“Amanda,” she said coldly. “Your contract is terminated effective immediately.”
Amanda stared at her.
“You can’t fire me.”
“We already have.”
Then she turned to Ryan.
“You’re suspended pending termination. Turn in your badge.”
A security guard stepped forward.
Ryan went silent.
For a moment, no one moved.
Then I stepped closer.
“I’m going home,” I told him.
“We need to talk,” he said weakly.
“We will,” I replied. “Through lawyers.”
I walked out without looking back.
When I returned home, the kids ran to hug me.
Emma held on the longest.
“Is Daddy coming back?” she asked.
I kissed her forehead.
“Not today, baby.”
“Tomorrow?”
I took a breath.
“Maybe not for a while,” I said gently. “But I’m here.”
For the first time in years, I realized something important.
He had chosen himself.
And now, finally, I was choosing myself—and my children too.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
