Chapter 15
Vivienne
I sat at my desk, the glow of the computer screen the only light in the office as the evening wore on. The weight of my fallout with Jason hung heavily in my chest, and the strain on my marriage felt insurmountable. I busied herself with work, pouring over reports, trying to drown out the chaos of my emotions. It was easier to be here, lost in deadlines, than to confront the truth waiting for me at home.
Earlier that day, I had my appointment with my divorce attorney. Even though my affair with Jason was over, my marriage with Robert had really been over for years. I was just too scared to start over. He was all I’d ever know. I knew this divorce wasn’t going to be easy, but I needed to do this. I’d lost myself a long time ago and it was time for me to start living for me. Sure, it sounded selfish, but if I wasn’t happy with me, how could I truly ever be happy?
That evening, while filing away papers, I inadvertently overheard Thomas and Jen in the break room. Their hushed tones wove a dark tapestry of betrayal as they plotted to leverage rumors about Jason’s alleged affair to edge him out of the company. I froze.
“I’m sure that married little tramp will soon be on her way out of the office soon.”
“Jen, lower your voice.”
“Robert, shut the hell up. You’re the one who cornered me in here. Besides, there’s barely anyone left on the office.”
“Look, Jen. If we approach the board and tell them that Jason is untrustworthy based on his affair with a married employee, they’ll begin to have doubts about his competency to continue to be the CEO.”
Jen scoffed, “Yeah, like that’ll ever happen. Jason and Lucas started this firm from the ground up. There’s no way in hell the board would vote Jason out.”
Part of me was gripped by both shock and anger; the other part felt a creeping dread. I was caught in an impossible dilemma—should I warn Jason and risk escalating a situation teetering on the brink, or should I prioritize my own safety and career?
As my thoughts spiraled, Jason’s struggles loomed in my mind. He had become a ghost in his own life, particularly to his sons. I recalled Jace’s piercing words from his last argument with his dad, accusations echoing in my ears: “You abandoned us! Just like you did after Mom died!” The pain in Jace’s voice was a mirror reflecting Jason’s own emotional detachment. It made my heart ache to think of the depths of Jason's suffering, yet I too felt trapped in the potential fallout.
I slowly backed away from the break room and returned to my office. With a trembling hand, I composed my resignation letter. Perhaps leaving the company would resolve some of the turmoil, allowing me to escape this spiral of hurt.
“Viv, you can do this. I have enough in savings to find a place to start over. Robert and I can figure out a way to split custody. Anthony is almost out of school and Alexander still has a few more years. I can do this.” Giving myself a pep talk was not working. I sighed felling more lost and alone than ever.
Packing up my desk was like packing away a piece of my heart. As I sorted through my belongings, my fingers brushed against a small sketch tucked between the pages of my planner. I unfolded it gently to reveal the charming drawing Jason had once made of me laughing, capturing a fleeting moment of joy. Tears streamed down my cheeks, mixing pain with nostalgia, remembering the love we once shared, followed by Jason’s betraying words that what we shared was only about sex.
After everything in my office was packed up, I hit send on the email that I composed to Jason, Lucas, and Sam. This was it. There was no turning back. I left my badge and office keys on my desk, grab my box and turned to exit my office.
As I stepped outside for what I believed was the last time, the night felt colder. I inhaled deeply, trying to embrace the finality of my choice.
◆◆◆
Jason
I sat alone in my darkened apartment. A half-empty bottle of whiskey lingered on the table, forgotten amid the shadows. I wept for the love I had lost, for the family fractured by distance, and for the man I had become, while building walls instead of bridges. I was lost in my grief and regrets, I was grappling with heartache as I faced an uncertain future alone.
I stared at Vivienne’s email for what seemed like hours. I definitely fucked up and now she was gone. I wouldn’t even be able to steal glances of her in the office.
To Whom It May Concern,
Let me start by saying that it has been an immense joy to work at Blackwood Architects. I have learned so much from Mr. Blackwood and Mr. Christenson. They have helped me grow in my career in more ways than one.
However, with that being said; I regret to inform you that I am resigning my position effective immediately.
I send my sincerest apologies for not giving a more timely notice. I feel it is in the best interest for everyone involved if I am no longer employed by this firm.
I wish you all the best and I hope that Blackwood Architects continues to excel in all aspects of the business.
Sincerely,
Vivienne Sinclair