Page 120

“Why don’t you and your father go talk in the studio while I chat with Camila,” my mother says, smiling brightly at Camila.
I look down at my wife. I don’t want to leave her alone with my mother unless she feels comfortable.
Camila gives me a strained nod. I peck her lips and kiss Ava’s head before making my way to the studio.
I can hear my father’s heavy footsteps behind me, each one a reminder of the tension lingering between us.
As we enter the studio, I look him in the eye. I want to make sure he’s not going to explode like he did a couple of weeks ago.
“What caused the change of heart?” I ask, pouring a glass of scotch. I drink it in one big gulp and serve a second.
I motion for my father, silently asking if he wants one, but he shakes his head.
“The moment we got home, I realized the huge mistake I made—judging you instead of listening to your reasoning,” he says as he exhales a deep sigh. “I chose to believe Owen over you, and that’s simply unacceptable.”
I sip my scotch as I give my father time to continue talking.
“In retrospect, I can see now why you didn’t tell me you were getting married. I put you in an impossible position, and all you were trying to do was fulfill my wishes,” he says, his voice breaking.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen my father so emotional.
“I should have trusted you—trusted that I had raised you well. Instead, I came demanding even more from you.”
I walk closer to where he’s standing and wait for him to look up.
“Yes, Father. You should have trusted me. I knew what I was doing,” I say, and I can see a hint of a smile on his face.
“The truth is, my trip to Chile opened my eyes.”
I take a seat in one of the chairs across from my desk, and my father settles in the chair beside me.
“You knew what you were doing by sending me there. The moment I finally stopped assuming I knew everything and took the time to listen, I saw the vineyard in a new light. I knew I needed to go back and take charge.”
My words seem to calm my father. I guess he was expecting me to fire back, but he came to apologize. So I’m going to do my part and meet him halfway.
“But the main reason I listened to what employees had to say was my wife.”
My father's eyebrows form an arch, and I chuckle.
“Yes, Camila was Mrs. Evans’s replacement, and from the very first moment we spoke, she made sure to let me know she’s a strong and determined woman. She made me see the value of really listening to our employees. And then, when I came back to London, I met her, and that was it. The more time I spent with her and her daughter, I fell in love with them.”
A smile forms on my face as an image of Camila and Ava forms in my mind.
“I can see they are good for you, son,” he says, patting my knee.
“Even Gabo spoke highly about Camila and gushed over how cute Ava is.”
Now it’s my turn to raise an eyebrow.
“So you not only listened to Owen, who, by the way, tried to claim Ava’s paternity to extort money from me, but you also spoke with Gabo before coming here?” I ask, a mix of confusion and something like disappointment washing over me.
“Again, I know I didn’t handle this situation well. But I didn’t contact Gabo about this. He called me to tell me how amazing they were and what a big mistake I’ve made.”
I release a deep breath at my father’s words.
“And what is this nonsense about Owen? You’ll have to tell me later if there’s anything I can do to help. Right now, I simply want to apologize to you and Camila, and spend some time with you all,” my father says, his voice strong but kind tone.
I nod as I smile at him and lean closer to give him a hug. I know I didn’t need his approval, but it’s good to be back on good terms with him. He’s been my role model since I was a kid.