39. Sloan

CHAPTER 39

Sloan

R echecking her phone, Sloan does her best to ignore the disappointment growing in her chest, filling the wound in her chest. Sloan's heart feels exposed. Open. A wound she's unsure how to fix.

She's texted Daisy several times since telling her she liked her, but there's been radio silence. She pulls out her phone and opens the chat with Daisy, only to see her unanswered messages.

Sloan

Hey. Sorry for running out again.

I…

I said I liked you, and it felt like you brushed me off.

Goddess, I don't know why I'm saying this in a text.

And you aren't even answering me.

… really?

Nothing.

Are you really not going to talk to me?

Daisy? Come on.

I know you're scared. But we could work. We do work.

I really should take the silence as an answer.

Nothing.

Look, you've made your point clear.

I'll see you at the meeting this afternoon, but as far as any "US" is concerned, we're done.

I tried to show you that people actually care about you, that I cared about you, but all you did was push me away, brushing me off as nothing more than a good lay.

I can't keep hoping that you'll finally see me.

It confirms that Sloan's feelings were one-sided. She'd be lying if she said the ghosting didn't hurt. That it doesn't feel like a hex taking hold of her. She was such a fool believing that someone like Daisy could ever care for someone like her.

She releases a defeated sigh, running her hand through her hair. Sliding her phone back in her pocket, she turns back to her laptop. Despite the ache in her chest and finalizing details for this stupid event, Sloan initiated the first steps to building her own company. The argument with her mother proved to be the exact kick in the ass that she needed, so she's spent the last two days in meetings as she separates herself from her family. Something that has truly been a long time coming.

Venturing out on her own is terrifying, and the fear of failure ingrained in her since she was a young witch attempts to take hold.

What if she flops?

What if no one wants to work with her now that she's separated from the family business?

What will the community think?

How will it reflect on the rest of the family?

All these thoughts and more dance like a circus act around her mind, taunting her. As much as she wants to—no, needs to—strike out on her own, deep down she knows that she will always be associated with her family. It's hard to completely separate herself when she still holds the family name. And if she's honest with herself, the name alone has opened doors for her. She has clients because of her family name. They trust the power of the Wilkses. If only the community knew the whole truth. That the Wilkses don't care about anyone but themselves.

As she sends off another client email, informing them of the change in business and referring them to another actuary in the office, Sloan thinks about how her parents showed clients how little they cared. The increased client rates with lower coverage. The excuses for delayed reimbursement. The empty and continually unfulfilled promises. Let alone all of the flaunting of their power. The not-so-subtle hints of how they could ruin clients' businesses with a simple snap of the fingers and whisper in the right being's ear.

It all makes so much sense.

And she was complicit in all this. At first, she didn't realize or know any better, but it's no wonder why Daisy doesn't want her. Who would when she comes from all that? Sloan's been saying she's a changed person, but she's been actively perpetuating all of her family's harm.

"I wouldn't want me either," Sloan says to her empty kitchen. Alone. Always and forever alone.

Her email pings, alerting her to a response from the client she previously emailed.

From: agromley@ wishingstone.mag

To: swilks@ insureincandescent.mag

Subject: Future Opportunities

Miss Wilks,

We are saddened to hear of your departure from your family business. However, as we have had an excellent relationship with you as our actuary and know that you have gone to great lengths to get us the support we need, we would like to remain your client and follow you wherever you may be headed.

Please let us know where we can reach you going forward. Our separation of business notice has already been forwarded to the appropriate people.

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Astor Gromley

Executive Assistant

Wishing Stone

Wishing Stone is a massive client, and they've been working with her family's company for years. And they want to follow her ? To her nothing little start-up company? Holy fucking Hades. She'll have to talk to them about costs as she doesn't have the capital that her parents do. But they want her. They want her.

She picks up her tea and takes a sip. "At least someone does."