Part 22: Thomas’s Fall
Thomas Harrington had always been the golden son — until he wasn’t.
A risky investment he had pushed through without proper due diligence collapsed spectacularly. Harrington Capital lost nearly forty million dollars in a single quarter. The board was furious. Several senior members openly questioned whether Thomas was ready to lead anything.
Edward had to personally step in to stabilize the situation. For the first time in his career, Thomas was publicly humiliated within the company his family built.
He started drinking heavily.
One night, after a particularly bad board meeting, Thomas showed up drunk at Maya’s brownstone. It was almost midnight.
Maya opened the door and found him standing on the steps, tie loosened, eyes red.
Thomas
“I fucked up.”
Maya didn’t invite him in immediately. She stood in the doorway, studying him.
Maya
“I know.”
Thomas laughed bitterly.
Thomas
“Of course you do. Everyone knows. The perfect secret daughter who never makes mistakes.”
Maya crossed her arms.
Maya
“I didn’t come here to compete with you, Thomas. I never wanted your life.”
Thomas looked at her for a long moment, then his shoulders slumped.
Thomas
“I don’t know how to do this. I’ve spent my whole life trying to be what he wanted. And now he looks at you like you’re the one who got it right.”
Maya was quiet for a while.
Maya
“He doesn’t look at me like that. He looks at me like he’s trying to make up for twenty-three years of absence. That’s not the same as winning.”
She stepped aside.
Maya
“Come inside. You’re not driving like this.”
Thomas hesitated, then walked in.
They sat in the living room without speaking for a long time. Eventually, Thomas spoke again, voice rough.
Thomas
“I don’t know how to stop being angry at you.”
Maya looked at him.
Maya
“Then don’t. Be angry. Just don’t be cruel about it. I didn’t ask for any of this either.”
Thomas stared at the floor.
Thomas
“I don’t know how to share him.”
Maya’s voice was soft but firm.
Maya
“Then maybe you need to figure out what kind of brother you want to be. Because right now, you’re acting like a stranger.”
Thomas didn’t answer. But he didn’t leave either. He stayed on her couch until he sobered up enough to call a car.
May you like
It wasn’t reconciliation.
But it was the first crack in the wall between them.
