Chapter Eight: The Family Problem
1252 Words
Ethan Carter had learned early in life that disappointment could arrive wearing an expensive suit.
Sometimes it came in the form of a business deal that fell apart. Sometimes it came through a phone call from an investor. And sometimes it came from his father, who could turn a simple conversation into a reminder that nothing Ethan did was ever quite enough.
That Friday morning, Daniel Carter summoned him to his office.
Ethan arrived at nine o’clock sharp, carrying the latest hotel redevelopment reports. His father sat behind a wide mahogany desk, reading a document while his assistant stood nearby.
“Sit down,” Daniel said without looking up.
Ethan took the chair opposite him.
“I reviewed the preliminary figures for the hotel,” Daniel continued. “The project is progressing, although I remain concerned about the amount of money being allocated to the restoration.”
“The ballroom requires structural inspections before we can finalize the budget.”
“And the interior designer?”
“Ava Bennett has submitted several cost-effective alternatives. Her recommendations preserve the building’s original features while reducing unnecessary replacement costs.”
Daniel finally looked up.
“You sound impressed.”
“She knows what she’s doing.”
“Being talented is not the same as being practical.”
“She is practical.”
Daniel leaned back.
“Ethan, I have spent thirty years building this company. I know what makes a project successful. Beautiful designs are pleasant, but profit is what keeps the doors open.”
“I understand that.”
“Do you? Because lately, you seem more interested in protecting a ballroom than protecting the company’s interests.”
Ethan’s jaw tightened.
“The ballroom is part of the hotel’s identity. Removing its original features would damage the project’s appeal.”
“That is your opinion.”
“It’s also supported by the restoration team’s preliminary assessment.”
Daniel waved a hand dismissively.
“Regardless, I have another matter to discuss. The West Coast division needs stronger leadership. I am considering moving you to Los Angeles for at least a year.”
Ethan stared at him.
“You’re moving me?”
“I’m offering you an opportunity.”
“I’m already leading the Manhattan hotel project.”
“You are managing one redevelopment. You need experience overseeing larger operations before you can take on the responsibilities I have planned for you.”
Ethan felt his frustration rising.
“Then give me more responsibility here. Let me finish what I started.”
Daniel’s expression hardened.
“You are not in a position to dictate the terms of your career.”
For a moment, Ethan said nothing.
He remembered being a teenager, sitting at the dinner table while his father discussed acquisitions and expansion. His mother would ask Ethan about school, his interests, and the things that made him happy. Daniel would ask about grades, achievements, and what Ethan planned to do to prepare for the future.
After Elizabeth died, those conversations became even more difficult.
His father had responded to grief by working harder. Ethan had followed his example, convincing himself that success would eventually make everything feel right again.
It never had.
“I need time to consider the offer,” Ethan said at last.
Daniel nodded, already returning to his documents.
“You have until Monday.”
Ethan stood.
“And Ethan?”
He turned.
“Do not allow personal attachments to interfere with business decisions. You are not a child anymore.”
Ethan knew exactly what his father meant.
He left the office without replying.
Later that afternoon, he found Charlotte waiting in his apartment. She had brought lunch and, judging by the expression on her face, was prepared to interrogate him.
“Ryan told me Dad wants to send you to Los Angeles.”
Ethan removed his jacket. “Ryan talks too much.”
“Ryan was worried. There’s a difference.”
Ethan sat on the sofa and rubbed his forehead.
“I don’t know what Dad wants from me anymore.”
Charlotte sat beside him.
“He wants you to become the person he thinks you should be.”
“And what if I don’t want to become that person?”
“Then you need to tell him.”
“It’s not that simple.”
“It never is with Dad.”
Ethan looked toward the window. Manhattan stretched beneath the late-afternoon sky, full of movement and noise.
“I feel like I’ve spent my entire life trying to prove something to him.”
Charlotte’s expression softened.
“You don’t have to earn the right to be yourself, Ethan.”
He laughed without humor.
“Tell him that.”
“I would, but he’d probably schedule a meeting about it.”
That made Ethan smile faintly.
Charlotte reached for his hand.
“Mom wouldn’t want you to spend your life being miserable just to make Dad happy.”
The mention of Elizabeth settled over the room.
Ethan swallowed.
“I miss her.”
“I know.”
“Sometimes I want to call her when something good happens. Or when something goes wrong. I still catch myself thinking she’ll tell me what to do.”
Charlotte leaned against his shoulder.
“She would probably tell you to stop being stubborn.”
Ethan let out a quiet laugh.
“She told me that all the time.”
“Because you were stubborn all the time.”
They sat together for several minutes, remembering their mother. Charlotte told him about a photograph she had found in Eleanor’s house, showing Elizabeth laughing in front of the hotel’s old entrance. Ethan listened, grateful for the memory and saddened by how much he wished he could make another one with her.
That evening, Ryan arrived with takeaway food.
He took one look at Ethan’s expression and set the bags down.
“Bad meeting?”
“Terrible.”
“Do we need to commit a harmless act of revenge? Nothing illegal. I have a reputation to protect.”
Ethan shook his head.
“Dad wants to move me to Los Angeles.”
Ryan stopped joking.
“What do you want?”
“I want to finish the hotel project.”
“Then fight for it.”
Ethan looked at him.
“You make everything sound easy.”
“No. I make everything sound simple. It’s different.”
Ryan pulled out a chair.
“You keep saying you want your father to trust you. But have you ever considered that he might not change just because you keep doing what he asks?”
Ethan remained silent.
Ryan continued more gently.
“You can respect your father without letting him decide every part of your life.”
After Ryan left, Ethan stood by the window for a long time.
His phone lit up with a message from Ava.
The restoration specialist confirmed that the ballroom windows can be repaired. I’ll send the report tomorrow. This is good news!
Ethan read it twice.
Then he replied:
That is good news. Thank you for pushing for it.
A moment later, she sent:
You're welcome. Try not to sound too surprised when I’m right.
He smiled for the first time that day.
He wanted to tell her about his father, the possible move, and the pressure he felt to live according to someone else’s expectations.
Instead, he typed:
I’ll try.
It was a small answer, but it was honest.
For Ethan Carter, honesty was becoming the beginning of a much larger decision.
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