Chapter 14 The Resignation Letter
A sudden knock shattered the quiet.
+8 Pearls
Shane looked toward the door as Nora slowly stepped inside. The moment she reached him, she collapsed straight into his arms.
“Shane, I think I twisted my back… It hurts so bad…”
Shane instinctively placed a hand around her waist, his tone laced with worry. “Is it serious?”
Nora’s gaze slid past his shoulder–straight to the desk.
There, on top of the polished wood, lay two papers. The bold heading “Resignation Letter” landed squarely in her sight.
“It really hurts. I think I need to go to the hospital,” she said, voice intentionally lowered to sound fragile.
“Alright, I’ll take you.”
Nora’s lips lifted in a faint, satisfied smile.
She hadn’t missed the letter. It had to be from Sarah. The timing couldn’t have been better.
Meanwhile, Sarah had already arrived at the apartment Mr. Clark had arranged.
Garden Compound.
It was one of the more upscale neighborhoods in Astrovia–central, convenient, and tastefully furnished. Everything matched the pictures she’d seen online perfectly. Just her style.
She’d stay here for twenty–six days.
Not a long time on paper, but alone, it could feel like forever.
After unpacking, it was already evening. She wasn’t in the mood to eat much–so much had happened lately. All she craved was a simple cup of instant noodles.
She grabbed her keys and headed out.
But when she came back with her noodles and walked into the stairwell–she froze.
Grayson.
He was just ahead of her.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
He looked her up and down, eyes narrowing slightly. “I live here. What about you?”
“I’moved out. I’m staying here temporarily.”
Moved out?” His face darkened. “Things with Shane escalated that badly?”
Sarah gave a small smile. “Not really. I just… got clarity.”
Chapter 14 The Resignation Letter
+8 Pearls
“Clarity?” His gaze dropped to the noodles in her hand. Then rose again. “So he kicked you out and didn’t give you a cent?”
“Just trying to experience life a little,” Sarah said, winking lightly. “But it does mean I might be late paying back what I owe you, Mr. Grayson.”
Grayson frowned. His voice dipped. “Didn’t you just get out of the hospital a few days ago?”
Sarah blinked.
She hadn’t expected that. She thought he’d be reminding her about the money.
Instead, he remembered… that.
She smiled. “I just don’t have much appetite. This was all I felt like eating.”
The elevator dinged open.
Grayson stepped inside first. Sarah followed.
“Which floor?”
“Sixteen. Thanks.”
There was a flicker of something on his face as she answered.
Sarah noticed. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
The rest of the ride was silent.
When the doors opened on sixteen, Sarah walked out–only to watch Grayson stop at the door directly across from hers.
Her eyes widened.
“You live across the hall?”
Grayson didn’t say much. Just unlocked his door.
Sarah’s memory jolted.
So she’d rented Grayson’s unit.
– “I… rented your apartment?”
“Mm.” He didn’t comment further. Instead, he changed the subject. “Instant noodles aren’t good for you. Especially not in your condition.”
Before she could reply, he stepped inside and closed the door.
Back in her own apartment, Sarah stared at the cup noodles… then shoved them into a cabinet.
She wasn’t that hungry anyway.
Half an hour later, she was getting ready to shower when someone knocked.
Chapter 14 The Resignation Letter
+8 Pearls
“Who is it?” she called.
A man’s voice answered: “Delivery from the restaurant next door.”
She frowned. “I didn’t order anything.”
The man held out a bag. “A Mr. Grayson placed the order and asked that I bring it to you personally.”
Sarah blinked in surprise. “Grayson?”
“Yes, miss.”
She glanced toward the door across the hall. Still shut tight.
Taking the food, she whispered, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
After the man left, she crossed the hall and knocked on Grayson’s door.
No response.
He must’ve gone out, she guessed.
Back inside, she opened the containers–and froze.
Pork bone soup. Red bean porridge. Light, nourishing dishes–exactly what she liked.
She picked up her phone and messaged him.
“I knocked on your door just now but no one answered, so I’m texting instead. Thanks for the dinner.”
His reply came quickly:
“It was nothing. Don’t mention it.”
Sarah stared at the screen for a while, then smiled bitterly.
The man she had loved for three years kicked her out like she was nothing.
And his sworn enemy… kept helping her.
After dinner, she showered, cleaned up, and settled into bed.
It was already past 9 p.m.
She tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
Then, her phone buzzed.
It was Jack.
“Jack.”
Sarah, you called me the other day, right? Sorry I missed it. I was busy. Was it something urgent?”
She’d nearly forgotten–when she was at the hospital, short on money, she had called him.
Chapter 14 The Resignation Letter
e
0
+8 Pearls
“It’s all handled now. No worries.”
“Alright.” He shifted topics. “So… you’re coming back in a few weeks?”
“Yeah,” she replied softly.
“Your fiancé’s also in Astrovia, you know. Want to meet him before you head back?”
