Your Company, Not My Life

Not long ago, Derrick and Molly turned a business trip into a vacation. While they were off playing house, I slipped in my resignation. Derrick was too distracted to notice—he approved it without even reading.

Three more days.

Once the handover's done, I'm out.

I paused, then called Prof. Harrington, my old research supervisor, now overseas at a top institute.

Back when I graduated, I landed a high-tier spot there straight out the gate. But Derrick said he needed help starting his company, and like an idiot, I dropped everything and ran back to Arlencia. Prof. Harrington told me not to. I didn't listen.

Looking back now... yeah, I was dumb.

Feelings? They shift. Career? That never stabs you in the back.

When the call went through, I explained why I was reaching out. I braced for a lecture. Instead, Prof. Harrington sighed.

"I already heard... was thinking about asking you to come back. But this time... are you actually sure?"

"I'm sure. The resignation's done."

"Resignation? What resignation?"

The voice didn't come from the phone.

I turned.

Derrick stood in the doorway.

***

The call had ended.

I locked my phone without a word.

While I was still trying to figure out what to say, his phone buzzed. Molly again. She'd found a stray kitten and stopped to buy it a sausage.

"So cute," Derrick said in a voice message.

She shot back right away: "The kitten's cute, or I'm cute?"

Then came a selfie—her holding the kitten, pouting with a peace sign.

Derrick smiled. "The kitten's cute, but you're cuter."

Then, like suddenly remembering I existed, his face shut down. He turned to me, all cold.

"Didn't I tell you to get some rest? Why are you still up?"

The tone shift was whiplash. Nothing like how he talked to her.

And he'd already forgotten I said I resigned.

I gave a faint smile. "Just wrapping up a few things."

He frowned deeper. "It's late. What's even left? You seriously need to manage your time better, Yara. This procrastination thing is getting out of hand."

I didn't bother saying it was his constant last-minute crap that caused it. No arguing. No justifying. I stayed quiet.

He didn't push. Just walked off to the bedroom.

A minute later, I heard him laughing. Like, actually laughing.

Hadn't heard that sound in forever. He only laughed like that with Molly.

I tuned it out, sat at my desk, and pulled out some research journals I hadn't finished.

The institute had changed a lot in five years. Even with Prof. Harrington backing me, I'd have to prove I still had it.

Good thing my foundation was solid. I'd catch up fast.

"You're reading research journals?"

I hadn't even heard him come back in.

He picked one up, flipped through it, then tossed it back with a smirk. "Why are you reading this stuff? Do you even get it?"

I stacked the papers. "Just browsing."