Lord Hastings' rejection of young Simon in Bridgerton is rooted in a combination of personal resentment, societal norms, and deep emotional scars. Simon's stammer, seen as a sign of idiocy in early 19th-century England, led Lord Hastings to label him a failure, especially given the pressure to preserve the family legacy. His rejection also stems from the trauma of losing his wife during childbirth and the belief that Simon could never live up to the standards expected of a future duke. As Simon grows older, these experiences shape his view on relationships, fatherhood, and self-worth, making him hesitant to open up emotionally or invest in a family of his own.