36. Chapter 35
Chapter 35
Harvey
I stand there, staring at the peeling cream paint, my head hanging low. Slowly, I walk back to my car, feeling like I’ve left my heart in that apartment. They’re everything to me, and without them, nothing else matters. I can still hear her sobbing behind the door, and all I want is to go in, hold her, and tell her I’m sorry until she believes me. I’ve failed her.
I drive to my parents’ house, shattering piece by fucking piece. Knowing she’s in pain is killing me. I have to fix this. Fix us. I’m dying inside.
With a heavy heart, I pull up to the modern New York house, ring the bell, and the longtime maid opens the door. My mom will be at work, but my dad might be here or at Grams’s. I hope he’s here.
“Hi Saylor, is Dad here?”
“Yes, Son, he's in his study,” she replies.
She calls me “Son” because she never had children of her own, and she watched me and my brothers grow up. I give her a hug as I enter.
“Do you need something to eat or drink?”
“No thanks,” I respond, not even able to think about food right now. The thought of disappointing my dad has my stomach in knots.
I walk across the light wooden floors to his study, finding the wooden door closed. Knocking, I wait until I hear him call out, “Come in.”
As I open the door, I suck in a deep breath. He’s sitting behind his desk, his head buried in a book.
My dad’s office is lined with bookshelves filled with a mix of fiction and nonfiction. His desk is cluttered with papers, and the walls are covered in art and framed newspaper clippings. The familiar scent of leather and old books hits me as I step inside.
“Harvey,” he says, glancing at his watch, probably wondering why I’m not at work. “What’s going on?”
“I need to talk to you about Recaredo Events,” I say as I walk into the room and take the chair opposite him.
He leans back in his chair, folding his arms. “What about it?”
“I failed,” I admit the words bitter on my tongue.
His brow furrows. “What do you mean, Son?”
“I couldn’t help her,” I say, my voice quieter now.
“Why not?”
I rub the back of my neck, gathering my thoughts. “She doesn’t want me to help her anymore.”
“That’s not an explanation. Start from the beginning.”
I slump forward, hands pressed to my forehead, head hanging between my shoulders, elbows resting on my knees. “We were working together, and everything seemed fine,” I say, my voice heavy. “Then I found out one of her long-term employees, a family friend, was embezzling and doing drugs. I paid him off to protect her.” I pause, letting out a slow exhale. “But he came back and told her I paid him off. I should’ve handled it differently.”
My dad’s gaze sharpens as he leans forward, his elbows on the desk. “Why didn't you go to the police?”
The weight of his question hits harder than I’d expected. My stomach twists as I drag a hand through my hair, tugging at the ends in frustration. “I thought I was doing the right thing.” My voice strains. “I didn’t want her reputation or business to take a hit. But it blew up in my face. I should’ve told her the truth.” I force myself to meet his eyes, even though it’s the hardest thing I’ve done all day. “I take full responsibility for that. I was wrong.”
His expression softens, but his tone remains firm. “As a businessman, I would advise you to call it in.”
I nod, feeling the heaviness of my mistake settle deeper in my chest. “I will.”
Reminding me of Jeremy when he’s deep in thought, he rubs his chin. I sink into the chair opposite his large wooden desk, my shoulders slumped in defeat. “I tried to win her back,” I say, staring at the floor. “It’s not about the firm anymore. I don’t care about that. I lost her, and her son, Chad. That’s what matters.”
“Did you fall for her?”
“Yeah,” I admit. Rubbing my hands down my face, I let out the breath I’d been holding. “But not just her. Chad too. And I lost both of them trying to help.”
Dad’s quiet for a second, then he moves to stand in front of me, arms crossed, head tilted to the side like he’s trying to figure me out. “You didn’t fail.”
That’s not what I expected to hear.
I snort, looking up at him through furrowed brows. “How? I’ve ruined everything good in my life.” Bitterness seeps into my words. “Feels like all I’ve done is lose.”
“You learned your lesson.”
“What lesson?” I scoff, hands thrown out. “That I’m a screw-up?” To me, it feels like I’ve fucked up everything. She was the love of my life. I told her that, and it still wasn’t enough.
His eyes stay on mine. “As your father, I need to remind you that family and love are more important than money.”
My heart’s pounding hard enough to feel it in my throat. Those words hang in the air, sinking into me. I always knew that, but maybe I didn’t show it on the outside.
A small grin tugs at the corner of his mouth. “You can have your inheritance.”
“No.” I sit up straight. “I don’t need the consulting firm.”
I need her. Money won’t fix this.
“You still went there, and learned about the business, and it’s growing. But you found love, and I hope I get to meet her.”
“What?” I blink, caught off guard.
“Go get your family, Son.”
I feel a smile tug at my lips. He said family, like it’s already mine.
“You don’t care that she has a kid?”
“I only care that you're happy.”
My dad’s eyes are misty, and I know he’s thinking about Grams and her battle with breast cancer. He wants us all to learn about love and family before it’s too late.
“Thanks, Dad,” I say as I stand.
“Don’t thank me,” he replies. “Just do something about it.”
My dad’s words echo in my mind. Call it in.
I pull out my phone, staring at the screen for a long moment. With a deep breath, I dial the non-emergency number.
“New York Police Department, how can I help you?”
“I need to report a case of embezzlement and narcotics possession,” I say, my voice steady despite the knot tightening in my stomach.
“Can you provide more details?”
“Yes,” I reply, glancing at my dad. He gives me a small nod of approval.
As I give them the information, a strange sense of relief washes over me. Maybe I can’t fix everything, but I can at least make this right.
When I hang up, the weight on my shoulders feels a little lighter.
It’s time to fight for what really matters.
Dad transferred my inheritance to me, but I can’t use it for the firm. My gut tells me it’s the wrong move. During my run this morning, I passed the park where I saw her and Chad, and the idea hits me right in the chest. A new project to help single moms or dads start their dream business or turn around a failing one.
I’m heading into the office for an emergency team meeting. For the first time in a while, I feel a sliver of warmth in my chest. She might not know I’m doing this for her, but somehow, it makes me feel connected to her. After the meeting, I’m going to her apartment to apologize again. My dad gave me new hope… not to give up on her because she’s worth the fight.
The meeting lasts an hour, and we finalize the name DreamMakers, along with the company’s values, mission statement and vision. My idea is coming to life. We’re meeting tomorrow to look at new spaces, and I’ve already canceled the offer for the firm.
It no longer feels right.
Now, I’m on my way to her apartment. My leg has been bouncing rapidly since I left, and I’m running over all the words I want to say. I rush out of the car and jog up the stairs, knock, but she’s not there. She might already be at work. I pass Jade and Pedro on my way down.
“Hi. Do you know where Jemima is?”
“She moved apartments,” Pedro informs me as his wife eyes me suspiciously.
“Can you give me her new address?” I ask softly.
Jade cuts in before Pedro can answer. “No. If she wanted you to know, she would’ve told you herself.”
I can’t help but admire their loyalty to her. They may not be her family, but they sure act like it.
“Alright, thanks anyway. Bye,” I say, rushing back to the car, heading straight to her office.