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“Because…because my dad needs help.”

Despite Matthew’s desire and attempt to remain cool, indignation simmered in his belly. Not for Winnie, but for her father. “Your dad is a grown man with an established firm. I’m sure he could handle this on his own.”

“No, you don’t get it.” She broke off with a sigh. “He asked for help. He’s been trying to build up his firm for years, and he finally found the company to help him do it, but he’s worried that the deal will fall through. He’s asked me to help him, Matthew. Me.” She took a step toward him. “Do you know how long I’ve waited for this? For him to see my value? For him to trust me? If I can make this work, I think he’ll finally be proud of me.”

Matthew longed to shout out how nonsensical she was being. They both knew she’d never be enough for her dad. He was just that sort of person. She’d said so herself.

But then, who was he to talk? From the time Winnie had arrived at Foxwood, Matthew had wanted to make his own dad happy—wanted to make him proud. Such was the prerogative of children and parents.

The difference was, though, that deep down, Matthew had always known that his father was proud of him, no matter how many mistakes he made. But Winnie? She’d never been given that luxury—no, that basic human right.

“Matthew?”

Winnie’s voice pulled him from his thoughts.

“What are you thinking?” she asked, her voice holding a tentative tone to it, as if she was afraid to hear the truth.

He proceeded as carefully as he could, not wishing to injure her the way she’d already injured him. “Does your dad really need you…or is he just using you?”

Winnie tipped her head to the side, her lips pulled into a frown. “I’m not stupid, Matthew. I know he’s using me. But after everything my parents have done for me, what kind of daughter would I be if I didn’t help them?” She paused with an impatient sigh when he didn’t respond. “Don’t you get it? I think I can turn this around to benefit from the job myself. I’ll get prestige, experience, and, like I said, I’ll have finally earned Dad’s pride and trust for myself.”

“You shouldn’t have to earn it,” he said softly.

“Yeah, well, I wasn’t lucky enough to have been born into a perfect family, Matthew.” Her brow furrowed, her voice tense as she responded defensively. “That’s what we Knoxes do. We come from a cutthroat environment. If we don’t act how we’re expected to, we get left behind, and that’s exactly what will happen to me and to my dad if I don’t do this.”

“So that’s what matters most to you, not getting left behind in a corporate world?”

She looked away. “No, helping my dad is more important.” Her answer was weak, her tone unconvincing.

“Why?” he asked, desperate for her to admit the truth.

“Because not helping him would be selfish.”

“That’s not true. Not when it makes you sacrifice your own needs. Your hopes and dreams are just as valid as everyone else’s, Winnie.”

“Maybe in a perfect world. Not in mine.”

He shook his head, trying to keep his frustration at bay because he knew it was only a mask for the pain pinching at his heart.

“Your intentions are honorable,” he said. “But they’re flawed. You’re not leaving Foxwood to help your dad. You’re leaving because you’re scared.”

Tears brimmed in her eyes. He’d found the truth.

His heart softened, and he dared a step toward her. “I get it. You’re scared to stand up to him, to stand up for your own dreams. I would be, too. Giving up is easy. But following your heart? That takes courage.”

He paused, praying his words would have some effect on her, but when she shook her head, all hope fled.

“I’m sorry,” she said softly. “That is courage I don’t have. And a choice I don’t have either.”

Her words pricked at his heart, his will to continue slipping through his fingers. “Everyone has a choice, Winnie. You can choose to stay here. Or you can choose to leave. It’s as simple as that.”

“Nothing is ever as simple as that,” she replied.

Matthew didn’t respond. What was the point? She’d already made her decision.

“I don’t want to go,” she whispered, her voice breaking. Their eyes connected, tears brimming in those gray pools he’d grown to love. “The last few weeks have been…”

Her words trailed off as Matthew shook his head. He couldn’t bear listening to what she had to say. “It’s fine,” he said. “You don’t have to do that.”