Chapter 3
Jeremy seemed surprised by my words. He paused, then softened his tone, thinking I was backing down. “No need to fire you. Since your attitude seems sincere enough, let’s try a different punishment.
“Lilian said she can overlook your nasty remarks, but from now on, all your project commissions must go to her as emotional compensation.
“Now, hurry up and thank Lilian for this chance to mend your ways.
Their words made me laugh with anger.
They publicly humiliated me, yet somehow twisted it around to make it my fault.
Jeremy was a pro at this kind of manipulation.
Just like before, Lilian once clearly got the client proposal date wrong, but insisted I didn’t inform her.
Another time, she got drunk while entertaining a client and broke their phone, almost causing a complaint against us.
Yet Jeremy didn’t blame her; he publicly scolded me in front of the whole company for not “teaching her well.”
I had had enough of this.
So I replied indifferently, “Thank her for her kindness, but I’ll resign. It’s better for everyone.”
Without waiting for his response, I hung up.
My colleagues around me gave me curious, gossiping looks, but when I met their gaze, they quickly lowered their heads, pretending to be busy.
Then, an unknown number called.
“Hello, I’m from the Courthouse to do a final confirmation. Do you and Mr. Lewis need divorce mediation?”
“No, we don’t.”
“Okay, then please come to the Courthouse next weekday to get your divorce certificate.”
I hung up and took a deep breath.
This seven–year relationship was finally over.
***
After finishing my work, I wrote my resignation letter and handed it to HR.
Jeremy wasn’t in the office, so they’d have to process it for me.
I didn’t want to stay in that building a second longer.
As I passed the HR desk, I caught a glimpse of a decoration.
A gilded magnolia ornament, already coated in a thin layer of dust.
That magnolia was a souvenir Jeremy gave to everyone at the company seven years ago when we first got together.
He spent days picking it out, claiming it symbolized our love–pure and everlasting.
could still picture him holding my hand, smiling, and saying, “Rosie,
we’ll be like this magnolia, never wilting.”
But now, it sat dusty in a forgotten corner, much like our relationship, ultimately replaced by time and new people.
The HR staff member caught me looking at the ornament and snorted.
“Stop looking. It’s useless to stare at it; it’s not yours anymore.
“Your resignation is processed. You can go.”
snapped back to reality, forcing a smile, and said nothing.
Leaving the HR office, I went back to my desk to pack.
But I found my table covered in junk–waste paper, empty cans, snack bags–and all my personal items were tossed on the floor.
I looked around to see my colleagues looking at me with amused, expectant smiles.
They figured I was done with Jeremy, so they didn’t need to keep up appearances anymore after I left the company.
The indifference of human nature was laid bare at that moment.
Not wanting to give them the satisfaction, I simply swept all the junk off my desk onto the floor, dusted my hands, and walked away.
The moment I left the building, I contacted a real estate agent to list my current apartment for sale, then went to apply for a passport.
Seven years ago, I gave up my dream of traveling the world and stayed in this city for Jeremy.
Now that we were divorced, I could finally chase that dream again.
