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“What do you mean?”
I sigh. “It’s a long story, but there’s a chance we might be in the news for it for a while. Not very long, scandals blow over. But the whole world knows what Dad did because of who I am.”
“You’re that much of a bigshot, huh?” Mom asks.
I nod. “Yeah, kind of.”
“It’s good they know,” Mom says.
I frown. “Why would it be good that they know?”
“The whole world knows what you’ve overcome, then. They know how hard you’ve fought.”
It takes a moment for her words to sink in.
“Everyone keeps telling me it’s a good thing,” I say. “But I’ve been trying to run from this my whole life.”
“Sweetheart, you don’t have to define yourself by what your father has done. You should define yourself by whatyou’vedone. I’m sure when people look at you, that’s what they see.”
A lump rises in my throat. All these years, I’ve been looking back at my past, seeing myself as a coward, someone who couldn’t stick it out, couldn’t save my mom, and wasn’t worthy of anything good because of it. I’m starting to see things in a different light.
Mom’s right. I survived Dad. And Emma’s right. Being so terrified of being like him means that I’m not like him at all.
I’ve been so stupid and so blind for so long.
“How long can you stay?” Mom asks, snapping me out of my thoughts. “Can I make us lunch?”
“I’ll stay until nightfall,” I say with a smile. “And next week, I’m sending a team to pack up your house and you’ll come to the city to live in a new place.”
“Next week? That’s so soon.”
“It’s long overdue, Mom,” I say.
Chapter 32
Rachel
My new offices aren’t perfect, but it’s a start. I didn’t think I would have the money so soon to be able to do this.
My offices consist of a waiting room, a fitting room, and a consultation room that doubles as my office. I have an extra room that’s being used as storage at the moment, but as soon as I expand enough to hire an employee, I’ll turn that into another office. This business can become really big if I try.
When I walk into my new offices, I run my hands along the furniture. It’s second-hand, but no one would know with the good condition it’s in.
The moment I turn on my laptop, an email drops into my inbox. It’s from a prospective new client—a family man. He wants a wardrobe change to include clothes for a family vacation, play clothes for when he spends time with his children, and something more casual to celebrate holidays in.
I reply to the email, confirming the consultation with possible free slots to see him.
He replies almost right away.
You don’t have anything sooner than the end of this week?
I tap my pen on the desk while I think before I reply.
I could fit you in later this afternoon but it doesn’t leave me a lot of time to brainstorm.
He replies again, almost immediately.
I’d prefer it that way. Time is of the essence. We could brainstorm together.
