The early morning sun poured into the Roberts’ home, casting shadows across the breakfast table where Robert sat, his hands wrapped tightly around a steaming mug of coffee. The usual hustle and bustle of family life felt muted and heavy in the air; conversation was sparse, with each member of the family absorbed in their thoughts. The magnitude of Robert’s confession weighed heavily, and the silence felt like a suffocating blanket.
Claudia, still visibly shaken from the night before, moved mechanically through the motions of preparing breakfast. She filled the kettle for tea, glancing at Robert, her expression a mix of disbelief and concern. “Are you really going through with it?” she asked softly, breaking the silence. “Reporting your own company? Your friends?”
“I have to, Claudia,” Robert replied, his voice steely but cracking slightly with emotion. “I can't be part of it anymore. It’s gone too far. I thought I could find a way out, but now…” He trailed off, eyes fixed on the table.
Max shuffled into the kitchen, bleary-eyed and still dressed in the casual attire he wore to skateboard in: loose-fit jeans and a graphic tee depicting a popular band. He grabbed a piece of toast and glanced at his father. “Is it true? What you said last night?” The boy’s casual demeanor did nothing to hide the apprehension in his voice.
“Yes,” Robert admitted, his heart sinking further into his chest. “But I’m going to fix this. I’m reporting everything to the police today.”
Max paused, the toast almost slipping from his hand. “So, you’re just going to throw everything away? Your work? Our lives?” His tone was laced with disbelief and a hint of resentment. “How could you get involved in such garbage? You’re supposed to be a role model, Dad!”
“Max!” Claudia intervened, her voice sharp. “This is serious. Your father is trying to make things right.”
“Make things right?” Max echoed, the incredulity rising in his voice. His face flushed with anger. “You broke the law, Dad! You put us all at risk!”
Robert felt the sting of his son’s words. Often, he had been the one to guide Max, but now their roles seemed reversed, and he was left feeling like a failure. “I know, son. I made mistakes,” he said quietly, his heart heavy. “But from this moment on, I want to do the right thing.”
Claudia placed a hand on Robert's shoulder, her expression a mixture of worry and support. “Let’s just get through today, okay? We can figure everything out after that. You’re doing the right thing.”
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