Zach was right. I should have listened to his warning.
Suddenly my intention to sneakingly confess my love to Eva, then ask her to pretend it didn’t happen appears utterly insane. And impractical. How could I even imagine that I’d be able to stand not seeing her for even a week when my ribcage feels like I’ve just dropped from a climb and missed the crush pad because she isn’t with me right now?
So the only question that remains…
No, there is no question, really.
Eva is my love. She is my real passion. I can’t and won’t negate what I feel for her just to become CEO. It’s not worth it.
The realization that I’m using my step-father’s words to describe my own feelings is both startling and amazingly to the point at the same time. A small smile forces its way to my lips as I think how proud Malcom will feel once he learns how much he is an example to be followed for me now instead of one to grumble at.
“Nathan?” Murphy narrows his eyes. “What are you so coy about?”
This is the moment. I straighten my back and stick my chin forward. If I’m to admit my failure—which for some weird reason feels better than any previous victory I’ve ever claimed—I’ll do it with a proper stance. “I’m not coy. I’m just happy because I finally figured out how to answer Mother’s question.”
“Really?” Mother’s eyes glisten expectantly. She plays with her wedding ring, pulling and pushing it up and down, as if she needs a distraction while she waits for my reply.
Murphy, too, seems rather anxious. His legs wiggle slightly as if he’s making imperceptible bounces on his heels.
“Really. And I have to admit that I lied to you.”
“Lied to us?” Mother’s squeak sounds ecstatic instead of indignant. She slaps her hands, then pokes Murphy on his shoulder. “Did you hear it?”
Murphy doesn’t flinch at her touch, but keeps staring at me. Even when he answers Mother, his eyes are still fixated on me as if he needs all his attention to read me correctly. “I did. But let him elaborate, Mother, please.”
“Ah, yes, sure, sure. Nathan dear, please continue.” Her request is saturated with a joyful undertone, and her entire face is bright and glowing.
What is going on? Why is Mother so excited that I’ve lied? But I don’t have time to elaborate on this enigma. The sooner I get out my truth, the sooner I can rush back to Eva, close her in my arms, and whisper in her ear that she is the most important thing for me in this world.
I clear my throat. “As I said, I lied. I thought I wanted my promotion enough to put on a charade, but it turns out that I don’t. Not anymore. Mother, Murphy, I’ve failed the second condition of the bet. I can’t be elected as CEO. I’ve fallen in love with Eva, and I’m not ready to give her up, even if it means that I have to renounce my ambition to lead our company.”
“Ah, thank you, Lord,” Mother’s yell reaches my ears at almost the same time as her hugging arms land on my shoulders. She presses her cheek to my chest and whispers. “I couldn’t be prouder of you, my son.”
Murphy too moves over and pats me on my shoulder. “Nate brother, that’s the news we’ve been waiting for.”
I stand frozen, like I’ve been struck by lightning, while they continue to elaborate on how happy they are about my choice. Mother doesn’t sound like her joy has anything to do with the fact that they preferred Larry to me. No, she keeps insisting that she has never felt more pleased about me than now because I chose to follow my heart.
Murphy must realize how dumbfounded I am, because he pulls Mother back from me and says to her in a conspiratorial whisper. “I think he didn’t realize the real stakes yet. We should tell him.”
Mother nods, and her previous thrilled grimace moves into a somber frown. “Nathan, I did you much wrong when you were younger. I know that. The blame is on me that you didn’t see your father for the cold-hearted grinch he was. I couldn’t bear to tell you the truth, because you were so much in adoration of him even when he never behaved as a good father should. All he cared about was the company and this obsession, while setting our family’s wealth also destroyed him. Later, when I was ready to reveal it all to you because I had Malcom’s love supporting me, you didn’t care for my explanations.”
This self-accusing confession isn’t something I haven’t heard from her before. But, as she just said, I never truly listened to it. I shut Mother out because I thought she pushed me away. Thanks to this bet, I learned enough about myself to know I was the one who did most of the pushing, actually. I give a smile to Mother. “It’s all in the past, Mother. But not like before. I’ve realized many things about myself and our family, and I want you to know I don’t blame you or Malcom anymore for anything.”
“Holy Moly,” Murphy whistles. “This is the most spectacular transformation I’ve ever had the privilege to trigger.”
I turn to him, my brows jumping almost to my hairline. “What is that supposed to mean?”
It’s Mother who answers. “It means, my son, that I couldn’t stand to see you become like your father. You’re too special to have nothing in your life besides work. So I asked Murphy’s help.”
“It’s all true, brother,” Murphy chimes in. “Mother and I have been worried about you for so long that we decided it was time to act. Your obsession with work, with your schedule,
