Chapter 3
Too bad.
I’d been hoping to wring a little more severance
DUT
of this mess.
But in the end, I had no choice but to resign on my own.
Micah Carter’s fiancée had become a hot topic around the office lately. Word was, she came from a powerful family in Eldenridge granddaughter of a political heavyweight, parents loaded.
She had both pedigree and a temper.
The moment the engagement was official, she insisted Micah let go of all his female aides.
Micah had two chief secretaries–one male, one female. The woman, sharp as a whip, got to stay.
As for the rest of us–me, the executive secretaries, and the basic personal assistants? Not so lucky.
Even if we weren’t fired outright, staying meant walking on eggshells. One wrong look and we’d be branded as trying to seduce the boss. Back at my desk, I ran into a few colleagues from other departments dropping by for a stamp.
They spotted me and offered sympathetic looks.
“When are you leaving, Olivia? Let’s get dinner before you go.”
I pulled out my chair and slumped forward on the desk.
“Earliest next month. Gotta go through the process.”
“Process? I thought if you’re getting canned, it’s straight out the door.”
“I’m resigning.” I replied “Micah won’t fire me himself. Anyone got a resignation template to send over?”
[Thank you for the opportunity
Due to personal reasons…
I hereby resign.]
Click Sent
I pushed away the keyboard and exhaled slowly.
Micah’s offhand comment echoed again in my head:
“If he kept the kid, he must’ve really loved the woman.”
Did Ethan really love me?
Back in Eldenridge, I’d lived in the kind of apartment complex that took in everyone–first stop for new arrivals, a mix of dreamers and dritters
That’s where I had my first real scare.
My first time being followed.
My first break–in.
hadn’t been sleeping well. My phone buzzed, waking me up.
The peephole camera was flashing a warning
A man lingered outside too long–face covered, gloves on, hood pulled low. Broad workwear masked his build. He was picking the lock -fast, smooth, like he’d done it before. Now and then, he glanced behind him and quietly joked with an accomplice.
GoodShort
Gama
37.50%
I froze in the living room, then darted to the kitchen for a knife. Ran back to the bedroom, locked myself in, eyes on the monitor,
Then I called Ethan.
His voice came through, hoarse, groggy.
“What’s wrong?”
“Someone’s trying to break in.”
He paused for just a second.
Then came the rustle of fabric as he sat up.
He sounded fully awake. “How many people? Are they armed?”
“I saw two… no weapons I could see, but I’m not sure.”
“Don’t cry,” he said, calm now. “Lock the door. Stay put.”
The feed went black.
A soft creak from the living room.
Footsteps. Getting closer.
They started pushing the bedroom door.
I clutched the knife, heart hammering. Could barely stay upright. My hands were sweating, slipping.
Then–chaos.
Heavy thuds. Shouts. Glass shattering Furniture crashing
“Ethan?” I called out.
“I’m bere.” His voice was rough, winded. “Don’t come out yet.”
I sat trembling at the edge of the bed, wiping sweat from my brow.
A knock
I moved the heavy dresser away from the door.
The living room was a wreck
One of the intruders lay sprawled on the floor, barely conscious, being dragged by the ankle toward the hallway like a sack of meat. Ethan wiped blood off his knuckles and pulled me close.
His coat carried the chill of winter and the faint scent of tobacco.
He held me tightly. Pressed a kiss to the top of
my head.
One of his men coughed awkwardly nearby.
“Uh… boss? What do we do with them?”
“Check their records,” Ethan said flatly. “If they’ve got priors, make sure they stay in prison a long time.”
He kept his hand on the back of my head as he spoke.
I mumbled into his chest. “Your friends? Coming all this way at night… I owe them dinner.‘
“It’s fine,” he said. “Get some rest. I’m staying tonight.”
Chapter 3
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The cops showed up.
Ethan lit a cigarette and quietly ushered me back into the bedroom.
The conversation outside didn’t last long.
Later, he climbed into bed behind me, arms
e, arms wrapping tight around my waist.
I was still shaking.
“You’re safe now,” he whispered. “No one’s getting in again.”
Kturned and kissed him, breath hitching
Ethan froze, caught off guard
He was usually quick, assertive.
I was used to him undoing his belt, pressing my head down, taking what he wanted.
But that night, he was gentle. Cradled my hands behind his neck. Kissed me slow.
Outside, tall winds howled.
His body burned with heat.
When he cupped my face in his palm, I actually felt loved. But love, once chewed too many times, turns dry and tasteless–like spent sugarcane, stringy and bitter.
When we sat across from each other at the Carter estate, talking terms like strangers, I couldn’t keep lying to myself.
If Ethan ever loved me, it was like a man loving a beautiful pet–too precious to share, but not worth holding close.
That was it
Friday. End of the workweek.
My resignation was in. I wouldn’t get an official response until Monday.
I tidied up my desk, slowly erasing any trace of myself.
I didn’t expect Micah to call Sunday night.
He must’ve just landed, Airport noise buzzed faintly behind him.
“Olivia, what exactly is this ‘personal reason‘ in your resignation?”
“I’m twenty–nine, Micah. It’s time I got married.”
A pause.
“You’re not quitting because I tried to set you up with my brother, are you?”
“No,” I said. “I’ve actually met someone. It was already in the plan”
“What’s his background?”
“Not much. He’s a physics professor.”
“Alright. Fair enough. Do your best for the last thirty days. I’ll add a bonus–consider it a wedding gift.”
“Thank you, Mr. Carter ”
“One more thing”
He hesitated.
Chapter:
Goods.
“Pick out something for a little girl. You’re coming back to Eldenridge with me Friday.
Little girl.
It took me a second.
Understood, Mr. Carter.”
It was my first time stepping into the Carter family’s main estate.
The sitting room buzzed with laughter. Servants moved smoothly, refilling tea trays..
Mfollowed Micah inside, gift box in hand.
Every head turned.
His fiancée’s glare could’ve cut glass.
“And she is…?” Miss Tang asked, lips curled in a polite sneer
Micah plopped down beside the family matriarch.
“Just my assistant. I asked her to pick out a gift for Chloe. She’s just here to drop it off.”
The tension eased slightly.
I nodded politely and handed the box to a servant. “I’ll be heading out now,”
He waved me off casually.
I turned to leave–only to meet the eyes of a little girl at the top of the stairs.
Five or six, wearing a burgundy plaid cloak dress, hopping down the circular staircase.
A man followed behind her–sleeves rolled to the elbow, a pair of sleeve garters hugging his forearms, collar unbuttoned. His head slightly bowed.
Two fingers gently tugged her collar as she wobbled too close to the edge.
Something in me flinched.
She locked eyes with me and bolted.
From the sofa, the old woman laughed and opened her arms.
“Come here, Chloe. Come to Grandma.”
I couldn’t take my eyes off her.
Chloe Carter.
Her name meant precious stone
And she was mine.
1 looked away, forcing my face into something neutral, ready to leave
But she wrapped her arms around my leg.
Her little hands were warm. Clung like a soft, heavy pendant.
She looked up at me, eyes unwavering, and called out–clear, firm; “Mommy.”
And the room fell into stunned silence.
Cloper
