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He’d stepped up, after his father’s guilt initiative had sucked him in, and ended up spending nearly three years in Bogotá cleaning up the mess the Colombian manufacturing operation had become, and as a result, he’d also lost Olivia. The most painful loss of all. And a loss he still had not recovered from.
Sergio was done. He was no longer willing to put his personal and professional life on the back burner to carry out his father’s bidding. Enough was enough.
“It’s been Antonella and me who have propelled the company forward despite your incessant meddling. Dealing with you is a fucking nightmare, and I’m finished.”
Antonella gasped, probably understanding Sergio’s time at Martinez Designs was over. He hated leaving her and his younger sister Valeria behind, but Sergio needed to move on. It was past time.
“Still upset about that…girl? You’re pathetic,” his father snarled.
Rage burned in his gut. “Her name is Olivia, you know that. You sound like you’re jealous of her. But this isn’t about her, since you know she hasn’t spoken to me in years because of you. This is about you. You and your brothers are tailors, I’m the one with an MBA from Wharton.”
His father waved a dismissive hand, as if Sergio’s Ivy League education and years of sacrifice for the family business meant nothing. Fuck that and Carlos Martinez.
“If you leave today, don’t bother coming back.”
Sergio scoffed. “Don’t worry, I won’t. I gave you more than you deserved for far too long. I’m finished.”
Sergio left his father, hearing Antonella’s raised voice as he made quick work of getting to his office down the hall. He couldn’t wait to get the hell out of the building and never return. He was moments away from his freedom.
He took a speedy glance around his office and felt nothing but despair and regret. It had become his prison cell. Years ago, his desk held framed pictures of him and Olivia. Now, there was nothing personal anywhere. Sergio grabbed his briefcase and took one last look around before leaving, finally taking his life back at forty-two. What he’d do with it, he wasn’t sure, but at least it was now up to him to decide. Not his tyrant of a father.
About thirty minutes later, Sergio found himself pacing his Uncle Brooks’s office at the Grand Walhstrom. His wife, Sergio’s Aunt Margot was wiping her tears with a tissue, leaning against a bookcase.
“Carlos hasn’t been the same since Silvia and Justine passed,” she said weakly, as if it was an acceptable excuse for his father.
Brooks nodded.
Sergio was having none of it. “He’s always been difficult. He’s gotten worse since they passed away. I should have left the company years ago.” What a fool he’d been, staying as long as he had.
Brooks sighed, conceding with Sergio’s assessment. “You’ve always been welcome at Walhstrom’s. Just say the word, we’d love to have you join us. I know Mom and Dad would be over the moon to have you and your sisters here.”
Sergio jiggled the car keys in his pants pocket while he paced. The Walhstrom side of the family had spent years trying to convince him to come work for them. His father’s guilt trips had kept him at Martinez Designs. Now that he was free to do as he saw fit, he wasn’t sure joining the Walhstrom family business was the best course of action.
“I don’t know, but thank you again for the offer. Can I think about it?” Sergio loved the Walhstrom side of his family dearly and didn’t want to hurt their feelings. He just needed a moment to get his head on straight before deciding his next move.
His Aunt Margot wrapped her comforting arms around him, and Sergio held her tight. His eyes stung as he was emotionally drained.
“Have you spoken with Olivia about any of this,” Margot asked after ending their hug.
He grunted, shaking his head. “Five years ago was the last time I reached out to her and was ignored. I haven’t tried again since. I’m afraid our time together is truly over.” Again, because of his asshole of a father.
“That’s a shame. We all adored her and had high hopes for both of you,” Brooks said and got up from behind his mahogany executive desk to join Sergio and Margot.
“Why not join us for lunch downstairs at Walhstrom Italiano? We can help you strategize and calmly talk through your options. They have gnocchi in vodka sauce with Italian sausage crumbles on the menu today.” Margot knew that was one of Sergio’s favorites. It was a tempting and delicious offer.
When the three of them entered the restaurant a few minutes later, he noticed Henry Delair sitting alone in a large corner booth. He had two empty cocktail glasses in front of him, but no food. Where was Vera?
Sergio gestured to his aunt and uncle, and they nodded. Without asking they joined Henry in his booth. Henry glanced at them in surprise and what appeared to be relief. Something was definitely wrong.
A server appeared within moments. “Let’s all have lunch and talk,” Sergio said to Henry.
Henry’s eyes teared up and he nodded. “Sure, thanks.”
Three hours later with full stomachs, and Vera now with them, they all sat in silence, Sergio stunned and contemplating their hours’ long conversation. Sergio glanced at his aunt and uncle, unsure of what to say. They offered reassuring smiles.
“Vera, are you absolutely certain you want to go through with this?” Sergio was still reeling from the news Henry had shared before Vera had joined them for lunch. She had an inoperable brain tumor with possibly only a few months left to live. Devastating news.
“Yes. It seems we’re both at a crossroads, dear. Maybe it’s fate’s timing. All I know is I want to spend my remaining days with sand between my toes, ocean sunsets, and the sound of waves, not beeping medical machines,” Vera admitted softly.
