Once The Bride He Discarded, Now The Love He Can't Forget

"I turned in my resignation earlier," Brynn answered.

"What?" The HR head froze for a moment. He seemed to stumble over whatever he meant to say. "Then... you..."

Brynn already knew the company expected a two-week transition once a resignation letter was filed.

She had never been the type to walk away from unfinished work. Since she had made up her mind to leave, she intended to finish every task required of her so no one else would be burdened.

That was why she added, "I'll return to the firm soon so I can take care of the handover."

"Alright. Alright. I'll wait for you at the office," the HR head replied with a relieved exhale.

When the call ended, Brynn drew in a steady breath.

Her apartment had been sold, and once she completed the transition, she would be free to go.

Even so, a faint ache still pulsed along the incision on her abdomen.

After taking a moment to steady herself, she flagged down a taxi and headed straight for the law firm.

Her presence seemed to lift the mood the instant she stepped inside.

"Brynn..."

"Brynn, you made it back..."

Several young assistants hurried toward Brynn, their voices bubbling with relief and excitement. Their bright expressions carried such sincere affection that it warmed her chest.

"I'm only here to finish the handover," Brynn said, cutting through their enthusiasm with a gentle smile as she addressed one of them. "I'll be assigning my ongoing cases to you."

"You're really leaving?" The assistants traded startled looks.

Brynn offered a calm smile and answered, "Yes."

......

While Richard was reviewing documents, Jerold burst into his office the moment he heard Brynn had returned.

"Brynn's back!" He wore a triumphant grin. "I knew she couldn't stay away from you. The second she heard you planned to fire her, she hurried right back!"

Richard fixed him with a flat stare. "You sound unusually idle. Should I let you handle a few of my cases?"

Jerold's grin vanished as he shook his head over and over.

Richard's cases were the ones everyone avoided. They were difficult, dangerous, and carried heavy responsibilities. Despite the high payout, Jerold knew he did not have the skill to take them on.

Just as Jerold turned toward the door, Richard said, "Have Brynn come in."

Jerold's smirk returned. "On it."

Across the office, Brynn was finishing her handover when she heard someone greet Jerold. She glanced up and found Jerold looking straight at her with that familiar mischievous smile.

"Brynn, Richard wants to see you in his office," he said.

Brynn rose from her seat.

Jerold matched her pace as they walked, leaning closer to whisper, "Let me tell you something. If you're dealing with someone as cold as Richard, you've got to stand your ground. Stop giving in to him so easily. Think about it. He even had the nerve to skip the wedding. You've let him get away with too much!"

Brynn placed her hand on the doorknob before glancing back at him. "Would you like to come in with me?"

"No, no." Jerold flailed his hands in refusal. "I wouldn't dare step inside. I know better than to poke that bear. You handle it."

Without waiting for her reply, he hurried off to his own office.

Brynn steadied herself with one breath, then pushed the door open.

Richard's office remained a place of severe order. The heavy wooden furniture and shelves filled with legal volumes created an atmosphere that pressed down on anyone who entered.

He sat behind the wide desk, focused on the papers in front of him.

"What can I do for you?" Brynn stood in front of him.

The coldness in her tone made Richard's pen stop mid-stroke. He lifted his gaze to her, a faint crease forming between his brows.

After a week had passed, her appearance had changed. The softness that once framed her face had faded away. She wore a plain white shirt with black trousers, which made her look even more slight than before.

"Have you been sick?" Richard's brows drew together. "Why have you lost so much weight?"

Even though her appendectomy had been a small procedure, it was still surgery. A week of slow recovery had taken six pounds from her frame.

"Was there something you needed?" Brynn steered clear of his questions and kept her tone strictly businesslike.

Richard's frown deepened, a strange discomfort rising in him. He had tried to show concern, yet she refused to soften even a little.

Yes, the ruined wedding had been his fault, but it had happened because a life had been at stake. Why had she grown so distant?

With that thought tightening his chest, he said coldly, "You've been gone for a week. Do you actually think I wouldn't fire you?"

Brynn kept her expression composed, her tone steady. "My resignation letter has already been submitted."

"I haven't approved of it."

"Based on labor regulations, you have no right to deny—"

"Brynn!" Richard cut her off, his tone sharp and rising without restraint.

Brynn's lashes quivered at the sound, and she pressed her lips together without offering another word. She turned her eyes away, refusing to engage further.

The room settled into a heavy stillness.

After a long moment, Richard spoke again coldly. "There's a meeting this afternoon. You'll attend with me..."

"Listen, I already told you..." Brynn repeated every word with quiet resolve. "I've resigned."

Richard's expression darkened instantly. "Are you finished with this nonsense?"

How could she truly walk away? How could she actually leave him? The thought seemed impossible to him.

From the day their paths crossed, she had clung to his side, enduring every cold look and harsh word he threw her way.

No matter how often he turned from her, she was always there when he looked back.

Because of that history, he believed more than anyone that she would never walk away from him. Resignation? The idea seemed absurd.

"Enough with this behavior! Are you actually convinced I won't sign off on your resignation?" Richard's voice dropped to a harsh, low rumble.

"I don't require your approval." Brynn lifted her gaze to meet his. "After I finish my handover, I'll be gone. And I'll have everything completed before the day ends."

Richard's face darkened like a gathering storm. Just as he opened his mouth to respond, a knock sounded at the door, and Jerold peeked inside. "Richard, we still need to—"

Before Jerold got another word out, Richard snatched the nearest folder and flung it toward the doorway. "Leave!"

The folder slammed onto the floor, papers flying across the entrance. Jerold vanished in an instant.

Brynn's brows tightened in a small frown.

Because Richard rarely showed much feeling, she had almost never witnessed him lose control. Even on the days when he was annoyed, the most he ever did was tighten his brows. Seeing him throw something was entirely new.

She shifted her gaze away, keeping her face composed. "As for the shares I hold in the company. You can cash them out for me based on the current market value..."

Before the rest of her words could leave her mouth, Richard rose sharply from his chair and closed the distance between them.

His height cast a heavy shadow over her. A cold edge flickered in his eyes, carrying a contempt that stung.

He delivered each word with deliberate force. "Brynn, if you walk out and resign, then you should never think about returning."