Not for me and not for Rhea. She almost lost her marriage because of that stupid company.”
“It wouldn’t have been a great loss. Samuel brought nothing to their union.”
“He brought himself and that’s all that Rhea needed, but you couldn’t let them be happy.”
“Their marital problems are not my fault.”
“Aren’t they? You’re the one that insisted Rhea had to take over Dioletis Industries, even though you knew she and Samuel had agreed to have children.”
“Now you’re blaming me for her miscarriages?”
“The doctor said her job was too high-stress.”
“She’s the CEO of a major concern—of course the job is high-stress.”
“You stepped down for your health, but expected her to compromise hers and that of her unborn children for the good of the company.”
“Rhea is only twenty-nine. She has plenty of time for motherhood if indeed she really wants it.”
“Oh, she does. And she’ll have it, along with a strong marriage, if I have anything to say about it.”
“She understands her duty.”
“Like you understood yours?”
“Yes.”
“You were clueless about your duty to our family, but Rhea is not going to be like that.”
“She told me about the marriage counseling.” The derision Chloe expected was missing from her father’s tone. “Perhaps your mother and I would have been happier if we had done something like that.”
Chloe didn’t know what to say. “That was unexpected.”
“I loved your mother, Chloe. I love my daughters.”
“You’ve got a lousy way of showing it.”
“I’m learning that.”
Wow. This was so not like the father she remembered. “Who’s been talking to you?” she wondered.
“Believe it or not, Samuel.”
“Seriously?”
“He is a social worker. It’s his job to have insights like that.”
“He’s very good at his job.”
“I’m sure you’re right.”
“I’m glad to hear you say that.”
“I’m sorry about Rhea’s miscarriages,” her father said in a tone that cracked with emotion.
“You said—”
“I know. Admitting when I am wrong is not my strong suit.”
“No.”
“I may have been wrong five years ago, but please believe I had your future in mind as much as the company’s.”
“I’m not sure I can.”
He sighed. “I want you to be happy, Chloe. I want that for Rhea as well. This deal with Ariston, I think it will make that possible, but I don’t want to see you hurt again.”
“Perhaps you should have thought of that before planning yet another business marriage before my first one was over.”
“Yes, I should have.”
“You mean that?” she asked with more hope than she’d thought she had left where her remaining parent was concerned.
“I do and I’m sorry.”
She’d never heard her father apologize. Not once. Not ever. She took a deep breath, feeling the sting of tears in the back of her eyes. “I forgive you.”
“Thank you. That means more than I can say.”
“How’s your blood pressure?” she asked without planning to.
“Much better. I’m exercising, eating right … but I miss my old life.”
“As chairman of Dioletis Industries.”
“As father to my children.”
“Rhea still sees you.”
“A lot less frequently than you might imagine. She never forgave me for how hurt you were by your marriage to Ariston.”
Chloe hadn’t known that. “She never said anything to me.”
“She said plenty to me,” her father said ruefully.
“The company will retain its name, but it’s going to be absorbed by SSE,” Chloe felt the need to say.
“I know and in a way, I’m very relieved. It cost me my wife, it cost me my daughters and eventually it cost my health.”
“But you still love it.”
“Yes.”
Finally there was something she and her father had in common. Loving unwisely. “It will be okay. Maybe grandchildren will make up for retirement.”
“I’m hoping you and Rhea will allow me the privilege of that role, though I’m fully aware I don’t deserve it.”
Wow. This humble side to her father was not something she was used to dealing with. “Just don’t try to turn them into little CEOs.”
“I’ll leave that to Ariston.”
“He’ll have to deal with me.”
“A formidable concept, I am sure.”
Chloe found herself laughing with her father for the first time in years. “Yes, it is.”
“Thank you, Chloe.”
“You’re welcome.”
“I love you.” It was the first time he’d said it since she was eleven years old.
The tears threatening finally spilled and Chloe didn’t try to hide them from her voice when she said, “I love you too.”
“Please don’t cut me out of your life again.”
“Don’t be an arrogant, cold manipulator, and I won’t.” He laughed alone this time, but she was smiling. “I won’t,” he promised.
And she thought maybe this time, it was a promise her father intended to keep.
CHAPTER EIGHT
IT took Chloe closer to three