I'd barely reached the hallway when my father came after me.
"Grace."
He grabbed my arm, frowning. "Can't you act like an adult for once? Talking back to me in front of all those people—you made us both look like fools."
"Wilfred lost his parents young. We need to look out for him."
"Besides, I have to avoid any appearance of favoritism right now. Once I secure the Entrepreneur of the Year award, I'll find a way to make you CEO."
"Now come back inside, apologize to everyone, and tell them you're willing to serve as Wilfred's deputy."
I'd thought he was coming to make things right. I was naive. Instead, I got another blow to the head.
"Back then, I earned that study abroad spot through my own hard work. You gave it to Wilfred instead—the guy who spent all day sleeping in his dorm."
"You said it was to avoid favoritism."
"You said he had no one else, that I should let him have it."
"You said you'd send me abroad later."
"So what happened?"
I looked up at my father.
This kind of thing had been happening my whole life.
I remember scoring at the top of my class for both middle school and high school entrance exams, yet I never got into the best schools.
My father said it was to avoid favoritism.
But then he pulled strings to get Wilfred—who hadn't even qualified—into those very schools.
For years, I wondered if I just wasn't good enough. If that was why I never got any recognition.
So I worked even harder.
Now I finally understood. No matter how well I did, in my father's eyes, I would never measure up to Wilfred.
And I'd never beat out "avoiding favoritism."
I must have struck a nerve, because he lost his temper completely. "Grace, if you keep this up, don't ever think about coming back to the company!"
His cold stare was pure threat.
"Fine."
This time, I didn't back down. I turned and walked away.
He stood there, stunned.
His mouth opened like he wanted to say something, but in the end, he said nothing.
Outside the hotel, the bitter wind cut through me like his words had—sharp and cold, straight to the bone.
Dad.
I don't need you anymore. I can stand on my own.
I took a deep breath and sent a message to Paul Farley, a junior from the Capital Circle: Heard you've got more money than you know what to do with. Interested in investing in me?
Absolutely!
Paul replied almost instantly: Meet me at the usual spot tonight. Let's talk.
I'll even show you the eight-pack I've been working on!
I couldn't help but smile.
Ever since he found out I was single again, he'd made a hobby out of flirting with me.
I headed home to pack. The moment I walked through the door, I saw my mother sitting on the couch.
"Mom, I—"
Before I could finish, she grabbed a throw pillow and hurled it at my face.
"Why did you humiliate your father in public? Why do you always have to go after Wilfred?"
"It's just a CEO position. You're both Galloways—what does it matter who sits in that chair?"
So she'd already heard.
Just as I expected.
No warmth. No comfort.
Only blame.
I took a deep breath. "We're both Galloways. So why not let Wilfred call you Mom and Dad instead?"
"You two can be his parents from now on."
I didn't have the energy to fight.
I just said it, flat and quiet.
"You—"
She stormed over and slapped me hard across the face. "This is exactly why you'll never be CEO. You're selfish. Disrespectful. You don't know your place."
I swallowed the blood pooling in my throat. And then, suddenly, I laughed.
"Mom."
"You're calling me selfish? Saying I disrespect you?"
"Then tell me—ever since you brought Wilfred into this house, every good thing that came along—the best food, the best clothes, every fun opportunity—didn't I give it all up for him?"
