My voice drops lower.
“The irony isn’t lost on me. I fought to protect you physically when you weren’t even there, but I failed to protect you emotionally when you were standing right in front of me.”
I turn from the window, pacing despite the pain in my side.
“I confronted Nico the next day. It got physical. We cleared the air, somewhat. I refuse to be manipulated by guilt anymore. I told him he’s not getting any money or shares oryou. It doesn’t make what I did right. Nothing can. But I wanted you to know that I finally stood up to him.”
I pause, running a hand through my hair.
“There’s one more thing. Your settlement is being processed today. Not contingent on the annulment. It’s yours, free and clear. I know money doesn’t fix anything, but at least it’s something concrete I can do.”
I stop at my desk, looking down at the unsigned annulment papers.
“As for the annulment... I haven’t signed it. Not because I’m trying to control you or force anything. I just...” I swallow hard. “I can’t bring myself to officially end what we had, even though I know I destroyed it. That’s my problem, not yours.”
I sit heavily in my chair.
“I understand if you never want to see or speak to me again. I wouldn’t blame you. But I needed you to know that I realize what I did. How I hurt you. And that I am so fucking sorry, Tatiana. Not just for the setup with Nico, but for everything. For treating you like an asset instead of a person. For pushing you away whenever I felt myself getting too close. For taking without giving.”
I clear my throat.
“You deserve better than what I gave you. You deserve everything. I realize that now, probably too late. But I’m trying to be better. To do better. Starting with this apology.”
I pause, then add quietly, “The contract period is over, but my feelings aren’t. I love you, Tatiana. I think I have for a while now. I was just too much of a coward to admit it, even to myself. Especially to myself.”
I end the recording and send it before I can second-guess myself. Then I drop my phone on the desk like it’s burning my hand.
There. Done. The most honest I’ve ever been.
I don’t expect a response. Don’t deserve one. But at least now she knows.
The intercom buzzes. “Mr. Rossi, the executive team is assembled in the conference room as requested.”
“Thank you, Eleanor. I’ll be right there.”
I straighten my tie and gather my thoughts. It’s time to implement real changes, not just in my personal life but in how I run my company. Less control. More trust. Less fear. More delegation. Less obfuscation. More transparency.
I walk into the conference room where a dozen executives wait, tension evident in their postures. They’re expecting the usual Dominic Rossi, the control freak who micromanages every detail.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” I begin, standing at the head of the table. “Thank you for coming. We have secured the Serenity Shores resort deal, as you know. But it’s become clear to me that my leadership style has been... problematic.”
Surprised glances pass between them.
“Moving forward, I’m implementing structural changes. Garcia, you’ll head the Costa Rica project directly, with full autonomy. Charles, I want you to restructure the design team however you see fit. Martinez, you have the authority to finalize contracts under fifty million without my approval.”
The shock in the room is palpable. I continue, outlining my vision for a more distributed leadership model, delegating more, establishing clearer chains of command that don’t all run directly through me.
When I finish, there’s a moment of silence before Garcia speaks up.
“If I may ask, sir, what prompted this change?”
I meet his gaze steadily. “Let’s just say I recently learned a valuable lesson about the cost of excessive control and what happens when fear drives decision-making.”
As the meeting disperses, I check my phone. Nothing from Tatiana. I didn’t expect anything, but the confirmation stings nonetheless.
Back in my office, I stare again at the annulment papers. Still unsigned. Still waiting.
I pick up my phone and text Jake.