Chapter 6 - The Shadows Recede
As federal investigators escorted Pendelton from the building and my mother left the premises in bitter, silent defeat, a heavy silence fell over my executive suite.
The war for Vance Global was won, but as I sat at my massive desk looking over the quiet city, I felt no sense of victory. The throne was mine, but the kingdom felt empty.
My phone buzzed. It was a text from Maren: Is it over?
I picked up my coat and walked out, leaving my assistant to handle the media circus below.
When I arrived at the townhouse, Maren welcomed me inside. The atmosphere was calm, a stark contrast to the storm that had raged at my corporate headquarters hours earlier.
"She’s gone from the board," I said as we sat in her sunlit living room over warm cups of coffee. "Pendelton is facing indictment. My mother has been legally restricted from approaching you, Liam, or your family."
Maren stared into her cup, digesting the news. "It must have been hard... turning against your own mother."
"She chose power over blood a long time ago," I replied softly. "I just failed to see it until it almost destroyed the only thing that truly mattered."
I looked over at Liam, who was sleeping peacefully in his swing.
"Maren," I said, my voice thick with emotion. "I know I ruined our marriage. I prioritized work, money, and status over spending time with you. I let my mother’s subtle poison drift between us because I was too busy climbing the ladder. I don't expect you to take me back as your husband right now. But please... let me be a father to Liam. Let me earn my way back into your life, piece by piece."
May you like
Maren looked at me, her eyes soft, devoid of the anger that had guarded her for months.
"You already started earning it when you stood up to her for us," she said gently. "You don't have to stay in a hotel, Everett. The guest room upstairs is open."
