After the Love Fades, I Love You In the Fog

The next day, the secretary's Instagram post featured Ethan's silhouette once again.

This time, it was a sarcastic rant.

[Got gossiped about yesterday. So annoyed. Ethan and I have a perfectly normal boss-employee relationship, but some people just can't seem to understand that. Whatever.]

[My amazing boss took me shopping. No one has ever cared for me like this before. So happy! I'm definitely going to cling to him forever, no matter what!]

I exited the page without leaving a trace. As I prepared to take more leave, I received a message from Jane.

[Emma, thanks for looking out for me all this time. I'm leaving.]

A sinking feeling hit me. The work group chat then lit up with a message announcing Jane's termination.

I called Ethan.

The background noise on his end was chaotic as he snapped at me impatiently.

"My company doesn't tolerate gossipy employees. Besides, I gave her severance pay when I fired her. What more does she want?!"

He hung up.

Jane was an old colleague we'd built the company with over the years, but she couldn't compete with a few words from the secretary.

I couldn't help feeling disappointed, though I'd grown accustomed to his letdowns.

I called a familiar company and recommended Jane.

After a brief text exchange with her, I returned to packing my things.

I hung the branded clothes I had to sell as secondhand. The ones that wouldn't sell, I just tossed.

The pajamas Sophie had worn went straight into the trash.

When I was done, I had only one suitcase left.

As soon as I wheeled it out, Ethan returned, eyeing the luggage with surprise.

"You're leaving?"

I went along with his assumption, "Going on a business trip in a couple of days."

He nodded, unsuspecting.

"Good timing. Sophie's old rental is up soon. I'll have her stay here for a few days."

"She's stayed before, so you shouldn't mind, right?"

This man was truly fake. He'd already made his decision but still pretended to ask for my permission.

If I disagreed, he'd use that word against me again to put me down.

"Sure, let her stay," I said flatly.

"But the guest room is dark, not ideal for her. She can take the master bedroom. I'll tidy it up for her."

He seemed taken aback that I agreed so readily, his tone losing its self-righteousness.

"Okay, I'll stay in the guest room then."

"When are you leaving? I'll drive you."

I shook my head.

"It's fine. I already arranged a ride. Canceling would be a hassle. I'll go by myself."

Ethan's eyes narrowed with puzzlement, as if he was thinking of something. His puzzlement then morphed into irritation.

"Are you sulking at me because of Jane?"

"Don't you know a company's core is unity?"

"I fired her for my own reasons, not just because of Sophie..."

I looked at him in bewilderment.

"Why are you explaining to me?"

"I don't mind. The company is yours to run. You decide who stays and who goes. You said you gave her severance."

I stifled a yawn and wheeled my suitcase towards the door.

I'd go to the office today, tie up loose ends, and make a clean break.

He got up and grabbed my arm.

I was getting impatient. "What now?"

"Emma, I remember giving you a key to the ocean-view apartment. Sophie has a classmates' reunion coming up. I've decided to let her stay there..."