Elara stilled.
“I don’t really believe in fate,” I continued, my thumb brushing over the back of her hand. “Not after everything I’ve lived through.” I let out a small breath. “But… for me to meet you like this, when I needed someone the most…” My voice softened. “And you just… gave.”
I shook my head a little. “I don’t think that’s random. I want you in my life forever. I want to be like you when I grow up. If you’d take it, I’d give you everything I have.”
Elara shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes.
“You’re trying to make me cry because you’re always crying,” she said. “If Julian sees me, he’s going to be jealous because he can’t—”
“Can’t what?” a voice said. “What is it I can’t do?”
Julian’s voice came from the back door. He stepped outside, smelling like steak. He looked from Elara’s wet face to mine. “Why are you two crying? What happened?”
Elara wiped her eyes quickly. “Nothing. We’re not crying.”
“You’re literally wiping tears from your face.”
“Allergies.”
“It’s February.”
“February allergies.”
Julian looked at me. I shrugged.
“You made her cry? She never cries for me,” Julian said, crossing his arms and actually glaring at me.
Elara mock-whispered, “I told you.”
I laughed. I couldn't help it.
“Oh my God,” she said. “You are so annoying.”
Julian looked between us. “I’m just saying,” he muttered. “I deserve at least one dramatic crying moment.”
We both started laughing. Hysterically. Lionel ran up out of nowhere and, with no idea what was going on, started laughing too.
Chapter 50: Chloe
The glass doors hissed open. The marble floors of the New Orleans headquarters were polished enough to see my own reflection clearly shining back at me. I was in awe. I hadn’t stepped foot in either the New Orleans or Florida locations since my mother was alive. It felt strange—like walking through a memory.
I was wearing a simple silk shift dress in white. Repetto ballet flats, the kind you could only buy in Paris, were on my feet—heels were a "no" for now.
I walked past the reception desk, where my cousin Cedrick was finishing a conversation with a group of executives. When the board had been searching for a new CEO to stabilize the company after my father’s scandal, I put him forward after learning he had an MBA and a Juris Doctor. He’d beaten every other candidate on merit. I liked that he was family. I never got to meet my grandparents, but I thought they’d be proud. He caught my eye and gave me a respectful nod. He was a good man. He was the future.
I made my way to the executive conference room where the final turnover was happening. Elara was at the head of the table, dressed to the nines in a power suit. She had picked me up from the airport last night. Over the last three months, she’d been my hands and feet while I was traveling, managing themessy transition. Her mother-in-law had been handling Esme by herself. It was hard to believe there were so many capable women in the world.
I realized when I started being asked questions and shown contracts that I was not suited for this. I didn't even have a high school diploma. I waited for her to finish instructing everyone. When the room finally cleared, Elara let out a long breath and slumped back into her chair, a grin spreading across her face.
"It's done," she said. "You're officially a silent partner in your own empire. No more board meetings, no more paperwork." Her eyes dropped to my waist, her smile softening. "Your belly is so big."
I rested a hand on my stomach. "I know. My back is suffering."
Elara stood up and walked over, leaning against the table. "Have you spoken to him, Chloe? It's been almost six months since you left."
I looked out the window at the New Orleans skyline. I hadn't called him. I hadn't texted. He hadn't, either.
"No. I'm bitter. He's the one who told me to leave," I whispered. "I think I need to, though. I think it's time." I looked down at my belly. "What do I even say to him?"