Chapter 7 - Ambrose on His Knees
The autumn leaves were turning gold along the edge of Central Park when Ambrose finally managed to see me. It was not in a boardroom, and it was not in a court chamber. It was on a quiet path near the Conservatory Garden, where I walked every afternoon under the careful watch of two private security guards who kept twenty paces behind me.
He looked completely unrecognizable.
The sharp, bespoke suits were gone. He wore an ordinary wool overcoat, his hair was unstyled, and dark, bruised hollows sat beneath his eyes. He had lost at least fifteen pounds in three weeks. When he saw me walking slowly toward the fountain, he didn't swagger, and he didn't shout. He stood by the stone balustrade, waiting like a beggar waiting for an audience with royalty.
""Jackie,"" he said, his voice hoarse.
The security guards moved forward, but I raised a single hand, signaling them to hold their positions.
""You have five minutes, Ambrose,"" I said, stopping several feet away. ""What do you want?""
He swallowed hard, looking down at the pavement before slowly lifting his eyes to meet mine. ""I came to apologize.""
""Apologies don't change filings.""
""I know,"" he choked out. He took a ragged breath, and to my astonishment, the proud, untouchable billionaire dropped to his knees on the cold stone walkway. Passing joggers glanced over, but Ambrose didn't even notice them. The pride that had been his armor for thirty-eight years had completely evaporated.
""I ruined everything,"" he said, tears running freely down his hollow cheeks. ""I lost the company. I lost my reputation. My friends won't return my calls. My own mother blames me for the disgrace. But none of that... none of that compares to waking up and knowing that I threw away the only woman who ever loved me for who I was, and not for what I owned.""
I looked down at him, feeling the cool October breeze ruffle the edges of my scarf. There was no joy in seeing him like this. Only the sobering reality of consequences.
""You didn't love me, Ambrose,"" I said softly. ""You loved having a possession that didn't demand accountability. You loved having a home you could return to after indulging your darkest impulses, knowing I would be waiting by the window with a smile and a warm dinner.""
""I will do whatever you want,"" he begged, reaching out toward the hem of my coat, though he pulled back before making contact. ""I will sign over the remaining equity. I will step down permanently from every board. I will go to therapy. Just... please don't take my son away from me. Don't let him grow up thinking his father was a monster.""
""You aren't a monster, Ambrose,"" I said, shaking my head slowly. ""You're just a weak man who had too much money and zero integrity. That doesn't make you mythical. It just makes you ordinary.""
He bowed his head, his shoulders shaking with silent sobs.
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""You won't be erased from his life,"" I continued, my voice firm but devoid of malice. ""He will know who you are. But you will earn your place in his world. You will not buy his love with trust funds, and you will not impress him with private jets. If you want to be a father, you will start from the bottom, just like every other ordinary person.""
I stepped around him and continued my walk along the stone path, leaving him kneeling on the fallen leaves behind me.
