Kamila clasped her hands together, frustrated. “It’s a little bit true, though, isn’t it? I’m not an idiot, Rohan. I know it’s what everyone thinks of me.”

He said nothing.

“Loving fashion, or my hair, or dressing up my dog doesn’t mean I’m shallow. It doesn’t mean I’m not entitled to have a say in decisions that affect my life. I’m not surprised Dad thought this way. Disappointed, but not surprised. He sees what he wants to see in his daughters. But you…you doing this is what kills me. Everyone else said you were uptight and shrewd, but I saw…” Her voice cracked. She closed her eyes a moment, then looked into Rohan’s. “I saw the Rohan no one else saw. The warm, generous, alive man who would ride the same roller coaster six times in a day and hide his tears during the sad parts of Bollywood movies. The man who wouldn’t think twice about rolling up his sleeves to make momos in a polka-dot apron. I saw you, but you didn’t see me.”

She was crying, and she hated that. She hated all of this. She picked up her bag. “Your ten minutes are up. I—”

“Wait, Kam.” He held her arm so she wouldn’t leave. “I didn’t get to tell you my idea.” He sighed, opening the folder. “I’m sorry. I…want to fix this. I don’t know what you want, but we have options. I think…Maybe…” He rubbed his hands on his legs. She’d honestly never seen Rohan so unsure. “My first idea is you can start your own accounting firm that’s all yours. I can help. I’m sure many of your Emerald clients would come with you. I can assist with the start-up capital if you need it or help with the process. Anything you need, I commit to. You can recreate your own Emerald. Even call it what you want.”

She had considered this, the option of starting her own practice. She had a feeling Rohan was right—she could probably take most of her clients with her. Definitely the ones worth keeping. It was scary, but it could be great. She was always helping others start their own businesses. She could do it for herself.

“Before you say anything, there is another option I’d like you to consider.” He took a breath. “I know you don’t want to come to HNS as a CPA…and you said you didn’t get any respect when you worked there before, but I think you would get respect if you were an owner.”

Kamila froze. “What?”

“Your father’s shares in HNS…you could buy them instead of Zayan and me. Then you could come and work at HNS as a partner.”

Chapter 25

Chapter 25