Chapter 21
The morning sunlight filters in as I lie motionless, studying the ceiling”s carved moldings. Outside, waves rhythmically kiss the shore while seagulls trill cheerfully. I remained wide awake all night, afraid of falling sleep.
Maybe this relationship could work after all. I just need to figure out a way to evade sleep every night.
Maddie is still slumbering, chest rising and falling steadily beside me. Her lips are curled into a hint of a smile, perhaps reliving last night. I gently smooth a stray lock of her tousled hair, overwhelmed again by protective tenderness for her.
Unable to bear waking her yet, I slip silently from the plush blankets. I dress hastily and make my way downstairs.
Soon, the aromatic scent of dark roast fills the sunlit space. Through wide glass doors, I spot Walt settling comfortably onto patio furniture, newspaper in one hand and a steaming mug nearby. We exchange easy nods as I make my own coffee, then take the adjacent chair. A brown pelican soars silently above the shimmering waters as we sip our brew, and I peer out meditatively at the horizon.
Walt rustles his pages down, meeting my eyes over the reading glasses perched on his prominent nose.
“So, about this PTSD tech rollout. I know you”re still thinking, but signing Walsh is clearly the best option.”
I swallow more scalding coffee, shaking my head. “I know you invited him here hoping to seal the deal with him. But I’m still leaning toward Hanes Robotics, as odd as that sounds. Their goals align closer with ours. And frankly, Walsh”s zeal puts me off some.”
Walt frowns. “Jack my boy, you’ve got to see the obvious! Walsh can deliver at ten times the scale of those new kids.” He taps the business section of the paper meaningfully. “Our shareholders need returns, not a charity case.”
I brace against the familiar frustration rearing its ugly head. No one pushes my buttons as good as my father does. “But Hanes’ cutting-edge interface is literally mind-altering. Their innovation and willingness to take a leap is what I’m looking for.”
“Pah! That’s pointless if you lack the proper distribution channels and scale,” Walt counters, waving his hand vehemently. “I built this empire by pursuing long lasting partnerships. Walsh will lock in our dominance for another decade, easy.”
His absolute confidence gives me pause.
“Let me think it over some more. I hear what you’re saying, but sometimes you have to go with your gut.”
Walt just sniffs, clearly unmoved. We sip our coffee amid crying gulls, for now, stuck at an impasse.
After a pause, he presses on. “I don”t like this startup gamble, Jack. My legacy must continue a carefully charted course.” His face darkens, tone sharpening. “Don”t screw up my company for some misguided moral quest.”
Irritation flares hearing him disparage my motives, as if my entire career hasn”t been in the service of others. “Misguided? Helping suffering veterans reclaim their dignity matters more than dividends, Father! And remember, I have financed the pilot from my own private funds, without relying on Whitmore Tech.”
Walt pounds the table, making both our mugs jump. “You never had proper business sense, always off chasing idealism!”
His dismissiveness of the trauma haunting soldiers ignites my defiance.
“This will bring profits, don’t you worry. But maybe I do lack the cutthroat instincts needed to steer your precious Whitmore toward that endless pile of billions you are pining for. Get it in your head for once that I’m not interested.” I stand abruptly, chair skidding back. “Wealth is good, don’t get me wrong. But that’s because with it, you get to serve others better. I’m grateful for how I grew up and for the possibilities you opened for me. But if you want me to always place money over human decency, then think again. This project is moving forward the way I envision it, with or without Whitmore. And you are free to look for another successor if you so choose.”
Walt sighs and points at my empty seat. “Sit back down, Jack! We still have important matters to settle.”
I remain standing, pulse elevated. Walt continues, undaunted.
“Let’s give it a few days, then speak again about Walsh. You’ve always had principles, and I admire that. But if you insist on doing this project on your terms, the least you can do for me is to ensure that the family legacy thrives. Maddie seems like a good match for you.”
Fury blazes at hearing him continue to meddle in my life.
Noticing my flaring nostrils, Walt waves aside my outrage. “Marry this girl soon and produce an heir. Unless you”ve got cold feet there too.”
I slam both palms on the tabletop, rattling the cutlery. “Back off. Stop trying to dictate every area of my life!”
His eyebrows shoot up incredulously.
“I”m not some wind-up toy programmed for your agenda, old man!” Rage is pouring out of meunchecked now. “I followed orders like a good soldier before. But no more. You don”t own my personal choices!”
Walt rises to his full height, matching my undisguised contempt. “Then you don”t deserve to run Whitmore if you insist on these foolish defiant whims!”
We stand unmoving, at a bitter impasse years in the making. The only sounds are waves crashing indifferently as I resist my deepest urge—to walk away from his choking expectations for good this time.
“If you won’t listen to me on the direction of Whitmore, I need you to at least get that girl pregnant as soon as possible.”
I scoff in disbelief. “She”s practically a kid herself. You have no business expecting her to be a mother.”
“Then why the devil are you getting hitched to an immature child?” Walt demands.
I shift uncomfortably. “She was convenient, and I went with the easy solution.”
Walt scowls incredulously. “Convenient? I thought you are in love?”
“I’m having second thoughts,” I reply tersely. “We’re not suited for each other.”
“Well, sort this out!” Walt snarls impatiently. “I want grandkids. Then I will still have time to guide and teach them to develop this empire in the direction I envisioned.”
Revulsion tightens my gut. “I refuse to recklessly impregnate a child bride just to satisfy your patriarchal fantasy!”
I freeze, spotting Maddie behind us with eyes full of anguished tears.
As Maddie turns and runs away, Walt sighs heavily, realizing that she overheard us. “Way to muck this up. Better go after her and fix this shit.”
I sprint after her, sand kicking up behind my pounding steps. “Maddie, please wait!” I call out hoarsely, my heart thundering.
She whirls around, her chest heaving. Angry tears stream down her face even as defiance flashes in her eyes. “What is it that you even want to talk about with a child?”
I stop, stunned by the blistering contempt so unlike her usual warmth. “I know what I said was thoughtless and hurtful, but it came from the frustration I have with Walt, not?—”
“Oh, spare me!” she interrupts me derisively. “You”ve told me plainly again and again that we can’t work. Well, the joke’s on me for imagining that you could love me back.”
As I try to reach for her hands, she recoils as if scalded.
“Do not touch me,” she lashes out through ragged breaths. “Don”t you dare touch me ever again!”
I flinch as she straightens, fresh resolve in her eyes. At arm’s length, I freeze, stunned by her blistering fury. “I”m so sorry you overheard all that.”
Though to be honest, I hadn’t lied to my father when I spoke of her. And I have always told her clearly where we stood. Even so, this feels like a betrayal. Because the only thing I haven’t told Walt is that I have developed genuine feelings despite all the reasons we shouldn’t be together. I haven’t even wanted to admit it to myself.
She swipes her face harshly before raising her chin to meet my eyes. I”ve never seen her so hardened, a storm raging within her yet somehow eerily contained. Her anguished tears have crystallized into icy fortitude.
“I heard just what I needed,” she returns. “I’m a child bride. I was convenient. You have second thoughts.” She sighs heavily. “Nothing you haven’t been telling me over and over. I shouldn’t be this upset.”
She pauses, considering her next move. “Well, you know what, Jack Whitmore?” She emphasizes the name sarcastically before continuing, “Fuck you. And fuck your daddy.”
With a determined breath, she brushes a stray hair from her face. “Here’s what’s going to happen now. I will finish this contract with you as I promised. I can stay in the brownstone for a while longer if you need me to. But you must figure out a way to let Walt down gently, and soon. It will be a cold day in hell before I stick around for a minute longer than the agreed upon six months. And let me make this convenient and easy on you.” The emphasis is blistering. “Anything that was real between us is now over.” She spits out the words, her posture rigid with outrage. “Actually, who am I kidding? You never had any feelings for me anyway. I should be thanking you for the reminder.”
With icy finality, she turns from me and walks away down the windswept beach.
I stay behind, watching her, a sense of dread and loss lingering.
But it is better this way.