“It was your abuelo’s primary ethos when starting this company that Hallazgo assist its employees in times of crisis, especially in relation to any family-related health challenges. ‘A company is only as strong as the people who built it. Take care of them, and they’ll give you everything they’ve got in return.’ That’s what he always used to say, and that mindset is what helped Hallazgo to prosper.”
I remember my abuelo saying that, too, but I was too young in the years before he died to truly understand what he meant, or just how far he was willing to go to follow through on those words. From what my abuela told me, there was so much my abuelo wanted to accomplish with Hallazgo, but couldn’t thanks to bureaucratic roadblocks within the healthcare system. So, it soothes my grief-stricken heart to know he was at least able to do this—to take care of the people who helped him lay the foundation and build the company into what it is now.
My father’s voice drowns to a hum in my ears, but when I hear Blondie’s name, my attention snaps back to him. “We want to support Lexi, and this will allow us to do that in a way that can be classed as legitimate compensation…andwon’thave the IRS scrutinizing our finances.” Despite the severity of his tone, his words lack heat, and I swear I even catch a glint of amusementin his eyes. The slight upward tilt at the left corner of his mouth a moment later confirms it.
“That’s…really generous, Dad.” With so little to be grateful for these past few years, it feels foreign to show gratitude now, especially to my father, who I have blamed for so much of the bad in my life. But I will…because itisgenerous and Iamgrateful, and I would humble myself before even my worst enemy if they were willing to help my Blondie.
“Lexi is important to you, which means she’s important to us,” my mom says, giving my shoulder a squeeze. I have to resist the urge to laugh. Guess Blondie is no longer “that Dornan girl” and is back in my mom’s good graces again. Who would’ve thought all it would take was a little verbal spanking from my fearless girlfriend.
“And selfishly,” my father adds, and I suppress a groan because I know what’s coming, “I see an opportunity here, and it would be senseless not to bring on her talent when we have the chance.”
My dad is and always has been an opportunist, but for once, I can’t disagree. Blondieisremarkable, and he would be an idiot not to snatch her up before the rest of the world realizes what she has to offer.
“I… Thank you,” I say, and I mean it. “I’ll talk to her about it, and let you know what she says.”
“Excellent.” Dad smiles again, and it takes all the self-restraint I have to stop myself from alerting the press. Wow, that’s two in one day. He slaps the cover of my proposal. “As for this, when do you think you can have it completed?”
My heart leaps in my chest, but I try my best to tamp down my excitement. I don’t want to get my hopes up. “When do you need it?”
He pivots in his seat, and folds his hands on top of the table, reverting to business mode. “I’d like to take it before the board as soon as possible. And I want you there with me.”
What?
“Damian?” Mom prompts when I don’t respond.
I should say something, right? I mean, they’re literally offering me everything I want—not just the chance to work for Hallazgo, but to truly build something that matters, like my abuelo wanted. And better yet, to do it with Blondie.
So, why does that suddenly not feel like enough?
Because it isn’t,my conscience whispers, and my heart squeezes, reminding me that there’s something close to it that’s still unresolved.
“I have something to say. Something I need to make clear.”
My parents both look at me, confused. I swallow, staring down at my hands, which I fold together in my lap.
“What you’re offering…I want it. I do,” I tell them. “But if I’m going to come work at Hallazgo, I have some conditions.”
“If?” my mom practically screeches. Her hand slips from my shoulder, and I glance up as she peers over at my father, her face lined with concern. “What are you?—”
“It’s fine,” Dad interrupts, his tone surprisingly cordial as he holds up a hand. “Let him speak, Lenore.”
I exhale a shaky breath.
Be brave. Be bold. Be fearless,I say to pump myself up, once again quoting my mother’s favorite decorative sofa cushions. Damn, maybe inspirational homeware is really onto something. That shit has become ingrained in my brain.
“Working on this proposal,” I begin, measuring every word, “hearing that you want me involved, I—” I shake my head. “It’s everything I want…but I realize now it’s not enough.” I meet my father’s gaze. “I know you’re afraid of making any decisions that could negatively impact Hallazgo, but you can’t keep runningfrom progress, not after what happened with Jamie. I want to head up this initiative, but if I come on board, if I do it, it’s with the condition that Hallazgo pushes for change in the medical field, and invests in experimental treatments and drug development. Pediatric cancers in particular are vastly underfunded, you know this…but they don’t have to be. I want us to work with universities, contribute to research in not just pediatric oncology but also in stem cell therapy, gene therapy, CAR-T cell therapy, tissue engineering…so that all the other Jamies out there have that potentially life-saving option when every other choice is exhausted.”
Dad opens his mouth to respond, but I cut him off before he can speak, heading off his protest. “I don’t care about the board’s opinion,” I tell him, because I don’t, and if I’m going to work at the company, he needs to know I won’t be intimidated or pushed around by some old farts who don’t have the same emotional and personal stake in this business as I do. “Hallazgo ismylegacy as much as it is yours, and I want it to be known not just for its success from an economic standpoint but for the impact it has. And to do that, we need to be willing to push boundaries. So, you can convince the board or I will. But thishasto happen. It’s the only way forward.” Unclenching my hands, I reach out and tap a finger against the cover of the proposal. “If you wantthis, if you wantmeto be part of Hallazgo…thenthat’sthe only future I see.”
My parents are silent for so long I start to wonder if I’ve broken them…or if I’ve irrevocably blown things up again. Are they going to retract their offer—not just for me to work at Hallazgo, but everything they said they’d do for Blondie? I hope not, but they’ve both always been so hard to read, especially my dad. And this might be the one point he’s not willing or able to budge on.
After what feels like an eternity, my father blows out a loud breath. “Perhaps, I have been a coward—placed too much weight on protecting your abuelo’s legacy instead of fostering it like he always wanted. Maybe this is how we move forward.”
Astonishment ripples through me at his soft-spoken admission. He scrubs a hand across his face, and though the other remains on my proposal, when he looks at me, I know he’s not thinking about Hallazgo or even all the good I know we can accomplish if he’ll only give us the chance to try. I know he’s thinking about us as a family. About how we’re going to finally find our way out of our grief. Together.
My throat tightens at the thought. “For Jamie,” I whisper.
To my right, I hear the quiet break of my mother’s composure, the stifled sound of her sob—it’s the first time I’ve witnessed her cry since my brother’s death—but I cling to my father’s gaze, willing him to meet me halfway. His own is unblinking.
