NINETEEN
The clinking of Veronica’s manicured nails against her laptop keys fills the silence of the penthouse kitchen. I’m sitting across from her at the massive marble island, my laptop open and a spreadsheet staring back at me like it’s written in another language. The numbers blur together, and my head aches from trying to keep up.
It’s fucking Sunday.
Why do we have to do this shit on a Sunday?
I suppress a sigh, glancing at her. She’s poised, laser-focused, her lips pressed into that habitual thin line. But the tension that used to accompany her presence, the weight of her constant disappointment feels… dulled. Distant.
Since I told her I wanted to be more involved five days ago, she’s taken me at my word. There’s no free time anymore, no lazy mornings or quiet afternoons. My life has become an endless cycle of meetings, reports, and discussions similar to this one. And the worst part?
I understand jack shit about most of it.
“Nicholas,” she says sharply, snapping my attention back. “Are you even listening to me?”
“Yes, I’m sorry, Mother.” I run a hand through my hair, embarrassed at being caught zoning out. “I just… I think I’m not quite following.”
I brace for it, her scathing remark, her withering look. But instead, she tilts her head, her gaze oddly patient. “It’s fine,” she states dryly. “It’s a lot at the start. It can be overwhelming. Where did you get lost?”
I blink, stunned.
Her calm response feels so out of place it’s almost unsettling. This is the kind of interaction I used to dream about as a kid, some semblance of understanding or encouragement from her. And now that it’s here, I don’t trust it.
Because I don’t fucking trusther.
“It’s the part about the quarterly transfers,” I say hesitantly, testing her mood.
She nods, turning her laptop to face me and pointing to a specific line. “This. We structure it this way to avoid triggering any red flags during audits. Casinos generate large cash flows, which is perfect for reinvestment, but the key is to make it look legitimate. It’s standard practice.”
Standard practice.
The words churn in my stomach. Of course, I already knew the casinos were used for laundering money—she made no effort to hide that when I first asked.“It’s what everyone does,”she’d said, brushing it off like it was nothing. Like it wasn’t a massive fucking problem. But hearing her explain it again so calmly still makes my skin crawl.
“I see,” I reply, forcing a nod.
“Good.” She watches me closely, searching for cracks in my façade. “You’ll get the hang of it.”
I should feel relieved that she isn’t berating me. I should be grateful she’s treating me like I’m worth her time for once. But it irks me instead, twists my insides into knots.
Where was this version of her when I was a kid, desperate for her approval? When every small mistake earned me contempt and every accomplishment was dismissed?
Now, suddenly, I’m worth her while?
Her opinion changed when I told her I was ready to work with her. That’s all it took. Not my years of trying, not my pleas for recognition, only my willingness to step into her world.
She’s playing a part, trying to keep me close now that I’m useful. And God, it’s almost working.Almost.
But then I think of Oscar, and my resolve hardens. I told myself I wouldn’t waver, no matter how she tried to reel me in. I can’t let this fake version of her sway me.
I glance at her laptop, the screen angle allowing me to see the document she’s working on. I’ve tried to log in before when she left it unattended, but I can’t get around her passwords. Or guess them. I’d probably need Sylus’s help, though the thought of asking him makes my stomach twist.
For now, I do what I can. I’m wired, a small recorder hidden beneath my shirt, ready to capture anything she might slip up and say. It’s a long shot. She’s too careful to give me anything big. And I can’t pry too much, can’t risk her catching on.
“Nicholas,” her voice snaps me back from my wandering thoughts. “Are you lost again?”
I shake my head quickly. “No, just thinking.”
“Don’t overthink.” Her tone is almost dismissive now. “Focus. This isn’t as complicated as it looks.”
