Ten Years Later, Still Falling - Chapter 14: Chapter 14
You are reading Ten Years Later, Still Falling, Chapter 14: Chapter 14. Read more chapters of Ten Years Later, Still Falling.
I took her with me as we filed the police report together.
After wrapping everything up, Emma texted me that Edward had finally woken up.
When I reached his room, I found him slowly sipping soup, his pale face framed by soft hair falling across his forehead. Gone was the put-together professional - he looked more like a vulnerable college freshman, his usual sharp edges softened by exhaustion.
The second I walked in, I grabbed the bowl and spoon from his hands. "Are you trying to kill yourself?" I snapped, rolling my eyes. "Pushing yourself like this? If you were feeling this awful, you should've called me to keep you company."
Edward looked like he wanted to laugh, but it turned into a coughing fit instead.
I brought him up to speed on everything, ending with, "I'm putting in my resignation."
"What?" Edward froze, soup spoon halfway to his mouth. "Why?"
I fed him another spoonful before answering. "I've been at this company since graduation - six years straight. The pressure's too much. I need to take a real break."
He swallowed carefully, forehead creasing. "You're sure about this?"
"Completely."
"If that's your decision after thinking it through, I've got your back. Just make sure you have a game plan." After a beat, he added, "You don't actually have another job lined up, do you?"
"Nope."
"Then..." A faint smile tugged at his lips. "On behalf of Sincere Holdings, I'd like to formally invite you to join our team."
Seeing my confusion, he gave a dry chuckle. "My mom's company. Now that she's gone, the reins fall to me."
Almost like he thought I'd refuse immediately, he rushed to add, "No rush - take all the time you need to relax first."
I shot him a look. "We'll see."
That old high school phrase of mine made us both laugh.
I didn't waste time - my resignation went in that week, and a month later, I walked out for good.
Edward resigned soon after too, still technically in his probation period.
As for Liam? Once that intern went to the police, they hauled him in immediately. During the investigation, the company uncovered even more dirt from the files I'd provided. With that mountain of evidence against him, he'd be lucky to ever see daylight again.
But honestly? I couldn't care less.
Because right then, I was buckled into a plane seat, adventure-bound.
Just before takeoff, I powered down my phone - but not before Edward's message came through:
"Coal and I will be here when you get back."
My reply was simple: "Okay."
As we climbed through the clouds, I lifted the window shade. Sunlight streamed through cottony clouds against an endless blue sky, so bright it almost hurt to look at.
"Whatever comes next," I thought, leaning back, "right now? This is enough."
[The End]
After wrapping everything up, Emma texted me that Edward had finally woken up.
When I reached his room, I found him slowly sipping soup, his pale face framed by soft hair falling across his forehead. Gone was the put-together professional - he looked more like a vulnerable college freshman, his usual sharp edges softened by exhaustion.
The second I walked in, I grabbed the bowl and spoon from his hands. "Are you trying to kill yourself?" I snapped, rolling my eyes. "Pushing yourself like this? If you were feeling this awful, you should've called me to keep you company."
Edward looked like he wanted to laugh, but it turned into a coughing fit instead.
I brought him up to speed on everything, ending with, "I'm putting in my resignation."
"What?" Edward froze, soup spoon halfway to his mouth. "Why?"
I fed him another spoonful before answering. "I've been at this company since graduation - six years straight. The pressure's too much. I need to take a real break."
He swallowed carefully, forehead creasing. "You're sure about this?"
"Completely."
"If that's your decision after thinking it through, I've got your back. Just make sure you have a game plan." After a beat, he added, "You don't actually have another job lined up, do you?"
"Nope."
"Then..." A faint smile tugged at his lips. "On behalf of Sincere Holdings, I'd like to formally invite you to join our team."
Seeing my confusion, he gave a dry chuckle. "My mom's company. Now that she's gone, the reins fall to me."
Almost like he thought I'd refuse immediately, he rushed to add, "No rush - take all the time you need to relax first."
I shot him a look. "We'll see."
That old high school phrase of mine made us both laugh.
I didn't waste time - my resignation went in that week, and a month later, I walked out for good.
Edward resigned soon after too, still technically in his probation period.
As for Liam? Once that intern went to the police, they hauled him in immediately. During the investigation, the company uncovered even more dirt from the files I'd provided. With that mountain of evidence against him, he'd be lucky to ever see daylight again.
But honestly? I couldn't care less.
Because right then, I was buckled into a plane seat, adventure-bound.
Just before takeoff, I powered down my phone - but not before Edward's message came through:
"Coal and I will be here when you get back."
My reply was simple: "Okay."
As we climbed through the clouds, I lifted the window shade. Sunlight streamed through cottony clouds against an endless blue sky, so bright it almost hurt to look at.
"Whatever comes next," I thought, leaning back, "right now? This is enough."
[The End]
End of Ten Years Later, Still Falling Chapter 14. View all chapters or return to Ten Years Later, Still Falling book page.