hard to get a hold of. We’ve got a big potential auction on the table, and it’s taking all my focus.”
“I understand.”
“I assume you want to talk about the transition into becoming an agent. Have you done the homework I sent you?”
“Actually, I wanted to talk about my book—”
“Not this again, Cora.” Now she had her father’s attention. He looked at her with an expression that was equal parts concern and pity. “I know my last email must have been tough, which was why I wanted to give you space when you came back. But I really can’t keep rehashing this.”
“I’m sorry my dreams bother you so much,” she muttered.
“I’m trying to protect you from inevitable disappointment.” He folded his hands into a neat parcel at the edge of his desk. “You have your mother’s idealistic spirit, and we know from the past that just because you want something doesn’t mean it’s the right path for you. Look at what happened at the music conservatory.”
His comment stole the air from her lungs. She wanted to shout that she’d never even wanted to go there, that it was all her mother’s pushing and pushing. But in hindsight, he wouldn’t have known that, because she’d never protested too hard or too loud. She’d tried to convince her mother it wasn’t a good move, but as usual, Catriona had steamrolled her.
For all her father knew, she’d wanted that dream as much as writing a book. And she’d failed, cementing his belief that she lacked talent and the fortitude to pursue a career in the arts.
“That was years ago,” she said, keeping her voice steady.
“Not long enough that my wallet has forgotten being emptied for nothing.”
“Gaining experience isn’t worth anything to you?” she asked through gritted teeth.
“My dear, of course experience is worth something, and I want you to have a successful life.” He smoothed a hand over his perfectly styled hair, which she knew he did to hide a burgeoning bald patch. “I know your mother has been a terrible example, chasing one whim after another. Therefore, I see it as my duty to steer you back onto the right path without setting you up for failure. Part of that means helping you understand what your options are.”
“But you haven’t even given me a chance.”
“I know you’re not cut out for a career in the arts. You were miserable the entire time you were studying music, even though you wouldn’t admit it. But you’re my daughter, and I could see the pain you were in. I could see what it was doing to you.” He sighed. “I’m trying to stop you repeating that mistake and ending up in a worse position than last time.”
For a second, Cora saw her father’s expression soften and in it, the man she’d adored as a little girl. “I regret what I exposed you to when you were young—I stayed with your mother way too long and allowed you to be influenced by all her terrible behavior. It’s only natural that you’d pick up some of her traits. But if I can prevent you from turning out like her, then I’ll do it…even if it makes you hate me.”
“I don’t hate you,” she said with a heavy sigh. God, her whole life she’d loved him more than anything. And she’d craved that love in return. “But I’m not her.”
“But you could be. She wasn’t always so…”
“Narcissistic?”
“Difficult,” he supplied. “It came later, after we got married. I don’t want to see you going down the same path.”
“My wanting to write a book has nothing to do with me being like her.” She shook her head. Was he purposefully diverting the conversation? Or did he really think that she’d suffer one rejection and turn into an egomaniac?
If only he knew that she’d been suffering his rejection her entire life.
“Writing isn’t about being famous or rich or any of that. I think…I think my stories could really help people.”
“Why do you keep forcing me to be cruel, Cora?” He rubbed at his temples. “I can’t put my reputation on the line for a book simply because you wrote it. End of story. I don’t want to speak about this again.”
Time away from her family had made some of her rosy view diminish, the pink fading away to gray reality. She could open her laptop now and show him the letter from the editor in Sydney. She could show him proof that she had what it took to write a wonderful story