I don’t care what George said. I’m beginning to realize I’m better off without her. Good riddance. I smile and touch my heart to feign compassion. “I know you’re still getting used to the notion that your dad is gone, and you’re lashing out like a child. But you’re not calling my momma again. As for this office, it’s mine.”

She crosses her arms. She’s digging in. I’m surprised. I didn’t think she had it in her, not against me.

“You’re wrong. You’ll see. The thing is, Dad left the company to Mom and me. That was part of their divorce deal. You get your jewelry and some money.”

Think again, sweetheart. “Actually, your father revisited his will just before he died. He had complete faith in me, and you’re so young, too young to handle a company like this. He named me co-president, with your mom, should anything happen to him. And shockingly, it did. You’re picking the wrong side here.”

“You’re only four years older than me. Don’t tell me I’m too young to figure things out.” Her voice wavers. I’ve outmaneuvered her. She knows it.

“You did something to my dad. I’m going to prove it,” she says, pointing her finger at me. “Your own mom says you’re capable.”

“She’s crazy. She’ll say anything.” I need to soften my tone, even if she is accusing me of things. She’s just confused, and sad. “Look, it’s hard, I know. I miss John, too.”

Ashlyn stares at me and shakes her head. I hear her mumble, “OMG.”

I turn on the charm. “College is special. I never had a chance to go myself, but you do. Senior year is supposed to be the best. We can worry about all this business stuff after you graduate. I’ll keep everything at EventCo under control. Sound good? Nothing works if my momma shows up here. Do you understand me? That would be a bad, dangerous choice. She’d for sure bring this whole place down.”

Her mouth moves as if she wants to say something but can’t. Poor girl. I wonder what’s running through her little entitled brain.

“I don’t believe you. I don’t believe anything you say.” She opens the door to my office. “You are not my parent. You never have been, never will be. Stay out of my life.”

How dare she? She thinks she has power here. Calling my momma? Calling dentist Ron? She shouldn’t be stirring up trouble she doesn’t know how to serve. I’ll have Uncle George handle this. It’s his specialty.

I sit down at John’s desk. I wonder how long it will take to feel comfortable in my new role. I take a deep breath and look around at this gorgeous space. I think I’m used to it already.

CHAPTER 35

KATE

Sandra finally turns up with Bob by her side. I meet them at the door to my office.

“We have a situation,” I say, ushering them into my office.

“I know. Tish is here despite the fact she signed the separation agreement before we launched the IPO,” Sandra says. “I don’t get it.”

“She’s delusional and dangerous for our company, and a major distraction. I’ll take care of it. I just need proper witnesses. Let’s go.”

As I walk through the office, my employees wave at me. A few clap their hands. I’m energized. These are my people. I feel like an elite athlete about to enter the ring for the fight of her life. The undefeated champion.

Ashlyn appears as I cross through the atrium. “Mom, I need to talk to you.”

“Can it wait?” I ask. “I’m dealing with Tish.”

“She says Dad wrote a new will. That she’s your equal.”

“Impossible.” But is it?

What has he done now?

I look at my daughter and realize she’s scared.

“Honey, she’s bluffing,” I say. She must be.

“I hope so,” Ashlyn says.

My heart beats rapidly in my chest as I reach John’s office. My anger and frustration with Tish build with every step. And now, it feels something like rage. My therapist said rage is a dangerous form of anger: violent and uncontrollable. Maybe so, but I will put it to good use.

CHAPTER 36

TISH

As I sit and enjoy my office, I allow myself to dream about the future for a minute. Kate and I will settle into a routine here, or she’ll leave if she can’t handle it. As for the rest of my life, what will be? I think I’ll sell the house, upgrade to a bigger one in a fancier community. I’d like a swimming pool and a tennis court.

That’s it. I’ll start tennis lessons. And that’s how I’ll make friends. Because right now, I don’t have one. All I had was John, and then he betrayed me. I need to find a life outside of him. I sometimes wonder if I’ll always be alone. That’s what my momma said: nobody could love me.

But John did. He did. For a moment in time, I found true love.

I look up and Kate stands outside my door, a role reversal from earlier. How fun. I shoo her away with my hand and pretend to be busy with something on my desk. She is on my last nerve. Fact is, I found true love, but then she took it away.

Well, I guess I sort of did the same, but that’s not important now.

Kate flings open my door and steps inside with Sandra and boring Bob nipping at her heels. It’s suddenly a big old party in my office. I don’t like it.

“You all need an appointment to see me. Come back later!”

Sandra holds up her hand and says, “Tish, please, take a deep breath. We don’t tolerate yelling at EventCo.”

I laugh and shake my head. I focus on Kate. “And what exactly do you want?” Although I can guess, I want to hear her say it. They’ll all be so sorry.

Kate places both hands on John’s desk, and leans forward. Bob closes the door and follows Sandra’s lead, taking the seats across from me. They’re so dramatic. I feel like they’re trying to be intimidating, but they look ridiculous.

I drum my fingers on the desk. Impatient and irritated. If only I could get a good night’s sleep, I would be much sharper, better equipped for all of this. My house hates me.

“What do you want?” I ask.

My phone lights up. George is fifteen minutes away, stuck in traffic. I need to stall them.

I type Hurry before returning Kate’s stare.

I focus on Sandra. “Actually, it’s good you’re here. I looked for you earlier. I need a job posting for an executive assistant.” I smile. “I can see from the look on your face that you realize I’m a tough cookie to replace. But try. It wouldn’t hurt if he were nice to look at. I mean that in the most professional way. Sort of like how John thought about me at the beginning.”

“You are crazy, young lady,” Bob the troll blurts out.

He needs to get out of here. “I don’t even know why you’re in my office. I didn’t invite you.”

Kate stands rigid, fists clenched at her side. “You have exactly five minutes to pack up whatever belongings you have and get out of EventCo. Do you understand me?”

Sandra moves to Kate’s side and holds up her hand like a cop directing traffic. Why does she do that? “Tish, look, we know you’ve been through a lot and that you’re still in mourning. But you need to go. You resigned, remember? I have all of the paperwork right here. Your employment was terminated by mutual agreement.”

Sandra sounds like a kindergarten teacher. I am tired. I’m frustrated, and it shows. “You are so right, and thanks for noticing. I am exhausted, but I think it’s important after a loss like this to get back to work, back to the routine,” I say. “The fact of the matter is I resigned my assistant position, but now I’m co-president.”

Kate exhales. “What? You’re an executive assistant. You don’t have a job. You resigned your only position with the company. Get out.”

“No.” I say it calmly. Professionally. “Things have changed, and I’m not going anywhere.”

“Get out of my office or I’ll call the police to escort you out. Do you want that? Stop pushing me or I’ll—” Kate looks a little menacing, I’ll admit. It’s hard to look menacing in dusty rose, but she’s achieved it.

And why is she talking about police? She’d never call the cops. “Or what, Kate? I always win when it’s the two of us. Don’t you know that by now?”

“Young lady, that’s enough.” Bob points his old crooked finger at me and looks like he’s the one who is about to have a heart attack. “I’m calling the police.”

“Bob!” Sandra yells.

I thought we weren’t allowed to yell at EventCo? “Sandra. Inside voices. You know that.”

Sandra says, “I am here to collect your keys and escort you out of the EventCo offices. I assume you don’t have anything to pack up? Perhaps out there, at your real desk? But I believe you took everything with you when you resigned.”

She should not be messing with me. None of them should be. “I’m not packing up anything. As for this office, my new office, I’m leaving it as is, to honor John. If you keep pushing me, I’ll also take his title, CEO of EventCo, although as a nod to Kate, I was offering to be co-president. Maybe I just need to start over with a new human resources executive. There must be a million who are more qualified.”

“Stop the nonsense!” Kate is glassy eyed, with a creepy-looking smile. “You will leave immediately. Do you understand?”

Poor Kate. “You seem to think this is your decision.” I’m surprised she doesn’t accept that John, my husband, gave me half of the company. Too bad.

“Young lady.” Bob looks like he’s having a stroke. Good. “Leave this moment.”