Chapter Text
2012- eight years prior
“What do you mean you are not going?” Anthony practically seethed.
“What does it sound like? I am not going to Oxford. I have no desire to go to university. I have been saying this to you for a while now.” Colin said trying to keep emotion out of his voice.
“You will go. Every Bridgerton male since the 1800’s has attended university, our generation will not be the one that fails the family line.” Anthony barked at him.
“So just because it has always been done we must fall in line? What are we lemmings?” Colin practically scoffed. It did not seem to be a reasonable argument that he must go to university because that is how it had always been done.
“It is about your future, Colin. Since you got involved with that girl—”
“DO NOT bring up Marina. This is not about her. This is about what I want for my life. As I have already said, multiple times now, I have no desire to attend university, to study law or medicine or any of the things predetermined by my name. I want to travel and see the world—”
“You have travelled the world, Colin. That was what your gap year was for and the agreement we came to so that you could travel before you settled down and went to university.”
“I discovered more out there. The world is full of stories and people and adventure and I do not want to be settled in London. I want to live my life out there.”
“No.” Anthony stated.
“What do you mean, No?”
“Just what you think it means, No. No, I will not allow you to throw your life away on childish pursuits.”
“Anthony, you cannot stop me. I am an adult now. I can make my own decisions and I have decided that I will be travelling for the foreseeable future.” Colin could feel anger rising within him at Anthony trying to control him, at Anthony not listening to him.
“Then you leave me no choice. I will not allow you to access any more of your trust fund. If you want to do this you will fund yourself and you will not be allowed to stay at any of the Bridgerton properties. I will cut you off entirely. Do you understand me?”
“You would do that to me?” Colin said in disbelief, his heart clenching at the choice before him.
“I would be doing it for you.”
“No Brother. You would be doing it to spite me! But I will not be controlled like that.” Colin could feel anger coursing through him. He knew Anthony would not be happy with his decision but he had never imagined him severing his support. Colin had been explicit that he didn’t want to live of his trust fund, that he had envisioned finding work that allowed him to travel. He knew his father would have encouraged him to travel, would have at least understood him. Before his father had died he had spoken about all the countries he had been to and filled Colin with a sense of wonder and a desire to travel himself. His heart clenched again thinking of his father, wishing that he was here and not Anthony who was in front of him, immovable and deaf to him.
“So knowing that you still intend to pursue this fruitless path?” Anthony asked with a hardened countenance.
“Yes.” Colin knew there was no point arguing with him or defending his case. When Anthony was like this he only dug his heels in further.
“Then you will leave tonight with the clothes on your back. I will have no hand in supporting your next chapter. And don’t even think of trying to keep in contact with any of us. You want to go your own way then you will do so alone.” Anthony stated with merciless precision. Colin felt his whole body shudder in pain but he knew he could not let himself be controlled like his brother was seeking to.
“I cannot believe you are being like this. But if that is what I must do to have control over my own life then so be it. Goodbye brother.” Colin felt sadness wash over him at never seeing his family again. Anthony got up and walked out the door without acknowledging him again. Colin took a moment to breathe, knowing his life had just changed forever before rising and leaving the only life he had ever known.
***
Best of You by Foo Fighters
...Were you born to resist or be abused?
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best
The best of you?
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best
The best of you?
Are you gone and on to someone new?
I needed somewhere to hang my head
Without your noose
You gave me something that I didn’t have
But had no use
I was too weak to give in
Too strong to lose…
I swear I’ll never give in
I refuse
Were you born to resist or be abused?
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best
The best of you?
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best
The best of you?
***