Bradley''s words left the entire Saunders family in silence.


    They had seven sons. No one could argue that the family name needed Bradley to carry it on. But still, they had hoped he''d live a so-called "normal" life.


    “Brad.......” Beth started to speak, but the rest of her words never came.


    Bradley remainedposed. His gaze swept slowly across the room. "There''s no need to try to change my mind. Don''t waste your breath opposing me either. It won''t make a difference. And if you really can''t ept it, then just pretend I''m not your son."


    With that, he stood up and walked out of the living room.


    "Brad!" Damian called, chasing after him.


    Frederick''s face darkened. "He thinks he''s grown up now. He doesn''t need anyone telling him what to do!" He was furious.


    Osborne frowned too. To him, Brad had always seemed like the quiet, obedient type. He never expected this level of defiance.


    Reginald, on the other hand, remained calm. He understood Brad wasn''t actually trying to cut ties. This was his way of forcing their hand, cornering the family until they had no choice but to ept it.


    Eric let out a long breath.


    He''d expected Bradley to tone it down in front of their parents, maybe soften his stance. But instead, he had one all in, no hesitation, no retreat.


    ''Is he really willing to go this far for Cameron? Willing to risk losing everything?"


    Nell scoffed, "Are you seriously going to let him go through with this? I mean,e on. It''s disgusting."


    Simon red at her. "Brad''s not disgusting. You are."


    Nell whipped her head around and red at Simon.


    Edith turned to Frederick and Beth. "So? What are you two going to do?"


    Frederick answered firmly, "Absolutely not. We can''t just let him do whatever he wants."


    Nell jumped in eagerly. "Dad, I heard there''s this kind of hypnosis that can-"


    "Brad," Damian called, catching up to him outside.


    Bradley was leaning on the roof of his car, face nk under the night sky.


    "If you''re here to talk me out of it, don''t bother," he said without looking over. "If you''re here to give me your blessing, thanks."


    Damian sighed. “I get where you''reing from. I do. But that line about ‘just pretend I''m not your son... wasn''t that a bit much?"


    "I meant every word," Bradley said simply.


    Damian fell silent.


    Bradley pulled open the driver''s side door. "Go home, Dame. You''ve got school, surgeries, rounds. Don''t waste your energy on my drama. Get some sleep." Damian shrugged. "I''m managing."


    11:14 Mon, 23 Jun


    Bradley fastened his seatbelt and started the engine.


    "Brad, be safe," Damian said.


    Bradley nodded. "Yeah."


    "I don''t mean the driving," Damian added. "I mean with... him."


    Bradley didn''t respond. He hit the gas, and the car roared off into the night.


    He didn''t go back to Viremont, for it was toote. Instead, he stayed at a private property he owned in Steerfall.


    Bradley reached for his phone, fingers hesitating over Cameron''s name.


    But after a moment, he put it down.


    ''Knowing Mom and Dad, they''re probably dying to find out who I like. Better not contact him for now.''


    Meanwhile, Cameron and the girls had arrived at the campsite and met up with Elijah and his roommates.


    The area was beautiful, one of the more popr camping spots trending onlely. Since it was Friday, the ce was packed, but thankfully, Elijah had reserved space ahead of time.


    As soon as Tylerid eyes on Amelia, his eyes went wide.


    Amelia, meanwhile, gave the four boys a quick scan.


    ''Alright. Elijah''s the best-looking one.''


    She kept her cool, distant as ever. Tyler wanted to approach her, but his confidence wavered a little.


    He nced over at the other girls.


    ''Two of them are cute. But one of them... kind of looks like a guy.''


    "Which one''s Cameron?" Tyler asked Elijah.