Chapter Five

Because I'd failed to get the director promotion,

at my old level, my resignation didn't need to go anywhere near Victor's desk for approval.

I just went through HR's standard process, and everything was taken care of.

When I was about to leave, Catherine, the HR director, gave me a big hug.

I managed a relieved little smile and hugged her back.

"Catherine, thank you so much for looking out for me all these years. I hope everything goes well for you here at Summit."

Before I left, I earnestly asked her not to tell anyone I was leaving until I'd finished handing over the rest of my work.

She was the only person at the company who had a vague idea about Victor and me.

She understood my worries and my embarrassment, and she readily agreed.

When I got back to my apartment after work, I got a call from my grandma back in Texas.

"Sweetheart, did you get that promotion?"

"Didn't you promise Grandma you'd call me first thing if you got it?"

At the sound of that warm, familiar voice, my nose stung, and I was swept under by a wave of vulnerability so huge that I stumbled over my words.

"Grandma, I... I don't want to stay in New York anymore."

There was only one second of silence on the other end of the line.

"That's wonderful. Honestly, I've been worried sick these past few years, with you working so hard all the way out there on the East Coast all on your own."

"I've been wanting my sweetheart to come home and keep me company for a long time."

"When do you think you'll come? I'll get the ranch ready and make your favorite Texas barbecue, and the blueberry cheesecake you've loved since you were little..."

Listening to her chattering away on the other end, something in my heart was deeply moved. The tears spilled over, and I covered my mouth, choking back sobs.

I knew the old lady was finding her own way to comfort me.

Because more than once, she'd bragged to her neighbors in that little town that her granddaughter worked in an office in the fanciest skyscraper in Manhattan.

I'd had it all planned out. As soon as I got that promotion and my salary doubled, I was going to bring Grandma from Texas to New York.

I'd grit my teeth and work hard for a few more years, and maybe I could put a down payment on a little house on Long Island, and Grandma and I could have a home of our very own in this city.

I'd imagined the future so beautifully.

But reality always slaps you so cold and so cruel.