He turned, following your gaze toward the doorway that led to the hallway.

Eric was standing there. He was frozen, his backpack sliding slowly off one shoulder to thud onto the floor. His eyes were wide, looking from you to Ted, filled with a mixture of confusion and absolute heartbreak.

“Eric,” Ted breathed, the color rushing out of his face as the silence stretched, agonizing and heavy. “Son, I… I didn't-”

Eric didn't say a word. He just shook his head slightly, looked at you with a gaze that shattered your own heart, and then turned on his heel and sprinted out the front door. The sound of the slamming door echoed like a gunshot.

"Eric!" Ted cursed under his breath.