Page 172 of The Daddy P.I. Casefiles: The Second Collection
Harmony sits forward, clasping her hands between her knees. “I know I’m not a real stepmother to you. You were already grown up when I married Ken and I didn’t think to question your place in the family. I made assumptions about what you wanted, about your future. I should have been your ally, Cynnie. And I wasn’t because I just accepted the situation. I never asked if you wanted to marry Kade. I never even asked if you were paid a salary for all the work you do. I should have asked years ago.”
Cynnie glances at me and I can tell she has no idea how to respond. I unknot her hands and twine her fingers with mine.
“That’s very nice of you, Harmony,” Cynnie says finally. “Thank you.”
“You shouldn’t be thanking me. You should be yelling at me. I’m ashamed of myself. I’m more ashamed of my husband and your brother, but I’m ashamed of myself. I should have asked. I should have let you know you could confide in me. I’m not asking you to think of me as your mother. I’m not trying to replace her. But I should have been a better friend to you, Chinnichan. And I’m very sorry I wasn’t. If you give me another chance, I’ll do better in the future.”
Cynnie glances at me again. I give her an encouraging nod.
“I don’t blame you for anything,” Cynnie says. “And maybe I’m a little to blame, too. I should have made more effort to get to know you and be your friend.” She falls silent, then clears her throat and continues, “I just thought you might judge me the way Jun and Baachan do.”
Harmony fingers her amber and gold necklace, making the beads clack together. “I married your dad because I love him. But I’m not deaf. I know what people say about a secretary marrying a millionaire. A man almost twice her age. If there’s anyone who should worry about being judged, it’s me. You’ve always been kind. I thought you kept to yourself because no one in the family shared your ... interests. It never occurred to me that it’s because Ken and Jun had you working so hard. Jun’s wife said they’ll have to hire three people to do your job if they can’t get you to come back. I’m disgusted, honey. Absolutely disgusted. And so angry at them.”
Cynnie squeezes my fingers. Her cheeks flush that adorable golden rose color. “Thank you.”
“I promise, I’m not here to try to convince you to come home. And it’s very nice to meet you, Max, but I want to make sure that if youwantto come home, you know you have someone in your corner. You don’t have to stay here if you don’t want to.”
Cynnie smiles and rests her head on my shoulder. “Max asked me to move in with him before the party. I wouldn’t have done it so fast, but now that I’m here, I’m happy. I’d like my clothes, if I could come and get them.”
That seems like a prime opportunity for Jun or her grandmother or both to ambush her.
“How about I get them?” I offer.
Cynnie beams up at me. “Yes, if Max could get them.”
“Don’t be silly.” Harmony waves a manicured hand. “I’ll have everything boxed up and delivered here. I’m sorry I didn’t think of bringing a bag with me today. Do you have any clothes? Any money?”
Cynnie, who’s wearing one of my Navy sweatshirts and another pair of my running pants, shakes her head.
“I’ll take care of it,” Harmony says. “I’m so sorry, honey. Is there anything else you need?”
“No, I’m good.”
Harmony sighs. “Will you keep in touch with me? We could have lunch later this week?”
Cynnie nods. “I’d like that. If you send my laptop with my clothes, I’ll finish the projects for Orionex. They’re the ones with the closest deadlines. That will give Jun time to hire people.”
I drop a kiss on the top of Cynnie’s head. That’s my bumble, generous, giving. I don’t want her sucked back into her family business, but making sure their customers aren’t left in the lurch is more than good business. It’s kind. I want my girl to have opportunities to spread her joy. “Proud of you, baby,” I whisper.
She squeezes my fingers.
“Does that mean there’s a chance of you coming back?” Harmony asks, grimacing. “I don’t even want to raise the possibility if it’s completely out of the question, but I know it’s the first thing Ken will ask me. Well, maybe the second. Hopefully, he’ll ask me how you are first.”
“I’d hope so,” I grumble.
Harmony nods tightly.
I’m not sure any of us believe it will be the second thing Cynnie’s dad asks.
“Could you let Papa know I’m safe and happy but I’m not coming back? And I won’t be working for the company anymore.” Cynnie takes a deep breath and squeezes my fingers. “It’s time for me to figure out whatIwant to do.”
Harmony fingers her necklace again. “He’ll be disappointed. And your brother will be furious. But I think you’re making the right choice. And honestly? Don’t be surprised if you get an email in a few weeks asking you to do contract work. I may have been just a secretary, but I’ve been in business long enough to know when someone’s really indispensable. Give them a few weeks to stew without you, and I suspect you’ll be able to set your own terms, honey.”
“Thank you, Harmony,” I say.
She rises and holds her hand out to me. I pull Cynnie up with me and shake her stepmother’s hand. When Harmony opens her arms, Cynnie steps forward and gives her a warm hug.
I show Harmony out, holding the door for her. “Goodbye.”
