“The signing went well, Valle Mar was happy to hear about the show, and it definitely went a long way toward reassuring them that working with us will bring them a new kind of visibility.” I winced, thinking about the shit show from yesterday and wondering if this show was even salvageable with Chase in charge. I was starting to think that Alba had been right to fear that this whole thing would end up in disaster. “How is she?” Cecilia asked. I let out a shaky exhale, still feeling the remnants of rage and fear from the day before. “She’s better, but she needs more rest. I’m taking her away for a couple of days.”

A grunt of approval rumbled in my ear. “Good.” A taut silence hung between us for a moment. “Did you mean what you told Achilles about not wanting to run Ganas anymore?” I knew she would ask. Cecilia loved me, I had no doubt of that, but she was also a shrewd businesswoman. She would want to know where things stood for her. And even two days ago, that question would’ve been harder for me to answer, but now, I was almost certain I wanted out.

“I’m not sure what it’ll look like yet, but I know I want to start something that’s mine. This veteran housing venture will be the first step. I want to try something new.” I knew my father wouldn’t give up so easily, that he was biding his time before he came at me again. But it would be harder for him to get his way with Cecilia backing me up.

“Achilles will adapt,” she told me with the certainty of a woman who had fought for everything she had and had come out on top. “He knows that he can’t force you to run things and that he can only hold me off for so long before I give him an ultimatum.” I had no doubt Cecilia would use all the leverage she had to convince my father.

“You shouldn’t have to do that. You’ve earned the right to run this company.”

My stepmother scoffed. “As if fairness has anything to do with this? You father loves me and his pride is fragile. I will navigate those waters and get what I want. Speaking of, I’m going to start my attack now and catch him while he’s still waking up.”

“I don’t even want to know what that means,” I groaned and ended the call with my stepmother’s laughter in my ears.

I’d barely gotten started on coffee when my phone buzzed again in my pocket. When I scooped it out, I saw Tina’s number flashing on the screen. She’d called to ask about Alba last night, so I figured she wanted to hear how she’d made it through the night.