The next day, the secretary's Instagram post featured Ethan's silhouette once again.
This time, it was a sarcastic rant.
[Got gossiped about yesterday. So annoyed. Ethan and I have a perfectly normal boss-employee relationship, but some people just can't seem to understand that. Whatever.]
[My amazing boss took me shopping. No one has ever cared for me like this before. So happy! I'm definitely going to cling to him forever, no matter what!]
I exited the page without leaving a trace. As I prepared to take more leave, I received a message from Jane.
[Emma, thanks for looking out for me all this time. I'm leaving.]
A sinking feeling hit me. The work group chat then lit up with a message announcing Jane's termination.
I called Ethan.
The background noise on his end was chaotic as he snapped at me impatiently.
"My company doesn't tolerate gossipy employees. Besides, I gave her severance pay when I fired her. What more does she want?!"
He hung up.
Jane was an old colleague we'd built the company with over the years, but she couldn't compete with a few words from the secretary.
I couldn't help feeling disappointed, though I'd grown accustomed to his letdowns.
I called a familiar company and recommended Jane.
After a brief text exchange with her, I returned to packing my things.
I hung the branded clothes I had to sell as secondhand. The ones that wouldn't sell, I just tossed.
The pajamas Sophie had worn went straight into the trash.
When I was done, I had only one suitcase left.
As soon as I wheeled it out, Ethan returned, eyeing the luggage with surprise.
"You're leaving?"
I went along with his assumption, "Going on a business trip in a couple of days."
He nodded, unsuspecting.
"Good timing. Sophie's old rental is up soon. I'll have her stay here for a few days."
"She's stayed before, so you shouldn't mind, right?"
This man was truly fake. He'd already made his decision but still pretended to ask for my permission.
If I disagreed, he'd use that word against me again to put me down.
"Sure, let her stay," I said flatly.
"But the guest room is dark, not ideal for her. She can take the master bedroom. I'll tidy it up for her."
He seemed taken aback that I agreed so readily, his tone losing its self-righteousness.
"Okay, I'll stay in the guest room then."
"When are you leaving? I'll drive you."
I shook my head.
"It's fine. I already arranged a ride. Canceling would be a hassle. I'll go by myself."