“It’s not about the money.”
Dad’s laugh made my jaw ache. It was a placating kind of laugh, and I knew he was likely shaking his head, too. “And that’s how I know you’re still young, my sweet daughter. You may think I’m being harsh, but I push you because I love you. I want the best for you. You’ve never had to live a life where money is tight. You’ve never experienced the things I did as a child — and I’m glad for that. I’m happy your mother and I could provide a better lifestyle for you than either of us had. But you don’t think about money because you’ve neverhadto.”
I swallowed, my chest flushing with something between rage and shame. He was right, of course. But I hated that he was using my privilege to discount my passion.
“And as your father, sometimes I have to play the bad guy in order to set you up for success.”
Mom had either left the room or was staying silent, as usual. How I wished she was the kind of mom who would step in at times like this. How would it feel to hear her hush my father for once, to tell him to mind his business while she asked me more about whatever it was that made me happy?
What would it be like, to have the support of evenoneparent?
“I’m happy, Dad,” I said, and Eli put a hand on my knee, squeezing. My eyes stung with that little sign of support. “I’m making a name for myself. Iamsuccessful, and some day, I’ll be running a superyacht all on my own as the sole purser.”
“And you’ll never be home for a holiday again.”
I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. I was all too aware of the camera that had sidled up outside my open door to watch this all unfold, as well as the eyes that flicked my way as they passed. I looked up just in time to see Finn pausing behind the cameraman, his brows pinched together in concern.
Gisella pulled him away, and I blinked.
“You’re working for other people right now when you could have other people working foryou.”
“I do have a team working for me,” I corrected him. “I’m chief stew, Dad. I run the entire interior. I have three stripes, each one hard earned. You always told me to work for what I want in this life, and now I’m doing that and you’re telling me it’s not enough.”
“Now don’t go putting words in my mouth.” His voice turned stern, all the sweet cadence gone in an instant. “You are a young lady with free will to make the choices you deem appropriate for your life. But I am your father. And it is perfectly acceptable for me to want better for my child than cleaning toilets.”
I closed my eyes, my throat tight with the effort to hold in my emotion.
“Okay, Dad. Well, I just wanted to call to check in,” I said, and my voice sounded as cold as I felt on the inside. “I love you. Give Mom a hug for me.”
“We love you, too. And I’m…”
He sighed. I almost thought he was going to apologize, but I knew he was too proud for that.
Besides, he’d meant every word he said.
“I’m sure the show is exciting. Maybe when I watch it, I’ll understand more. But… this isn’t a real career, Ember. It’s a phase. A detour. You’re smarter than this. And I just want you to know you always have other options. You can always change your path.”
My ribcage constricted at the thought of them watching the show.
Just like when I’d accepted the offer, I knew this was my chance to let them into my world. It was my only opportunity for them to see what I did and truly understand it, to value it, to valueme.
Which meant I needed to tighten up.
Because if I did get their attention, if they really did watch the show? I wanted my parents to see their daughter working hard and making moves.
Not making a fool of herself over some boy.
“Bye, Dad,” I whispered, and then ended the call.
I’d almost forgotten Eli was there until he blew out a breath. “Okay, then?”
I nodded, but my eyes were welling when he pulled me into his massive chest for a hug.
“Ag, shame,liefie,” he said, kissing my temple before he pulled back. “Listen, your old man doesn’t know what he’s missing. You’re killing it here. And tonight, it’s about you, me, and enough drinks to forget he even called, neh?”
He gave me a playful nudge, eyes twinkling warmly, before standing up and offering his hand.
“Now put on one of those lekker little numbers you packed and let’s go dance.”