To see what you’d do. And, I’ve got to say, you exceeded my expectations. You were only a child but you invested it and then you didn’t let it rest. You kept going. You made your first million while you were still a teenager and that was just the beginning.”
Daniel felt a furrow form in his brow yet that was nothing compared to the crater he felt in the pit of his stomach.
“Are you saying you purposely gave the girls more than me just to see what I’d do?” he asked. “What on earth made you do that? I thought you gave me less because you loved me less. That was a rotten thing to do.”
“No, that’s what gave you the drive to succeed. Look at what you did with the money. Look at what you’ve made of yourself. That’s what made you a success.”
All these years, the one thing Daniel had ever wanted from his father was his approval. Recognition. A pat on the back. A few words of affection. It had never seemed like too much to ask.
And now he had it. His father was finally telling him in his own twisted way that he was a success.
But Daniel didn’t want it any more. Not this way.
For so long, he’d believed he was too much like his father. Ambitious. Driven. And he’d always believed that marriage wasn’t for the likes of them. It hadn’t worked for his father and it wouldn’t work for him.
All these years his father had been dragging him down to his own level, holding him back in life.
Daniel just hadn’t known it before.
“Dad, I want you to stop talking and hear me out for a change,” he said.
“What?”
“All I’ve ever wanted is some acknowledgement from you that in your eyes I’m a success. This is the first time you’ve given me an inkling that you think I’m a worthwhile person and that I’ve done well.”
“You’re being ridiculous.”
Daniel stood up, took a deep breath, felt his chest expand.
“You never listen to me,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what I do, how many deals I win or how much money I make, nothing I do is good enough for you. And it never will be.”
“What on earth makes you say that?”
“Because it’s true, damn it.”
“You’re my son. I don’t need to tell you I’m proud of you, but you don’t have my approval on this one. Not on this marriage business. You’re a success, boy. Don’t ruin it.”
“I haven’t been a boy for a long time,” Daniel said. “I’m a man.”
“You’re not listening to me.” His father sounded exasperated. Daniel knew the feeling.
Though there was no one else in the room with him, Daniel stabbed a finger in the air. “No, you’re not listening to me. I’m a man and I’m getting married. You can recognise that or not. I really don’t care any more.”
“If you go through with this ridiculous plan, I’ll have nothing more to do with you. I’ll wash my hands of you. This’ll be the worst deal you’ve ever made in your life.”
Across the telephone line, across the thousands of kilometres that stood between them, Daniel smelt his father’s desperation. He was doing it again. Withholding love and approval.
This time, Daniel didn’t care.
“You just don’t get it,” he said. “It’s not a ‘deal’. It’s my life. I’d hoped you’d be happy for me but since you’re not, it’s just your tough luck. It’s not going to change anything. This is the right thing for me.”
Daniel hung up the phone.
He’d wasted enough time already.
Chapter Thirteen
Kate pulled open the front door of her apartment. Her mouth fell open. “What do you want?”
The words slipped out before she had time to think but she didn’t know what she thought any more.
Or felt.
Or wanted.
Daniel shrugged. “You’d be surprised how many people have been greeting me that way lately.”
“What?”
“May I come in?” he asked.
If only it were as simple as letting him into the room. If only she could do that without letting it affect her.
Perhaps if she were a different person – more easy-going, better able to brush off her feelings – maybe then she could invite him in as she would any other friend.
Then, they’d never been just friends and that was the one thing they never could be.
There was nothing left of the relationship they’d once had.
“Daniel, it was only a few days ago I told you how I felt. I don’t want to see you again so soon. I’m just not ready.”
His lips