Page 78 of Cowboy's Healing Heart

I shake my head, a sad smile on my face. "No, Noah. It needs you."

His eyes widen in surprise. "What?"

"You're the one who's passionate about this place," I explain. "You're the one who lives and breathes Innoventis. I've been going through the motions, but my heart's not in it anymore."

Noah sits back, stunned. "I... I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything," I reply. "Just think about it. You'd make a better CEO than I ever could."

Before Noah can respond, there's another knock at the door. This time, it's my father who enters, his face like thunder.

"We need to talk," he says, his voice brooking no argument.

I stand up, squaring my shoulders. "Fine. Let's talk."

My father closes the door behind him, his eyes darting between Noah and me. "What's going on here? Some kind of coup?"

I laugh, the sound bitter and hollow. "A coup? Really, Father? Is that what you think this is?"

He narrows his eyes. "I don't know what to think anymore, Shane. You've been acting erratically ever since you came back. And now this scene in the boardroom?"

"Erratically?" I repeat, my voice rising. "Because I'm not falling in line with your grand plan? Because I've found someone that matters more to me than this company?"

My father's face reddens. "That woman is clouding your judgment. She and that child?—"

"Their names," I interrupt, my voice dangerously low, "are Krystal and Ashanti. And they're my family now."

"Family?" my father scoffs. "They're not family, Shane. They're a distraction. A phase you need to get over so you can focus on what really matters."

I feel something snap inside me. All the frustration and anger I've been holding back comes rushing to the surface.

"What really matters?" I shout, slamming my hand on the desk. "You want to know what really matters to me, Dad? It's not this company. It's not your legacy. It's the way Krystal looks at me, like I'm more than just my last name. It's the sound of Ashanti's laughter when we're playing together. It's the feeling of coming home to people who love me for who I am, not what I can do for them."

My father takes a step back, shock written across his face. I've never spoken to him like this before.

"Shane—"

"No, you're going to listen to me for once," I say, my voice firm. "I'm done living up to your expectations. I'm done trying to be the son you want me to be. I'm going to live my life on my terms."

Noah stands up, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Shane, maybe we should all calm down?—"

I shake him off. "No, Noah. This needs to be said." I turn back to my father. "You want to know why I've been 'distracted'? It's because I've finally found something worth being distracted by. Something real. Something that makes me happy."

My father's expression hardens. "And what about your responsibilities? Your duty tothisfamily?"

"My duty?" I laugh, the sound harsh and bitter. "My duty is to myself and my happiness. And to Krystal and Ashanti. They're my priority now, whether you like it or not."

For a moment, silence reigns in the office. Then my father speaks, his voice cold and controlled.

"If that's how you feel, then perhaps it's time we discussed your future at Innoventis."

I meet his gaze, unflinching. "Perhaps it is."

Noah steps between us, his hands raised. "Okay, let's all take a breath here. We're family. We can work this out."

But deep in my gut, I know we're past the point of working things out. The line has been drawn, and I've made my choice.

"Noah's right," I say, my voice calmer now. "We are family. But that doesn't mean we have to agree on everything. And right now, we clearly don't."

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