The Carrero Effect - Falling for the Boss (Billionaire CEO)

“No, actually I’m currently looking toward a new career. One more fulfilling in which I can help children who have been abused; like I was.” I lift my chin proudly, meeting her eye ready to take on her response in a non-emotional way. I am at peace with how I am going to handle this.

Her eyes glaze over, and her eyebrow rises as she sighs, acting as though ‘little girl Emma’ is at it again, being over-dramatic, making herself out to be the poor defenseless, innocent child.

She is no mother of mine. I can see it now. I’ll never call her my mom again; she’s never been deserving of the title. In the short time Sylvana has known me she’s been more of a mom to me than Jocelyn ever was.

She’s pondering over how to respond, no doubt bringing memories of our last meeting fresh to her mind, afraid that raging and violent Emma may strop out again. That tiny trigger of annoyance builds higher at her silent pause.

Hold your temper, Emma, she’s not worth this. I swallow it down; just say the words and get it over and done with.

“Oh,” she finally says, sounding disinterested, no reaction to what I said as though she’s already internally decided to dismiss it.

I used to stupidly think my achievements would make her proud, that if I did something worthwhile with my life somehow, she’d love me. I ran to New York to be free of her, but I spent years allowing her in, still trying to please her from afar. Excelling in my work and trying to show her I was worthy. I did expect some sort of reaction about my chosen path or why, but I’m wrong. So very wrong. It’s not me who has to prove my worth anymore, it’s her, and honestly … She’s not worthy of my love and affection or my time.

“We’re having a baby.” I state flatly, not expecting the same type of response that Jake and I received from Sylvana. “You’re going to be a grandmother.” I add rather pointedly, to make a statement; to get everything out that I want her to know. I’ve lost all will for being here since this is going exactly how I should’ve known it would. She is too emotionally exhausting, and I don’t need to stay and take it anymore.

A wave of love sweeps over me when I say it out loud, noticing the way my smile comes out despite my irritation at her. It spreads across my face without any help from me; tadpole bringing me a sense of serenity from within. My hand instantly moves to cover my stomach gently, feeling its presence here with me gives me so much more strength. I focus on this tiny joy of my life and gain strength I need to finish this, letting it flood through me.

“I see.” She glances at me and then back at her desk and my smile fades.

never felt the love for me

it something she’s ever possessed for

dejectedly, suddenly tired, the anger that was bubbling seems to have given up on me and

many times have I built myself up for something, anything from her and always

Emma, I hope you know what you’re letting yourself in for.” Her tone, one of seriousness, edged with ice. I blink at her in dumbfounded silence, my heart aching, “Is it

Jocelyn?” I blurt out, more as a realization than an accusation and she at least has the decency to let her composure falter, especially at my use of her first name. I don’t feel anything about it now that I see it, not a single drop of pain over the fact that she never wanted motherhood or the clinging arms of a child. All those years of keeping me at arms-length, no affection, no warmth, and no protection, all

didn’t plan on ever having a baby. I just wasn’t suited for motherhood, but I made the most of it.” There’s no apology in her tone at all, no trying to soothe my feelings or deliver an answer in a gentle way, but there never has been. She

sadness, all the fight and will to somehow make her see the way she’s scarred

looking at her fully, willing eye

I’m sure there’s a reason that you’re built this way; a reason to why you’re drawn to men that hurt you. Maybe some of your past is so bad, like mine, you’ll

my heart aching but no longer ripping in two, a pain that is bearable and will fade in time. She watches me with her large wide eyes and says nothing, no emotion, no protest; just looks at me … emptily. The same way she always used to, yet this time it

and I’ve spent enough of my life trying to get you to just love me. That’s not a child’s job … That should’ve never been my burden. Maybe you do love me, in your own way, but it’s not enough. I want my child to know love the way it’s supposed to be, and I could never inflict your sort of indifference, and inability to nurture, on my baby.” I move my chair back gathering my composure. “I’m walking away Jocelyn. I’m saying goodbye to the pain that you’ve always inflicted on my heart and the way you always made me feel like everything bad that happened in my life was my fault. Jake showed me how wrong that was.” I give her a moment to do or say anything, but I already know

now.” I feel braver, my trembling hands and the aching pain inside of me are a sign that I care, that I always cared, and I can accept that. Because I do know how to love, and nurture and protect, and I’m never going to let myself be ashamed of knowing how. I am worthy of having a heart and giving a piece of it to those I love, but she doesn’t deserve my love anymore. She doesn’t deserve me in her life and the fact she hasn’t asked about my wedding or even congratulated me on the baby says it all. I was never her

if she knew any kind of warmth, she would’ve never allowed herself to show it. No emotion, no tears, and no attempt to try to change my mind. Her and my father are alike in so many ways, they used what they could from me until I was of no value anymore and then left me to find my

her and love her unconditionally; even before I was old enough to understand what she was taking from me.

had; and I’ll make a space in my heart for a mother already working her way around it, accepting the woman I am without any expectations. Mamma Carrero will give me what I’ve always yearned for and I’ll give her a grandchild that I know she will smother in real love. The only one losing anything is

a shadow of a doubt, but I don’t need you to acknowledge it anymore, because I see

emotion in an ocean full of false affection. It’s the only reaction I’ll ever see. But it’s not enough