"Because it wasn't nonsense. The one time I needed something from you, you didn't come. You told me I was making too much of something. I tried to tell you, but you wouldn't listen. And then our lives were turned upside down. From that point forward I made it a point to never ask you for anything. I don't want anything you have to give me. I want none of it."

"Oh, and you'll have none of it. Your barge, your cars, how do you plan to pay for it? This lifestyle I've afforded you. The lifestyle your mother has."

"Oh, don't you start. You and I both know that she was richer than you when you married her. It's the illusion you let yourself believe, that somehow you made her and not the other way around. Oh sure, we all know you had some money. But Mum, she has the name, she has the title."

"You're just like her. She has a defunct title that doesn't matter."

"That may be true, but what do you have? Sure, your company's one of the best in the business. No one can begrudge you that. But what you don't have, is me. You certainly don't have Xander. But you haven't had him for years. He saw his way out a long time ago, and he took it. I wish I'd been that brave. Took me a while to get there, but here I am. I don't need you, and we all know Mum doesn't need you, so you're on your own. On your island with your piles of money. Enjoy."

He stepped into my space. I refused to back up. We stood nose to nose. And I could see the people outside the office curiously looking in on us. And they could hear every word. We weren't quiet. And I knew for a fact his office wasn't sound-proofed enough. He wanted to make a scene, so he'd make a scene.

"Are you throwing this away for a woman? How’s she going to feel about you when she knows you’re broke?”

I grinned at him then. "That's just the thing, Dad, I don't need your money. I have money of my own now."

He scowled at me. "What? You think your mother's going to furnish your lifestyle?"

"That's the best part. I don't need Mum's money either. I'm finally free of you. Absolutely free. And God it feels amazing. So, Dad, you can take your job and shove it. It's a real shame too, because it didn't have to be like this."

I turned away from him then and started to stalk out, but he grabbed my elbow. "If you have another source, what have you done for it?"

The deal was done. He couldn't stop it. But I also didn't have to offer him any details. "Well, I guess you'll find out someday, but you’re too late to stop it. It’s done. You and I, we’re done."