“I think we’ve already said everything there is to say, don’t you think?” I said interrupting him.
Why the hell did I keep hoping for a cinematic moment? That clearly wasn’t in the cards.
I bobbed my head at the various colleagues I passed on my way out knowing that I probably wouldn’t see them again unless I had a client who wanted their wedding here. Drew was still behind me as I walked out to the parking lot. It was late enough that no one was milling around in the lobby or parking lot. The night was clear, and the moon cast a blue glow on us. I kept my distance from him since we were now nothing more than colleagues.
“Thank you again for your hard work,” Drew said.
“I’m glad it turned out okay,” I replied. I hoped I was hiding how raw I felt. Drew seemed to be perfectly fine with the end of our charade, so I could be too.
It was a lie, but I could fake it.
I turned to walk away, still hoping against hope that Drew would come to his senses and realize that he was making a mistake. I could feel him watching me, but I kept walking.
“Emilia.”
My heart started pounding like I’d just finished a sprint. I turned around slowly, hopeful but wary.
“Yes?”
The moment I saw his expression, my heart sank. He was stony-faced, as usual.
“Take care of Winston. And please give your grandfather my best.”
I bit the inside of my cheek, hoping the physical pain would short circuit the emotional ache.
“Yup, got it.”
I walked away, grateful for the darkness as the tears finally spilled down my cheeks.
28
DREW
“Thanks for joining me here today,” my dad said to the three of us gathered in the main Ashford HQ conference room. Oliver Ashford was seated at the head of the table in the hushed, wood-paneled space that felt more library than business hub. “It won’t take too long, but I figured given the scope of the conversation, it’s best for us to hash all of this out in person.”
“Do we need to brace ourselves?” Harrison asked warily. “Because I’m not sure I can take more breaking news.”
“Same,” Logan agreed.
I nodded. I’d been feeling like I was underwater since Emilia and Winston moved out. When I got home in the evenings, I went to sit in Winston’s old habitat. A part of me kept hoping the little guy would pop out from under the plants, a flower in his mouth. I desperately needed someone to talk to who wouldn’t judge.
The last thing I needed to add to my plate was some sort of family drama.
My father looked unbothered, but that seemed to be his level-set lately. I envied it.
“No, this shouldn’t come as any surprise seeing as I’ve been hinting at it for a while now. We need to discuss the restructuring of Ashford Enterprises once I’m gone.” His mouth twisted into a wry smile. “Hold on, I shouldn’t have framed it that way. Let’s correct that word choice; once I’mretired.”
The three of us shifted in our chairs, because none of us were on board with it. Our hopes that he’d reconsider were long gone, though. I glanced over at Harrison, because it stood to reason that as the oldest he’d assume the top position at the company.
That said, I was the one who was running the resort arm, which was the corporation’s original business, and which remained its largest revenue driver. Maybe there was a chance he was eyeing me as the new primary?
I wasn’t sure how to feel about either option.
“Yes, we’re here today to discuss succession. I haven’t shared my plans with anyone, not even the legal department, because I wanted you to weigh in before I finalized anything.”
“We appreciate it,” Harrison said. He glanced at me and Logan. “But you need to know that we still think you’re making a mistake.”
My father bowed his head and stared at his hands for a moment, like he needed to gather his strength for the battle to come.
