Part 24:

The second batch was somehow raw in the middle. The third batch was actually edible. “Success,” Sophie announced, drowning her pancakes in syrup. “We’re basically professional chefs now.” “Let’s not get carried away,” Ethan said, but he was smiling. They spent the morning in Vivian’s apartment, Sophie teaching Vivien how to play a card game she’d invented that had rules that changed every 5 minutes.

Ethan watched them together, his daughter’s laughter mixing with Vivian’s, and felt something settle in his chest. This could work. This was working. Around noon, Vivian’s phone started buzzing with work calls. She ignored the first three, then sighed and checked the fourth. I’m sorry, it’s the board chair. I have to take this.

She disappeared into her home office and Ethan could hear her voice shift into CEO mode. Crisp, professional, all business. Sophie looked up from her cards. Is she okay? Yeah, kiddo. Just work stuff. She works a lot. She does. Do you think that makes her happy? Ethan considered the question. I think she’s figuring out what makes her happy.

Sometimes that takes time. You should help her figure it out. You’re good at fixing things. People aren’t cars, Sofh. You can’t just replace a part and make them work better. But you can help them find what’s broken and then they can fix it themselves. She played a card. That’s what you did for me after mom left.

You helped me find what was broken and then you helped me fix it. Ethan’s throat tightened. When did you get so smart? I’ve always been smart. You just never listen. Viven emerged from her office 20 minutes later looking tired. I’m sorry. Board drama. Apparently, there’s a faction trying to delay the expansion vote.

Can they do that? If they have enough support, yeah, she sank onto the couch. I might need to do damage control this weekend. Make some calls. Smooth some feathers. Or, Ethan said carefully, you could let them delay the vote and use the time to figure out what you actually want. I want the expansion to go through.

Do you? Or is that just what you think you’re supposed to want? Vivian stared at him. That’s not fair, isn’t it? You just told me last night you don’t know why you’re doing this anymore. Maybe the delay is a chance to figure that out. I can’t just stop working because I’m having an existential crisis. I’m not saying stop working. I’m saying maybe take a breath.

Maybe remember that you’re allowed to want things that aren’t about quarterly earnings. Sophie, who’d been pretending not to listen, looked up. Like pancakes and card games and people who make you smile. Viven laughed, but it sounded watery. You two are ganging up on me. We’re helping, Sophie corrected.

There’s a difference. The weekend passed in a strange limbo. Viven made her calls, did her damage control prepared for the board meeting. But she also made time for dinners with Ethan and Sophie, for walks around the neighborhood, for movie nights where they argued about whether penguins or dolphins were superior animals. Monday arrived too fast.

Ethan dropped Sophie at school and headed to the shop, where Marcus was already working on the morning’s scheduled vehicles. The day passed in the familiar rhythm of diagnostics and repairs, but Ethan found himself checking his phone more than usual. Vivien’s board meeting was at 2. She texted that morning. Wish me luck or don’t.

I’m not sure which I want. He’d sent back. You don’t need luck. You’re Vivian heart. You’ve got this. At 3:30, his phone rang. How’d it go? He answered. Viven’s laugh was slightly hysterical. I quit. You what? I told the board I’m stepping down as CEO effective in 6 months once we find a replacement. Ethan’s brain stuttered.

“You Wait, what? I quit?” “Well, I’m quitting in six months after we complete the transition.” She sounded breathless, like she’d just run a marathon. “I can’t keep doing this, Ethan. I can’t spend my entire life in meetings about things I don’t care about anymore. I’m 30 years old and I’ve never done anything just because I wanted to.

It’s always been about the company, about my father’s legacy, about proving I belong. And I’m done.” Vivien, I know it’s crazy. I know everyone’s going to think I’ve lost my mind, but sitting in that boardroom listening to them argue about market projections, all I could think about was Saturday morning, making pancakes with Sophie, playing that ridiculous card game, being with you.

Her voice cracked slightly. That’s what I want, not this. Ethan looked around the shop at Marcus working under a hard industries van, at the schedule board filled with appointments, at the business he’d nearly lost and was now building back piece by piece. “What are you going to do?” he asked. “I have no idea. Isn’t that terrifying and amazing at the same time?” “It’s definitely something.

” “Are you mad?” “Why would I be mad?” “Because I’m potentially throwing away everything my father built. because I’m making a crazy decision without thinking it through because I’m probably going to regret this tomorrow. Are you going to regret it tomorrow? She was quiet for a moment. No, I don’t think so.

Then I’m not mad. I’m proud of you. Really? Really? It takes guts to walk away from something that’s not working, even when everyone expects you to stay. I learned that from you. I never quit anything. No, but you keep fighting for what matters. The shop, Sophie, us. You don’t waste time on things that don’t bring value. I want to do that.

I want to figure out what actually matters and invest in that. Ethan smiled, feeling something warm spread through his chest. So, what happens now? Now I have 6 months to find my replacement and figure out what comes next. The board wasn’t thrilled, but they accepted it. and Ethan. Yeah. Okay. Can I come see you? I need to be around someone who won’t tell me I’m making a mistake. Shop’s open until 6:00.

Come by whenever. She showed up 45 minutes later, still in her business suit, looking simultaneously terrified and liberated. Marcus took one look at her expression and excused himself to grab coffee, leaving them alone in the office. I really did it, Vivien said, sinking into the desk chair. I quit being CEO of a multi-billion dollar company.

You’re transitioning out responsibly over 6 months. That’s different than quitting. Semantics. She spun the chair slightly. My mother is going to kill me. Your mother lives in France and hasn’t called you in 3 months. She’s going to call now. Trust me. Ethan leaned against the desk. Do you regret it? No. Maybe. I don’t know. Ask me in 6 months.

She looked up at him. Is it crazy that I’m more excited than scared? No, I think that means you made the right decision. What if I can’t find a replacement? What if the company falls apart? Then it falls apart. But that’s not your responsibility anymore. You’re allowed to let go. She stood and wrapped her arms around him, burying her face against his chest.

How are you so calm about this? Because I’ve had practice failing. You’re just getting started. She laughed into his shirt. That’s not comforting. It’s honest. They stood like that for a while, the sounds of the shop filtering through the office door. Marcus returned with coffee and tactfully disappeared again.

Eventually, Vivien pulled back, wiping at her eyes. I should let you work. I just needed to see you. You can stay. Marcus can handle the afternoon schedule. Really? Really? Come on. He took her hand and led her to the small break room behind the office, a cramped space with a microwave, a mini fridge, and a table that had seen better decades.

They sat across from each other, drinking terrible coffee from styrofoam cups, and talked about everything and nothing. Viven told him about the board members reactions, the mix of shock and disappointment and grudging respect. told him about the moment she’d announced her decision and felt something break free in her chest, like she’d been holding her breath for 10 years and could finally exhale.

Ethan told her about the shop’s growing success, about Marcus’ terrible jokes, and the customer who’d sent a thank you card for honest service. Told her about Sophie’s latest penguin obsession and Sarah’s insistence that they have a proper family dinner soon. I’d like that, Vivian said. meeting your family properly.

Not just Sarah stopping by to drop off Sophie. Fair warning, Sarah will interrogate you. She’s protective. I can handle protective sisters. I can’t handle board meetings anymore, apparently. But sisters, I can do. They talked until the shop closed until Marcus stuck his head in to say good night, and Ethan realized it was past 6. They locked up together, Vivien watching as he went through the familiar routine of checking locks and setting alarms.

👉 [Tap here for Next Part] 👈