The Marvelous Elijah's Return

When they entered the study, Elijah turned around and shut the door behind him, walking towards his father and sitting on an expensive-looking leather chair.

Both men sat in  silence before Elijah finally spoke, asking, “What do you want to tell me?”

Quietly, Mr. Maxwell stood from the couch, walked over to the desk and picked up the tv remote off it, holding it loosely in his hand, staring at the screen in a trance, and said, “Son, I know over the years we have not been as close as we should have been, but I am sorry. For everything. I’m sorry for not being there for you.”

Turning to look his son directly in the eye, Mr. Maxwell sighed heavily and admitted, “I have been too hard on you.”

“You were only making a man out of your son. A man that is capable of great deeds… a man that can lead, and a man that is respected and honorable. You did nothing wrong, father.” Elijah replied,  sighing as he rubbed the back of his neck.

Huffing weakly, Mr. Maxwell sat on the couch, still staring intently at the tv before answering, “I am glad to hear.”

Then he pressed play on the remote, playing the news, listening as the reporter said, “Today was a memorable day, the day Melina Hayes, CEO of Investverse company, divorce her husband, Elijah…”

“Do any of us know his last name?” Another reporter interrupted.

A frown settled on Elijah’s face as he watched the reporters nervously dart their eyes back and forth between each other.

“Well, no. And that’s why I said from the very start that their wedding was a rush, and they were too fast into the whole thing.” A woman said in an irritated tone.

“At first I thought Miss Hayes was pregnant, that is why she got married to someone with no background, status, and wealth… Like did he blackmail her or something?” The reporter continued talking.

Shaking his head, Elijah sighed as he took the remote out of his father’s grip and turned off the tv.

“I thought I failed as a father for the way that I helped raise you, but I have been following your every step since you left this house, and I don’t know if you know this, son, but you are truly my blood.” Mr. Maxwell told him.

Looking straight into his eyes, Elijah felt speechless as he tried to understand what had just happened.

“Did you actually follow my every step for years…? because if you did, then you will know how Melina treated me and how pathetic I acted in my relationship with her!” Elijah questioned, trying to make sense of everything.

“Do you know why I didn’t block your accounts and seal your access to our family money when I kicked you out?” Mr. Maxwell asked, looking straight into his son’s gaze.

Squinting his eyes,  Elijah shook his head and mumbled, “No. Why?”

“Because it was never about the money. It was always about you.” His father explained, placing a gentle hand on his son’s knee. “I gave you access to wealth and told you to experience the life of a poor man to see how much self-control and  maturity you could possess when life got rough.”

“But she-”

wealth to prove a point to her, and still had a

father, and Elijah closed his eyes for a

Elijah reopened his eyes and faced his dad, and said, “But the thing is, I got her a diamond necklace and was going to tell her about who I

That’s what makes us humans, son!” Mr. Maxwell exclaimed, grabbing onto his son’s shoulder tightly. “I went to great lengths to seal your identity, and it took you years to decide

he expected, and it

and said, “So you’re saying that I did well on your

moving on to the next challenge.”

expression remained neutral and inquisitive as he said, “I

of surprise flashed through Mr. Maxwell’s facial expression because he expected

smile returned and he started talking again, “With a hundred million, I need you to leave

would be?” Elijah asked curiously, his eyebrow

he thought for a moment before replying confidently, “You find out… I have no say in where, how you

his head lightly, giving his father

whispered, smiling at his son as he patted him on the

table was covered with various dishes, most of them Elijah’s favorite, and Mrs. Maxwell kept smiling

you want more  mashed potatoes?” She asked

spoon.

him a second serving of mashed

she set the bowl back down after filling it up, she looked across the table at her husband and

in love… and married…” Mrs. Maxwell started, glancing sideways

Elijah raised his gaze to meet her eyes, she  quickly added, “And

only wedding your son will have and has had in his lifetime,”

disbelief. “You are not getting

think I have had enough experience of love to take

because a woman broke your heart, you can’t give up on

“Mom, please!”

looked at each other, neither of them knowing

and I… I mean…  You are my only son, I care for you so much, it hurts…” Mrs. Maxwell said, pausing when Elijah dropped his fork on the

also hear that she divorce me today?” Elijah asked, his voice

by his sudden change of mood, and then she stared

let me breathe from this disaster before asking me for anything else? Please!” Elijah pleaded with his mother in a voice that sounded almost desperate

Mrs. Maxwell said,  nodding her head. “I am

filled the room once more, everyone remaining quiet until Elijah spoke, “Thank