Chapter Text
2013
When Oliver spoke to Elspeth the first time in six years he had to hide his delight over James' death, he had never liked that man despite the generous sum that had been used to pay him off. Not that he could blame the old sod's distrust of him, after all his son had ended up in hospital from drug and alcohol poisoning and his daughter tragically died, all within the space of a day.
"You've become so handsome Ollie!" Elspeth exclaimed, eyeing him with delight.
Oliver smiled at her, "Thank you." He said modestly, after all the Catton's had thought him modest, shy even. But he knew his own appeal, he hadn't missed the lustful glances the dearly departed Venetia or poor Farleigh had sent him, even Felix's eyes had lingered long after he had caught sight of Oliver naked, or rather caught sight of his well endowed cock.
"How have you been? And Felix?" Oliver asked.
Elspeth grasped his hand, "Oh poor Felix, I suppose you wouldn't have heard after James chased you off. Felix is in hospital, he has cancer." Elspeth lowered her voice, "It doesn't look good Oliver, I'll be honest."
Oliver froze stunned, how could his university obsession be struck down by something like cancer? He remembered the ambulance rushing the boy away after Oliver's little attempt to kill him, he had been so relieved at the time that he had failed to murder Felix. Not that it stopped him from going after Venetia the next day, or taking the money James had offered, he was even disappointed that Felix had moved from Oxford and he hadn't seen the boy since. Oliver had expected Elspeth to be living alone, with little contact with her son, but this suited him just as well.
After all he wanted Saltburn more than anything.
When Elspeth invited him to the estate, he tried to conceal his excitement, and when Elspeth became so ill she needed him to care for her twenty-four seven, he smiled almost every second of the day.
Of course when it came to her willing Saltburn and all her assets to him, Oliver was concerned about Felix, after all the man was still alive. Not that he could gauge the prognosis of him, Elspeth never suggested visiting and had almost no contact with him herself, she also never suggested Oliver visit him in hospital. When Oliver had asked about visiting Felix she became hysterical telling Oliver she needed him day and night to care for her, Felix was dying, nothing to be done about that, she didn't want to see him suffering, so why bother visiting?
Oliver hid his disgust and hatred for her behind a smile and a nod of understanding.
But he didn't have time to mourn for Felix's inevitable end, after all he had Elspeth to care for and most importantly Saltburn to consider.
Three months later
When Oliver ripped the breathing tube out of Elspeth's throat he didn't spare a thought for Felix, he knew the young man would be dead soon after all, Elspeth had told him of her son's poor prognosis often enough. And what did it matter now? Elspeth had signed everything over to Oliver anyway, Felix was insignificant.
A few days before Elspeth's funeral the call from the hospital came, Oliver answered the phone naked, as he spent most of his recent time strutting around the estate naked these days.
"Hello?" Oliver asked.
"Hello, I am calling on behalf of a patient at our hospital. His name is Felix Catton?" A male voice spoke.
Oliver's ears perked up, his old friend was dead he was convinced. "Yes, how can I help?"
"Felix is making good progress, he's in remission, we've called many times for him but no one ever got back to us?"
Oliver froze and gripped the handset tightly, "Sorry we've been rather busy here, Felix's mother hasn't been well."
"Sorry to hear that sir. Is Felix able to come home? We can release him into his mother or another relatives care if he can be looked after at home? Felix says he has a cousin who can take him in if his mother is unable?"
Oliver bit his lip considering for a moment, but of course he couldn't let Felix be released into bloody Farleigh's care.
"No, of course Felix can be cared for at home." Oliver said quickly. "We've missed him so very much."
Oliver was dressed in a black suit ready for Elspeth's funeral when Felix was brought home by the hospital, he watched as a unrecognizable man was wheeled into Saltburn by a nurse. Oliver had ensured no staff would be present that day, he gave them all a day off in honor of Elspeth's funeral, so he opened the door to the nurse himself when he heard the knock.
Oliver greeted her with a smile, invited her inside, secretly pleased to find that Felix was too drugged up with painkillers and almost unconscious during Oliver's discussion with the nurse.
"Is Felix's mother here?" The nurse asked, glancing around the large entrance of Saltburn.
Oliver leaned over Felix to whisper to her, "His mother is resting, she hasn't been well you see, but not to worry I'll be caring for Felix."
The nurse looked hesitant, "I was told to discharge him into his mothers care."
Oliver frowned, "I'm sure Felix wouldn't mind it being me, after all I've been his common in law husband for over ten years." Oliver rested a gentle hand on Felix's thin shoulder.
The nurse began to falter, Oliver reassured her that he would take good care of his 'husband', and after very little persuasion she handed over Felix's medications and his care instructions.
Oliver watched her go with a smile, he closed the door and wheeled Felix into the study, he couldn't wait for the man to regain his senses.