He barely looked up. “Sure, honey. Good luck.”
That familiar sting of disappointment hit, but I pushed it down. Today wasn’t about seeking approval from someone who’d made it clear I’d never earn it. Today was about proving to myself that I deserved the success I’d worked for.
The presentation exceeded every expectation. The clients were engaged, asking insightful questions, nodding along with my recommendations. By the end, the CEO was shaking my hand firmly. “Miss Foster, you’ve clearly done your homework. We’ll be in touch very soon.”
After they left, Victoria pulled me aside, eyes bright with excitement. “That was excellent work, Audrey. I think we’ve got them. Take the rest of the day off—you’ve earned it.”
I checked my watch: 2:30 PM. My parents wouldn’t be expecting me for hours. I could surprise them with the good news, maybe even suggest we celebrate with dinner out—my treat, obviously, though they’d never acknowledge it as such.
When I pulled into the driveway, both their cars were there. Unusual for a Wednesday afternoon when my mother typically had book club. I entered quietly through the side door, already planning how I’d announce my early arrival and my success.
Then I heard my father’s voice carrying from the bedroom he’d converted into a home office. He was on a video call, and his voice had that particular tone—relaxed, unguarded, the way people sound when they think they’re having a private conversation.
“Yeah, Stan, we’re still living with her,” he was saying to Stanley Bennett, his old construction buddy. “What choice do we have? The housing market’s ridiculous these days.”
I froze in the hallway, about to call out, when something in his tone made me hesitate.
“Hold on, let me end this call properly,” my father said. “Audrey’s always nagging me about just hitting the red button.”
