Page 77 of Cowboy's Healing Heart

I pause, caught off guard by the question. "Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"

He leans forward, his eyes boring into mine. "Because ever since you've returned, you've seemed... distracted. This isn't just about the contract. It's about the future of our family legacy."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I open my mouth to respond, but Noah jumps in.

"Dad, Shane's doing a great job," he says, his voice calm but firm. "The team's never been more focused."

Our father waves him off. "This isn't about the team, Noah. It's about leadership. About commitment."

I feel my temper rising, but I force it down. "I'm here, aren't I? I'm doing the work."

"Are you?" My father's voice is cold. "Because it seems to me like your mind is elsewhere. With that... woman and her child."

The room goes silent. I can feel everyone's eyes on me, waiting for my reaction. My hands clench into fists under the table.

"Krystal and Ashanti," I say, my voice low and dangerous, "are my family now. And they have nothing to do with my work here."

My father scoffs. "Family? Please, Shane. This is just a phase. A distraction from your real responsibilities."

I stand up abruptly, my chair scraping against the floor. "This meeting is over."

"Shane—" Noah starts, but I cut him off with a look.

"We'll reconvene tomorrow," I say, my voice leaving no room for argument. "I need some air."

I storm out of the room, ignoring the whispers that follow me. My feet carry me to my office, where I slam the door behind me.

For a moment, I just stand there, breathing heavily. Then, almost without thinking, I pull out my phone and dial Krystal's number.

It rings once, twice, three times before going to voicemail. Even recorded, the sound of her voice sends a pang through my chest.

"Hey, it's me," I say after the beep. "I... I miss you. Both of you. I know things have been tense lately, but I want you to know that you're what matters to me. I'll be home early tonight. Love you both."

I hang up, feeling both lighter and heavier at the same time. As I turn back to my desk, my eyes fall on a framed photo of Krystal and Ashanti. It was taken at the ranch, and both of them are laughing as they sit atop a horse.

Then, a thought crosses my mind.Hum…

I pull up my browser and start searching for ranches. The idea of building away from all this corporate bullshit fills me with a sense of peace I haven't felt in weeks.

A knock at the door interrupts my search. "Come in," I call out, quickly minimizing the browser window.

Noah enters his expression a mix of concern and frustration. "Shane, what the hell was that?"

I lean back in my chair, suddenly feeling exhausted. "That was me reaching my breaking point."

Noah sighs, taking a seat across from me. "Look, I get it. Father's being an ass. But we can't afford to lose focus right now. This contract?—"

"I know, I know," I interrupt. "The contract is important. But Noah, have you ever stopped to think that maybe there's more to life than Innoventis?"

He looks at me like I've grown a second head. "What are you talking about?"

I hesitate, then decide to lay it all out. "I'm talking about happiness, Noah. Real, genuine happiness. The kind I feel when I'm with Krystal and Ashanti."

Noah's expression softens. "Shane, I get it. I do. But you can't just walk away from everything we've built here."

"Can't I?" I challenge. "Because lately, I've been wondering if maybe I should. I don't need the money or the stress."

Noah leans forward, his voice low and urgent. "This company needs you."

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