Chapter 36
Alexander
Monday Morning
The moment I open my inbox, the world tilts.
Subject: Formal Resignation – Evelyn
My pulse stops. Then hammers. I click it open with a hand that suddenly doesn’t feel like mine. The message is ice. Polished. Professional. Soulless.
Dear Mr. Hunt,
I hereby resign from my position at Blackstone Enterprises effective immediately. A new opportunity has presented itself in another city, and I will be relocating this weekend. Thank you for everything I’ve learned while working under your leadership.
Best regards,
Evelyn Hart
Best regards.
I stare at the screen, unable to breathe. That’s not Evelyn’s voice. That’s not her cadence. That’s not the girl who moans when she laughs and whispers my name like it hurts. This isn’t a goodbye. This is a severance. Clean. Sharp. Surgical.
It's not real. I dial her number. Straight to voicemail. I try again. Nothing. My jaw locks so hard it aches. I type out a message.
Where are you? This isn’t funny. Call me.
Delivered.
Then… nothing. No read receipt. No dots. My stomach drops. She didn’t just ignore me. She blocked me. Or someone did.
Rage coils through me, slow and lethal. I grab my coat. “Cancel my morning,” I bark at Lewis as I pass. “Don’t ask why.” He nods, wide-eyed. I don’t stop long enough to care.