Iflip the green chip, studying the writing engraved into the curved edge. After spending three months in AA, I feel stronger than ever. Everything seems to be going right for me. Once I show Leo the chip, I’m all set to move on with my life and leave the will in the past.
“Still committed to staying sober?” My father stands up beside me. The last few stragglers find their way out of the meeting room, leaving me alone with him.
“Why do you care?”
“I don’t.”
I release a soft laugh as I stand. My head clears his by a couple of inches. “You know what I find interesting?”
His dark gaze peers into me. “What?”
“I spent the better part of my life always making excuses for you. I thought that if you got sober, you would be better.Kinder. But it turns out, you’re just the same miserable person with or without alcohol. And you know why?”
His eyes narrow. “I’m sure you’ll tell me whether I care or not.”
“You hate yourself, and no amount of alcohol is going to change that. You’re a pathetic person with equally pathetic wishes who will never find happiness, whether you search for it at the bottom of a bottle or with an inheritance you don’t deserve.” With one final look at my father, I walk away, leaving him burning a hole into my back.
It wasn’t until I confronted my self-hatred that I realized my father and I shared the same issue. That he and I were two sides of the same coin, turning our hatred of ourselves into a weapon—him against the world and me against myself.
But unlike him, I’m here because I refuse to give up on myself.
Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever again.
Since I’m already in Chicago for the AA meeting, I decide to stay the night and attend the board meeting the following day. As much as I want to head back to Lake Wisteria, there are a few things I need to do before I can.
Declan sits at the head of the table, occupying my father’s usual spot.
“Where’s Seth?” the Head of Product Development asks.
“I will be standing in as CEO for the time being.” Declan doesn’t look up from his phone.
“And how long is that?” someone else asks.
“Indefinitely.” Declan doesn’t blink.
Rowan shoots me a puzzled look. I press my lips together to stop myself from smiling. Declan wanted to surprise Rowan about the pregnancy after today’s meeting while Iris has brunch with Zahra now to share the news.
The meeting is short. Business is good and everything is running as it should, minus Seth no longer sitting at the head of the table.
When Arnold, the Head of Acquisitions and Sales for the DreamStream Division, stands and gives his monthly report, I keep my mouth clamped shut. Rowan nudges me once, but I ignore him. I’ve spent the last three months speaking with Arnold privately, not that my brother is aware.
Turns out the solution wasn’t trying to fit myself into a company role but rather developing a role that fits me, my needs, and my interests. While I want to help the streaming company be the best version of itself, I don’t want to be in charge of the whole damn thing. Leadership isn’t my style. Becoming a consultant or something less obligatory is more my speed, all while giving me the ability to actually speak on behalf of the company and acquire new projects.
Once the meeting is adjourned, I pull Arnold aside to schedule our next meeting with his team. I don’t have an assistant or anything fancy, so I coordinate everything myself.
My brothers stick around, whispering behind my back. It’s not until the room clears out that I finally face them.
I turn around and cross my arms. “Are you two done talking about me?”
“What was that?” Declan motions toward the spot Arnold just occupied.
“Don’t worry about it.”
His eyes light up. “Keeping secrets from your new CEO already?”
Rowan’s jaw drops open. “Is it official?”
Declan spares him a glance. “Not until the lawyer draws up the final paperwork.”