Page 98 of The Call She Made That He Never Answered
"I've already talked to Grandfather." Lucas laughed. "He said I needed to learn what actually matters. He'll oversee operations, and I found an excellent CEO. He's already handled the board vultures. I'll spend the next month finishing the transition, making sure the company runs smoothly. Then I'm coming to Rochester."
I collapsed onto the couch, my mind blank. This man. This man who valued work over life itself. Who could travel for months without a single call home. He was telling me he'd give up everything to be with me and our baby.
"Why?" I heard myself ask. "Why go this far?"
"Because I love you," he said. Soft, but every word carved into my heart. "I love you, Ella. I love our family. I love our child. I don't want to leave you alone anymore, making you bear all that loneliness and pain. I want to be a good husband. A good father.I want to make up for every mistake. I want two full years by your side—yours and the baby's. I don't want to miss a single moment of your pregnancy or the baby's first time rolling over. When the kid can walk and call me Dad, then I'll think about going back to work."
While he rambled through that long speech, tears poured from my eyes. I couldn't stop them.
"Lucas." My voice shook.
"I know it's not enough," Lucas exhaled. "I know I hurt you too badly. But, Ella, please give me a chance. Let me prove I can change. I can become the person you need."
I tried to speak, but something blocked my throat. I could only cover my mouth as tears streamed down.
"I'll be there in a month," he said. "Wait for me, okay?"
"Okay." I finally got the word out.
After hanging up, I sat there in a daze. Outside, city lights gradually dimmed as night deepened. The window reflected my face—written all over it was a hesitation I'd never felt before.
Maybe I should give him a chance.
And give myself one too.
After all, this baby deserved a complete family.
And I deserved real love.
And maybe, just maybe, a man willing to abandon his entire empire for me was worth one final gamble.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Lucas
Manhattan winter cut like a blade.
I sat in my office on the top floor of Rockefeller Group headquarters, staring out at Central Park through the floor-to-ceiling windows. This building was the heart of the commercial empire my grandfather built, and I was about to walk away from it.
"Finance needs your signature on these reports."
"Legal needs you to review the merger documents."
"The board wants you at tomorrow morning's meeting."
Work kept piling up. My new assistant was a middle-aged man, efficient and no-nonsense. He didn't try to cross boundaries like Vivian had. Didn't look at me with those suggestive eyes while I worked.
Exactly what I needed.
I turned and took the files he handed me. Twenty-seventh document today requiring my signature. I checked my watch. Three p.m. Twenty-eight days since I'd promised Ella I'd finish the transition in a month.
Two days left. Just two more days, and I could fly back to Rochester.
"Take these." I handed the signed documents back. "How many more?"
"About fifteen documents need your review." He paused. "Also, Mr. Hill wants to have dinner tonight to discuss transition details."
I rubbed my temples. I hadn't slept properly in a month. Office by six a.m., didn't leave until eleven p.m. Weekends spent in meetings, reviewing documents, and meeting clients. I wanted to stretch each day into forty-eight hours.
