Page 101 of The CEO Enemy

Instantly, tears well up in her eyes.

I open the ring box and her eyes grow wider. It’s not the modest type of engagement ring she picked previously. This one is uniquely crafted. The centerpiece, a sparkling diamond, is encircled by a delicate arrangement of vibrant stones. There won’t be a shred of doubt that someone has claimed this woman. Me.

She gasps and puts both her hands over her mouth. “No way…no way, Sean…oh my goodness…”

“Baby. Woman of my dreams. My one and only love. My beautiful Lockout Queen. My crazy Balcony Spider-Woman. Will you marry me? “

She starts nodding. “Yes!…Yes!” She breaks into sobs, tears cascading down her cheeks. “Of course I’ll marry you!”

She falls into my hug.

I scoop her up and spin her around before covering her mouth in a million kisses.

I’m in high spirits as I cruise into work. All the pieces have fallen into place, and it’s amazing how well Jess and I are doing, balancing our work and personal lives. I’m not saying that it’s been a walk in the park from the get-go. Given what Jess went through, her heartbreak cut deeper than any financial loss. She had trusted the wrong person, and it had cost her more than money—it had shattered her faith in men. But I’m patient, ready to spend the rest of my life making up for the pain that a deceitful shithead caused. I vow that she’ll never have to endure such a loss of trust and finances again.

After I drop her off at the hotel, I head to Blackwood HQ.

Jasmine isn’t at her desk when I arrive. Which is why I’m blindsided when I go into my office, and my father is standing by the windows. For the most part, he’s backed off since our rather dramatic showdown in front of the board, now occupying the role of a regular board member. Yet seeing him like this without warning instantly puts me on the defensive.

“Good morning,” I greet. “Do I want to know what you’re doing here so early?” I sit at my desk and start my computer.

He doesn’t answer immediately, which is unusual. After several seconds of tense silence, he begins to speak, still facing the skyline, “I’m stepping down.”

That’s definitely not what I was expecting to hear from him. “I’m sorry, I think I misheard you.”

He turns around to look at me, and I don’t see his usual hard expression. He’s tired, and now more than ever, I’m struck with how much he looks his age. “You didn’t mishear. I’m resigning.”

“Why?”

He crosses the room but doesn’t sit. “Sean, I’m well aware I have overstayed my welcome. I tried so hard to keep things from changing. I guess I’m too old to learn new things. All this technology and growth is going over my head, and I’m already being left in the dust. It’s best for us as father and son, and for the company, if I retire.”

I sit with his words, trying to process what I’m hearing. I figured that was his problem but to hear him admit it out loud is another thing entirely. I take a deep breath and lean back in my seat.

“It’s really not that difficult to learn,” I tell him. “You don’t have to give up your spot just because you feel you’re being left behind.”

He raises an eyebrow. “I thought you’d be thrilled to get rid of me.”

I breathe out a heavy sigh.

His gaze meets mine, and we remain there, looking into each other’s eyes.

“Please sit.” I gesture to one of the chairs.

He takes a seat across from me.

As he settles onto the chair, I find myself searching for the right words.

I get up and take my seat next to him.

I’m not even sure why I ask—the question is out of my mouth before I can stop it. “Why didn’t you save Mom?”

Heavy silence settles in the room.

Dad shakes his head, weariness etched on his face. “Don’t you think I tried? Son, I tried everything. She was so damn stubborn. I lie awake every night, replaying it all in my mind, questioning what I could have done differently. Mary, she would not listen. Not a word when I urged her to quit her job, to take it easy, or at least give up that darn charity idea of hers. I even threatened that I would never attend if she didn’t stop. Nobody could have convinced her. She didn’t want to hear more doctors saying the same damn thing. She knew. She didn’t want to upend her life.”

I sense the unspoken pain in my father’s eyes.

“Dad, I didn’t mean?—”

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