Chapter 6 - The Truth About Carter Holdings
Vanessa’s deception unraveled quickly.
Digital forensic investigators recovered the original emails.
My messages had been altered.
The court reopened parts of the divorce settlement.
The judge restored my reputation in the record and ordered a review of the financial agreement.
Carter Holdings fired Vanessa and referred evidence of her unauthorized disclosures to counsel.
But Adrian faced consequences too.
At the next board meeting, he stood before the directors.
“I failed this company.”
Nobody interrupted.
“I allowed a personal relationship to influence business decisions. I ignored warnings because I believed I was the smartest person in every room.”
His eyes briefly found mine.
“I wasn’t.”
The chairman asked:
“What are you proposing?”
“I step down as CEO for six months.”
The room erupted.
I didn’t.
Adrian continued.
“Emma becomes interim CEO.”
Now I reacted.
“Absolutely not.”
Several directors laughed nervously.
Adrian almost smiled.
“You always did hate being volunteered.”
“Especially by you.”
The chairman looked at me.
“Would you consider it?”
I looked at Lily’s photograph beside my laptop.
I had spent years helping create Carter Holdings.
Then I had been pushed out of it.
Maybe returning wasn’t revenge.
Maybe it was simply taking back something I had earned.
“Six months,” I said.
Adrian nodded.
“Six months.”
“And you report to the board.”
“Yes.”
“Not to me.”
“Yes.”
“And no interfering.”
He hesitated.
“Define interfering.”
The room laughed.
I stared at him.
He raised both hands.
“Understood.”
Six months later, revenue had increased eleven percent.
The dangerous acquisition was dead.
Two new projects had launched.
And Carter Holdings offered me the CEO position permanently.
I accepted.
Adrian remained chairman, but our relationship had changed.
He listened now.
Sometimes.
He was still Adrian.
But there was one place where he changed completely.
With Lily.
He never missed a pediatric appointment.
He learned how to change diapers.
Badly.
He once arrived at my apartment carrying six different formulas because I had casually mentioned Lily seemed fussy after feeding.
“Six?” I asked.
“The pharmacist gave me options.”
“You bought the entire shelf.”
“I wanted to be prepared.”
I laughed.
It surprised both of us.
Adrian smiled.
It was the first uncomplicated moment we had shared in years.
Then Lily grabbed his finger.
He looked down.
Everything in his face softened.
“Emma?”
“Yes?”
“I know I don’t deserve another chance with you.”
I didn’t answer.
“I’m not asking for one.”
“Good.”
“I’m asking for a chance to be her father.”
I looked at Lily.
Then at him.
“That chance was always yours.”
His eyes met mine.
“As long as you don’t throw it away.”
May you like
“I won’t.”
This time, I believed he understood what the promise meant.
