Chapter 12

ESTELLE

“Oh, God! I’m so relieved you’re finally back.” Mom had been hugging me for about a minute, and she hadn’t let me go just yet.

“Mom, you have to let me catch a breath.” I couldn’t help but chuckle.

Finally, she pulled away and inspected me from head to toe, then to Quinn behind me. “She’s not going anywhere. Leave us, Quinn.” When Quinn shut the door behind him, Mom said, “You look beautiful. Not too tan. And you look happy.”

“Because I am.” I couldn’t let go of her hand. I really missed my mother. Mom always looked beautiful and sophisticated at fifty-five. I hoped I would look just like her when I turned her age, and I was her carbon copy anyway.

“Are you ready to come back to work?”

“This is your office, Mom. The job suits you well. You’re meant to be the CEO of Star LLC.”

“What about you?”

“I will still be the chairman, contribute to the design, be the consultant, attend meetings, continue with the campaign and donate to ch