She recoiled; a stab of agony surged right through her, worse than any heartache Sophie had ever known. The dizziness returned, and she swayed on the chair.

Tom noticed; he was concerned and came over to her.

“Maman,” he said, urgently. “We can put this behind us. Just leave the company alone. Leave it today. Sign over the stock you vote to me, now. You know it’s all coming to me anyway. Just go back to the château, and I’ll come back and be with you. I can introduce my girlfriend—”

“You have a girlfriend?”

He hesitated.

“You won’t like her at first,” Tom admitted. “But once we’ve explained everything, I know you’ll come around. You want us to be a family again, and so do I. You just need to stop standing in the way of what Papa wanted.”

He pressed her hand and stood up.

“House Massot was my father’s. And now it’s mine. As soon as you see that, this can all be over.”

Sophie looked at her tall, strong son; almost twenty, so like his father, his shoulders square against the blazing sunlight streaming into the room; stubborn and proud, half man, half boy. She was sure he believed he was ready, but she knew otherwise.

It was the worst thing about being a parent. Having to deny and refuse somebody you loved so much more than yourself.

She would die for Tom without a second thought. But love for him meant not letting him destroy everything he had in the world.

“I can’t do that, Tom.”

“You mean you won’t.”

“I can’t—I won’t—you’re not ready.”

“We’ll see about that,” Tom said. “I’m sorry it has to be this way, Mother.”

Sophie stood up. “So you won’t come home?”

“Later,” he said. “I told you, I intend to assert my rights to the company.”

She knew Tom couldn’t do anything; he didn’t have enough stock. But perhaps this wasn’t the moment to point that out. Sophie went over, kissed him on the cheek; Tom awkwardly patted her on the back.

“Then I’ll see you soon. After the stockholders’ meeting,” she said bravely.

Tom walked to the door and opened it. “Can you see yourself out, or should I come with you to get a taxi?”

“I’m fine. I’ll walk.” Sophie set her lips tight. She didn’t want to say too much, didn’t want to start crying again.

“Goodbye, Maman,” Tom said. And as she walked over to the lift, he shut the door firmly behind her.

Chapter 34

Chapter 34