“I improved profits. Raised salaries. Brought in larger clients. Expanded internationally.”
“All true.”
“And created a culture where people were terrified to admit they had personal problems.”
I said nothing.
The irony did not need help.
“The first morning Mia came to work,” he said, “I saw you running down that hallway with terror on your face.”
“I was fairly certain you were going to fire me.”
“I know.”
“You looked angry.”
“I was angry.”
“At me?”
“At myself.”
I stared.
He continued.
“My mother lost a career because someone decided caregiving made her less committed. Decades later, I owned the same company, and one of my best executives believed bringing her child to work during an emergency could end her career.”
My throat tightened.
“I realized I had changed the ownership and preserved the fear.”
The kitchen became very quiet.
“So that’s why you’re stepping back.”
“Partly.”
“And the new family-care policy?”
“You noticed.”
“Priya nearly cried when HR announced backup childcare reimbursement.”
Adrian smiled faintly.
“We should have done it years ago.”
“Yes.”
“I know.”
There was no defensiveness in him.
Only acceptance.
I walked closer.
“You made a mistake.”
“Several.”
“You’re correcting it.”
“Trying.”
“That counts.”
His eyes searched mine.
“I spent years thinking being a good leader meant making myself necessary to every important decision.”
“And now?”
“Now I think a leader who cannot leave the room has probably built the room badly.”
I smiled.
“That’s annoyingly insightful.”
“I have occasional moments.”
“So I’ve heard.”
His hands settled lightly at my waist.
Then his expression became serious.
“There’s another thing I need to tell you.”
“London?”
“Yes.”
My stomach tightened.
“I’m not going.”
I searched his face.
“Because of me?”
“No.”
Relief surprised me.
He saw it.
“You’re happy I said no.”
“I’m very happy.”
He smiled.
“I’m staying because I don’t want the job.”
“That is a much better reason.”
“My father and I finally discussed it.”
“Discussed?”
“He said he never actually asked me to take it.”
I began laughing.
“I know.”
Adrian narrowed his eyes.
