Page 81 of Cowboy's Healing Heart

My mother wrings her hands, her perfectly manicured nails glinting in the low light. "Darling, we're worried about you. About the choices you're making."

"What choices?" I ask, though I already know the answer.

"Your... relationship with that woman," my father says, his lip curling in distaste. "And your continued reluctance to take your rightful place at Innoventis."

"Mywoman has a name," I snap. "It's Krystal. And she's not going anywhere."

Noah shifts uncomfortably on the couch. "Shane, maybe we should all calm down-"

"No," I cut him off. "I'm done tiptoeing around this. Krystal and Ashanti are my family now. If you can't accept that, we have nothing to discuss."

My father's face reddens, his jaw clenching. "You have responsibilities, Shane. A legacy to uphold. You can't throw it all away for some...fling."

"Fling?" I laugh, the sound harsh and bitter. "Is that what you think this is? I love her. I love Ashanti. They're not some distraction or phase. They're my future."

"Be reasonable, Shane," my mother pleads. "Think about what you're giving up. The life you could have with someone like Courtney?—"

"I don't want that life!" The words explode out of me, and years of pent-up frustration overtake my usual calm disposition. "I never wanted it. The company, the arranged marriage, the constant pressure to be someone I'm not. I'm done."

SEVENTEEN

CROSSROADS

SHANE

Silence falls over the room,heavy and oppressive. My father's face is a mask of fury, while my mother looks on the verge of tears. Noah stares at the floor, his shoulders hunched.

"If you walk away from this," my father says, his voice low and dangerous, "you walk away from everything. The company, the money, all of it."

I meet his gaze, unflinching. "Fine."

"Shane, please," my mother begs. "Think about what you're saying. That woman... she's not built for this life. She'll never fit in. Is she really worth throwing away everything we've built?"

"Her name is Krystal!" I growl, and I swear the house shakes. "And yes, she's worth it. She's worth everything."

My parent exchanges a worried gaze, and I see when my father doubles down on his directives.

"You ungrateful?—"

"No, you don't get to play that card. I've given everything to this family. My childhood, my freedom, and years of my life in the military. I'm done sacrificing my happiness for your ambition."

"And what about Noah?" my father demands. "You'd saddle him with all the responsibility while you run off to play house with your little mechanic?"

Noah's head snaps up, his eyes wide. "Dad, I?—"

"Noah's more than capable of running the company," I say firmly. "He's passionate about it in a way I never was. He deserves the chance to prove himself."

"This is ridiculous," my father sputters. "Noah doesn't have the experience, the connections?—"

"Because you never gave him the chance!" I shout. "You've been so focused on molding me into your perfect heir that you never saw Noah's potential. Well, I'm done. You'll put Noah in charge if you want Innoventis to survive."

My mother rises, reaching out to me. "Shane, darling, please. We only want what's best for you."

I step back, out of her reach. "No, you want what's best for the family name. For the company. You've never cared about what I want."

"That's not true," she protests weakly.

"Isn't it? When was the last time you asked me what I wanted? What would make me happy?" I shake my head, a lifetime of disappointment and resentment bubbling to the surface. "You arranged my whole life without ever considering that I might want something different."

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