lde

idn't have much to pack. A small suitcase held my clothes, a backpack my laptop and a few sentimental items. The silver eng

ge and imposing under a sky as gray as my mood. I stepped out of the cab, the

the air. As I approached the HR desk, I saw her. Haylie White. She was leaning against the cubicle wall of a junior manager, her laug

ce,' our diligent junior analyst. What brings you to the hallowed halls of HR? Not thinking of abandoning ship so soon, are we?" Her

the signed resignation letter across the counter to the HR assistant, who

t you? Ben was so proud of your 'contributions'." Her gaze swept over me, a condescending smirk on her face. "Though, honestly, I alway

fuse the situation. "Ms. Pierce, we usually require two wee

n Haylie. "I require my resignat

solde. Don't be so dramatic. You' ll find another entry-level job somewhere. It' s not the end of the world." She lowered her voice, a venomous whisper. "Unless, of cour

. Always clinging to him. He preferred a woman who knew what she wanted, and wasn't afraid to take it." With a sly movement, she tugged at

ent scream trapped in my throat. I forced myself to meet her gaze, a cold, empty

files, his head held high. "Good morning, everyone! What a glorious day for Apex Corp, wouldn't you say, Haylie?" He paused, h

passively at the HR desk, my resignation letter in full view. His confident strid

king, the bravado evaporating. He looked from me to Haylie,

etraying nothing. I watched his face crumple, t

d, his eyes pleading, despera

Leaving the 'stepping stones' behind." My words were a double-edged sword, cutting through his pretense, exposing his hypo