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Without a backward glance, I make my way for the doors to the outside. This room, with all the space for the vaulted ceiling, is too small for me at the moment.

CHAPTER37

Miles

My mother sees me coming and heads toward a table, greeting them as warmly as she knows how.

I wait a few moments, knowing that all of this is like a game of chess, working to see the angles and the way that I might come through and get the answers I need.

She tries to continue the small talk with the table, but it’s awkward and I step forward, flashing a smile to the table. “May I borrow my mother for a minute?”

I wave for her to follow me toward the hall, and we make it out into an area where I can actually think.

“What is going on? Since when are we bringing Tanya back? I should’ve been notified.”

My mother’s chin tips up a bit, showing the defiance in her eyes. “You’ve been too busy with your pretend fiancé to take much notice in the company. This is something that needs to happen, Miles.”

“Our relationship isn’t pretend, Mom,” I say, hope infusing my words. “We work together well, and I enjoy spending time with her. I love her, Mom.”

She shakes her head, frustration etched into her features. “You don’t know what love is. Love is something that can turn your whole world upside down with one diagnosis. It’s something that is only known by fools.”

My stomach constricts and I have to choke out the words, “Are you saying you weren’t a fool? That you didn’t love Dad?”

“What we had was different.”

“How do you know, Mom? You’ve barely spoken to Dani and, from everything I’ve heard, it was to try and warn her away from me.”

My words are more as a test than actual knowledge, but she doesn’t deny it.

“You’ll be better off with Tanya. You’ll be the next power couple of Boston. And think of how far you two can take this company in the next several decades. Something to pass down to your children.”

It’s then that my mind comes up with a different future. Not one filled with only meetings and mergers, but one with laughter and fun. Of course, work will have to be part of it, but I can’t continue like this.

Work that will help to ease the suffering of others.

“I quit.”

That seems to have gotten through to my mother. “What?”

“I’m done. Tell Tanya she can buy out my share of the company if she wants. I no longer want to play this game.”

“You can’t quit. You’re the namesake of this company. Everything your father and I built was for you.”

I nod. “I appreciate that mother, but you haven’t stopped trying to build my life even now. I have a brain that functions, that can make decisions that are right for me. And right now, my decision is to walk away and be with the woman I love.”

Without another word, I run back toward the party, panicking when I see Dani’s seat is empty.

I charge over to the table and glare at Tanya. “Where is Dani?”

“She might’ve gone to the ladies’ room. Or maybe she decided to head home. Shouldn’t you know what she’d do, as her fiancé that is?” Her words are a challenge, but my mind has lumped her in with my mother, people who can work together while I pursue my own path.

I try to be as casual as possible walking through the large room in the direction of one of the restrooms. Why would Dani leave?

Does she think this is what I want?

When a woman walks out of the restroom, I call, “Dani! Dani!” inside. There’s no response. I push the door open a bit, grateful for the wall that blocks everything on the other side. I don’t need people thinking I’m crazy.

“Dani, are you in here?”