Page 75 of Unlocking my Boss's Heart

“Our marriage?” my father echoed.

“Yes.” I took a deep breath, my heart pounding. “I’ve never had the courage to talk to you about this, but the reason I’ve had trouble committing to a relationship is because of what I saw growing up. I was terrified by your arguments, and later the fear of you separating added on. I never wanted to end up in a marriage like that.”

They both remained silent, clearly not expecting that. My mother’s face softened, her expression shifting from surprised to sorrow. She reached for my father’s hand, her fingers trembling slightly as they intertwined with his.

“Darling, that was a long time ago,” she said, regret sounding in her voice. “I didn’t think you remembered any of that.”

“I do.” I replied, voice thick with emotions. “I remember it all the way back when I was eight or nine, hearing you guys argue late at night.” The memories flooding back, raw and vivid.

“We never meant for you to hear any of that—” my father started.

“But I did,” the words came out harsher than I intended. “I’ve held back for decades, but this time, I have to get this offmy chest. I grew up terrified that I would end up in the same loveless, miserable marriage. And I knew I just couldn’t do it. Being alone is preferable to living with a woman I hated.”

Tears welled in my mother’s eyes, she squeezed my father’s hand.

“Son,” my father began softly, “our marriage might have started off that way, but that’s not the end of the story. We both had a part to play. I ignored your mother for the first ten years, really. I was so busy trying to build my company. But I realized that she was the most important thing in my life. And my boys. If I gained the whole world and lost my family, what was it worth? Nothing.”

My mother nodded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “We were practically children when we got married, Anton. You have to understand that. We had no idea how to fight in a healthy way. And I’m so sorry that left such a bad impression on you. Can you ever forgive us?” Her voice cracked.

I hadn’t been expecting that. I'd just yelled at them and basically told them what a rotten example they had been. I swallowed hard, my throat tightening with emotion.

“I—” I started, but the words caught in my throat. Something broke inside me after years of resentment and fear that I would end up the same way. My shoulders slumped, the weight of my long-held fears finally beginning to lift.

“Marriage is hard, Anton. I won’t lie to you,” my mother continued, her voice filled with years of wisdom. “But you have to choose every day to get up and love the person you’re with. Your father and I didn't divorce because we started to appreciate each other. And that appreciation slowly turned to love.” She reached over and patted my hand. “I think you and Celia have a chance to build something beautiful. But you’ve got to let go of the past and take a risk. Love is a risk, but it’s the best decision you’ll ever make.”

I squeezed her hand in return. For the first time in years, I felt a sense of clarity. “I wish I’d had this conversation with you sooner. I never knew how to broach the subject.”

My father nodded, his gaze serious. “Now, the question is: Will you finally commit to someone, or are you going to keep going the way you have been the last few years?”

The truth was, I’d been hiding behind my fears for so long, that now faced with the possibility of something real with Celia, I was unprepared. But her words echoed in my mind:We'll figure it out together.

On Celia’s first day back at work after her hospitalization, she came into my office.

I glanced up from my computer screen, my grin instantaneous. “Hey, you. How are you feeling?” I got up and went to meet her midway to my desk and gave her a peck on her mouth.

“Never been better. That EpiPen did the trick,” she made light of the situation, smiling. “And how are you?”

“Wonderful, now that you’re here.”

She held the foil-wrapped bundle in her hands up for me to see. “Maddison baked chocolate chip cookies last night for my first day back to work. I must warn you, just one bite will make you fall in love.”

My eyebrow shot up at that. “With her, or you?”

“Hopefully, me. I bribed her into giving me the recipe.”

She walked past me and set it on my desk. Then, she leaned her backside against the desk. I had to force myself to focus onher rather than the many sensuous activities we could engage in on the desk.

She had a serious look on. “The cookies aren’t the only reason I came to see you.” I stilled. “Mei Shau and her lawyer have agreed to a meeting to talk about her case.”

I sat back in my chair. “You’re not serious!”

“I am. I was able to reach her lawyer, we had a lengthy discussion over the phone.”

“When is the meeting?”

“It’ll be over video. A little unusual to discuss a case over video, but it’s possible. I’ll record it.”

My head was reeling. This would be the first meeting between the plaintiff, Mei Shau, and the defendant, Julius and Faber Publishing House, which we were representing.

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