“You’re not focused on expansion or acquisitions.You don’t have the risk tolerance I have.But you bring a steadiness that we need.It could be that both you and your mother are right.That it’s time to look at the changing business landscape.There are times for growth, particularly into emerging markets, but there are also times to consolidate so that sustainable growth can occur.”
“And that provides the capital to invest elsewhere.”There was silence for a moment, then she continued, “You know, Mother is right about other things, too.You can focus your energies where you want, maybe go play a round of golf in Scotland like you’ve always wanted.And technology can be taught.You can work from Tuscany—”
He shuddered.
“Or the UK.Or your club.”
He looked around.“I’m not ready to step down as chairman of the board.”
“No one else wants that, either.”
“I’m clear on one thing, Lara.I can’t allow you to sacrifice yourself for this company.”
She shook her head.
“Donovan,” he explained.“The man’s shrewd.Smart.And you’re wrong about his communications offer.It was insulting.”
“It was a starting point.And if you look at it as part of the whole, as a chance to have cash to put into our global capitalization efforts, into energy, it’s well-worth considering.”
“He stands to make millions.”
“And so do we,” she countered.“Frankly, I wish them well.It’s a competitive marketplace, and it’s not in our sweet spot.We don’t have the cash to execute on some of our patents.And we’ve lost some of our key talent to competitors.This is the time to divest ourselves.”
“It’s not how I do business.”
“No.It’s not,” she agreed.
“I’ll agree to let you negotiate the sale.”
She nodded, not betraying the way her inner executive was jumping up and down.She realized what the decision had cost her father.
“But I won’t have you marrying Donovan.”
Her shoulders sagged.“I beg your pardon?”
“I had a lot of good years with your mother.It’s my fault the marriage ended.But marriage is hard enough when you love someone.I appreciate the sacrifice you were willing to make.But it won’t be necessary.We’ll begin the search for a president, maybe a CEO.I lost your mother, Lara.I won’t lose you.Marry him and I’ll show up to fight you every step.”His jaw was set in determination.
“It’s not like you think,” she said, her thoughts fracturing.
“Did he get down on one knee and propose to you?Tell you he would love you forever?Then it’s exactly as I think.I didn’t work my entire life for you to give up yours.Not having the support of someone you love makes life a fucking quagmire.”With that he stood and showed himself out.
As if frozen, she remained in place.
The idea that she didn’t have to marry Connor shot relief through her, but the feeling was shrouded in grief.Already, being with him every day and knowing he would never love her was debilitating.A future of it might have destroyed her.
She knew she should be rejoicing.But she couldn’t.
Lara pressed her trembling hands to her face as she sorted through her options, not that there were many.Sanity and saving her relationship with her father versus two years with a man who would never love her?Even she wasn’t that strong.
This morning, she’d woken up knowing she’d end the day as Mrs.Donovan.The course for the next couple of years had been plotted, and her strategy had been in place.Now that the ground had shifted, she felt uncertain.And she still had an agreement with Connor.
She paced to the window and stared out, unseeing.
If she didn’t love him, she wouldn’t feel this conflicted.She could simply tell him she’d worked out her issues and thank him for his willingness to help.
But she did love him.
And that made this one of the most difficult things she’d ever had to do.She told herself better now than later, but that meant she’d miss out on two years of memories and experiences.
