We didn’t have father-son time. We had business training. At times I resented him. I hated watching my mother lose interest in the two of us. She looked at me as though it was my fault that he spent every waking moment in his office. I don’t remember a time that she looked at me with love. She hated that I was just like him. Even though I had no choice, that didn’t matter to her.
“Armcorp.”
His brow furrows and he pats his right hand against his leg. I can tell he’s not happy with the decision.
“Fairmont would have been better,” he says simply. He hasn’t been happy with many of my decisions over the last seven years. Each year I’ve branched further and further away from his counsel.
“I wanted this one.” I tell him the truth, which is more than I gave Trent. I won’t admit to anyone that I made a business decision because of a woman.
His eyes flash to mine. “Wanted?”
“Yes,” I say simply. I wanted it, so I took it. I wanted her. There’s no discussion on this matter. I’m the CEO, this was my decision, and as selfish as it was, it’s done. I’m not turning back on my word.
My father must sense that I’ve come to terms with this choice. He doesn’t push me for more. As I stare back at him and his eyes move to the forest behind me, I see him for who he is in this moment. Once a strong man of power, now weak and reliant on others. I grit my teeth, hating that this is the way it works. I’ll be him one day. In many ways, I already am.
“How are the treatments going?” he asks after a long quiet moment.
“Everything’s fine.” I look him in the eyes as I answer.
He breaks eye contact and the corners of his lips turn down into a scornful frown. “That’s what your mother used to say.”
I don’t hide my scowl. I hate it when he brings her up. I hate thinking about her in general. My father may have raised me to be a cold ruthless fuck incapable of real attachments and emotion, but at least he tried to be there for me.
My mother is a money hungry bitch. She took my father for everything he had and moved on to the next rich man she could spread her legs for. I was a hindrance for her. I haven’t spoken to her in at least three years, maybe more. I don’t need this today.
I give my father a tight smile. “I need to get going.”
He eyes me, but nods slightly.
“Come back tomorrow,” he says without looking at me.
I don’t know why I even come here anymore. Some false sense of obligation to a man who never knew me, I guess. He gave me this life. He raised me to be the man I am. I should be grateful. Men would kill to be in my position, but I want something more. I don’t want to end up like him.
I nod, unsure of whether or not he sees and walk quickly through the path at the front of the nursing home. My Aston Martin’s out front, waiting for me. I usually have Andrew drive me so I can get work done in the limo during the drive. But not today. Today is different.
I try to remember the easy feeling I had this morning. The excitement of seeing her reaction as I settle into my seat and look at the phone sitting on top of my suit jacket. I’ll be in the office in twenty minutes, but I want to know now if she’s already there.
Charlotte. I did this for her. She could quit though. I imagine the thought has crossed her mind more than once since she found out.
As I go through the list of signatures, I spot her feminine writing.
I lean back easily as I start my car. It rumbles with a soft purr of satisfaction that mirrors what I’m feeling.
At least I have my Rose waiting for me.
Chapter 13
Charlotte
“Can you believe how amazing this is?” I ask Eva, staring up at the tall Parker-Moore skyscraper. We’re both preparing to go inside for our first day of work, starting with the board meeting, but have to stop to admire the workmanship of Parker-Moore. This building has to be the tallest and finest corporate building in all of downtown.
Eva shades her eyes, squinting up into the sky. “It sure beats Armcorp’s, that’s for sure. Makes it look like a hut.”
“I guess we are about to get a pay raise,” I predict, stifling a yawn that creeps up regardless of the fact I’m an emotional wreck. Last night I was unable to sleep because my thoughts were consumed by Logan and what this all meant. I feel awful that I’m this exhausted on my first day at my new job, and I’m almost convinced I’m going to mess something major up and end up out on the street. At least Eva’s company during our carpool kept my mind off of Logan. And the fact that he’s now my boss. Thinking about it causes anxiety to wash through me, but I shove it down, gripping my purse as if it can save me. “There’s no way we won’t,” I say with as much confidence as I can manage.