“I won’t,” I said simply.
I had built this company from the ground up. And yet—every face in the room watched me go as if they were finally rid of a curse.
Without taking so much as a pen, I walked out through the front doors, not once looking back.
On the way down, I sent my assistant the message I hadn’t had the chance to send earlier.
[Pull out the investment. Effective immediately.]
Then, without hesitation, I headed straight to the airport. Cradling my child’s urn, I boarded a plane home.
Meanwhile, everyone in Dorance Industries must be cheering, “Good riddance to that bossy bitch! From now on, Thalia will be the CEO’s wife!”
Inside those walls, they’d be celebrating. Cortland would be lifting Thalia’s hand like a trophy, his face alight with triumph.
“From now on,” he’d declare, “Dorance Industries begins a brand-new chapter. We’ll lead the company to new heights!”
Finally, he wouldn’t have to put up with me anymore. No more trailing after me like some useless tagalong.
I could almost hear the thunderous applause—whistles, cheers, and praises like “A perfect couple!” and “A match made in heaven!”
In their minds, I was gone for good, my exit nothing more than the punchline to a joke.