Every single person sitting in the conference room looks over at me, including my brothers. Declan’s dark brows raise while Rowan’s brown eyes go wide. My father faces forward with a clenched jaw, a permanent expression he has worn ever since I took my first breath.
The older man at the front of the room giving the presentation fiddles with his clicker before progressing to the next slide. “Right. Carrying on… Our research shows that families are cutting back on monthly subscription services due to increased competition and oversaturation of the market. Based on our polls, we were voted the second most likely subscription service to be cut from families’ budgets.”
“Did you ask them why that was?” I press.
“Well…yes. It comes down to two main things: affordability and content.”
“But if it was truly an issue of affordability, then other streaming services would be struggling just as much.”
Rowan turns toward me, pinning me with his dark gaze. “What’s gotten into you?”
I give him a nonchalant shrug. “My interest is piqued.”
“Then we better take advantage before you lose it again.” His brown eyes light up.
I know my brother means well, but all he does is discourage me from continuing my line of questions. The last thing I want is to give people a reason to want more from me. Being the family reject is an easy gig, and Rowan’s comment reminds me of that.
No expectations. No disappointments.
My life motto.
After the board meeting, Declan waves me down to talk but someone distracts him, giving me time to escape. I’m not in the mood to deal with him after our fight last week. My walk to the elevators is a quick one, with no one bothering to stop me to chat.
The doors begin to shut, but a hand shoots out, causing them to reopen. They part to reveal the one person I wouldn’t want to share a single second with, let alone the minute trip it takes to get to the lobby.
You knew there was a risk of this happening.
My father’s usual scowl only deepens as he takes a look at me with his dark, beady eyes. “Leaving already?”
“Now that I crossed offannoying youfrom today’s to-do list, I’m all done.” I readjust my suit for the umpteenth time.
“Do you have any intention of doing something useful with your life?”
“I’m not sure. I considered learning to juggle, but then I saw a video about ukuleles, so I started getting into that during my spare time.”
He scoffs. “Your entire life is considered spare time. You have no job, no purpose, noanythingbut a loaded trust fund that shouldn’t even be yours.”
“I see you’re still bitter about Mom setting up that trust fund for me without your knowledge, but you should really let it go. My therapist says it isn’t good to keep all that inside.”
“The only bitterness I have toward your mother is her soft spot foryou.”
I give his shoulder a squeeze, matching the way my chest feels from his words. “Aw, Pops. Don’t hold it against her. She believed in you too after all, and we know what a monster you turned out to be.”
His nostrils flare. “You’re such a disappointment.”
“At least I’m doing one thing right.”
“You think this is funny? That being the family joke is an accomplishment? Wake up. You’re a pathetic waste of space who shouldn’t even be allowed in this building given how you’re a stain to our last name.”
My chest throbs, but I hide my pain with a smile. “This might be the most you’ve talked to me in an entire year.”
My father makes a noise in the back of his throat. Disdain rolls off him in waves, but I ignore it. I learned long ago that getting angry and showing his words matter means he wins.
I can’t wait to earn my shares and ruin my father’s chance at ever controlling the company again. Whatever letter and inheritance my grandfather left him will never add up to the percentage of shares my brothers and I will have combined. Even if he inherits the 6 percent of shares that are still unaccounted for, he will never have enough power to overturn us again.
Tension builds between us, with neither of us saying a single word. He stares at me like I’m the bane of his existence, and I do everything to keep my smile in place.
Kill them with kindness, Mom used to say.