Chapter 3

Jaiden studied my face, searching for disappointment, grievance, or rage. When he didn't find what he was looking for, he seemed almost bored.

So this was how it ended. I felt a bittersweet feeling welling up inside me. After ten years of grinding away at this company, I was saying goodbye in the only way possible.

Jaiden shrugged, smirking playfully.

"I just mentioned it to Helena, and she jumped at the chance to fire you. Didn't you say you were just after her money? Well, don't expect a dime from me," he said.

I glanced back at my coworkers. Their faces were sour, and a few looked ready to confront Jaiden.

I shook my head gently, telling them to stay calm. I wanted to see what these two were really up to.

Just then, Helena walked over with a frosty look. She came to stand next to Jaiden, folded her arms, and stared straight at me.

"You just had surgery, so I'm giving you some time off to recover. Jaiden will be helping out while you're gone," she said.

I let out a laugh. Seriously? Jaiden running the company? That was hilarious.

Helena noticed the sarcasm and shot Jaiden a look, her eyes all soft and dreamy, like he was some kind of superstar.

Then she turned to me with a frosty glare and said, "Don't think you're that important. The company will do just fine without you. Stop overestimating yourself."

I tilted my head, staring at Helena. It was obvious she was just trying to get back at me. All because I refused to apologize to Jaiden, she was ready to gamble the company's future just to spite me?

Alright, you won.

Whatever. The divorce was happening anyway. Just did whatever you wanted to.

I forced myself to stay calm, swallowing the pain in my stomach and the fury burning inside me. "Helena, did your mom sign off on this?" I asked.

Helena's eyes flickered, and she let out a cold snort.

"Yeah, she knows. She's totally fine with it. Ever since you came on board, everyone acts like you're the one in charge. Who even remembers I'm the actual boss? You just wanted to grab the White family's assets, am I right?" she said.

Jaiden jumped in, backing her up.

He said, "That's exactly what he's like. He told me himself he was only after your money."

Helena was acting like a brat, so immature and laughable.

Ten years ago, when I first joined the company, her mom, Grace White, kept reminding me over and over to help Helena.

But now that I had actually made something of myself, she just kicked me to the curb.

Whatever, I would get out of their way.

There was only a month left on my contract. Once I got paid, I cut all ties with the White family.

I nodded and said, "Fine, I'm done. If the company crashes and burns, don't even think about dragging me back."

Helena said coolly, completely unfazed by the whole scene, "Who do you think you are? You're just a worker for the Whites. This is my company, and I do whatever I want; you have no say here."

Jaiden threw shade from the sidelines, saying, "Better pack up and get lost, or you'll miss the city bus. Oh, and the company's taking your car, too, so I hope you've got some spare change; otherwise, guess you'll be stuck walking home."

Helena looked at my pale face, her eyes flickering down to my stomach, her gaze complicated. "You've put in years for the company, so the car's yours now. Go home and take it easy," she said.

I gave a bitter laugh and waved her off. If I were out, I would be out for good; I didn't want a single thing from this place.

I crouched down to gather the shattered pieces of my cup set when Jaiden suddenly stepped right on my hand. He arched his brow in mock surprise, pretending it was an accident.

"Oops, sorry. Didn't mean to," Jaiden said, his voice thick with sarcasm.

I rose to my feet, blood trickling from my hand, then kicked the broken cup, sending the shards flying across the floor.

Helena flinched, pressing her lips together, her eyes flickering with conflicted emotions.

With that, I placed the car keys on the desk and left without another word, my steps slow and deliberate.

My coworkers watched me go, their eyes full of helplessness and pity.