Mom, Don't Cry! Here comes a new Daddy!

Chapter 6

(Sabrina’s POV)

Sterling & Co. occupies three floors of a converted warehouse in the arts district. I've walked through these doors a thousand times, but today feels different.

The receptionist, Amy, looks up as we enter. Her eyes widen when she sees me.

"Sabrina! I thought you were—I mean, we heard—" She flushes, clearly someone has been spreading gossip already.

"I'm here to collect my things," I say calmly. "Is Jessica in?"

"Um, yes, but she's in a meeting with—"

"Perfect.”

Sophia and I take the elevator to the third floor, where the creative department sprawls across an open plan space. Heads turn as we walk in. Conversations stop mid-sentence. Someone quickly minimizes their screen.

So they all know. Of course they do. In an office this size, secrets last about five minutes.

My desk is in the corner, next to the window with the view of the park. Was in the corner. Because when I reach it, I stop short.

It's been completely cleared.

Not just organized—stripped. My computer, my files, my coffee mug with Jake's handprint, the succulent I've kept alive for three years. All of it. Gone.

"What the hell?" Sophia's voice is loud enough to carry across the entire floor.

That's when I see her. Jessica, emerging from the glass-walled conference room, Dustin at her side. She's wearing a red dress that's just professional enough for the office and just revealing enough to be hot.

No wonder Dustin fell under her skirt.

She sees me and smiles. "Clearly." I gesture to my empty desk. "Where are my things?"

"Oh, didn't you get my email? I sent it this morning." She tilts her head, all faux concern. "Your position has been eliminated. Budget cuts, you understand. I had IT pack up your belongings. They're in a box downstairs with security."

"You fired her?!" Sophia steps forward, and I grab her arm before she can do something that lands us both in jail.

"Not fired. Laid off. There's a difference." Jessica's smile widens. "Of course, we can discuss reinstating your position if you're willing to be... reasonable about certain personal matters."

She glances meaningfully at Dustin, who has the decency to look uncomfortable.

The shock of the swiftness and utter lack of human decency with which they acted is a cold wave of nausea. I stand there, staring at the barren space, feeling the sharp, stinging humiliation.

This is their play. First to fire me, make me desperate, then offer my job back in exchange for Jake. They think I'll be so afraid of losing everything that I'll cave.

Hahaha…sadly for them, Sophia and I already anticipated this move.

They are going to be so disappointed when they realize they won’t get their way.

She waves a slim manila folder at me. “Your severance package. Standard six weeks’ pay, pending your signature.”

I ignore the folder. Pulling out my own envelope which Sophia had helped me prepare earlier this morning.

“I don't want the job.”

Jessica blinks. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me. You can keep the job. In fact, from this second, I’m resigning from my position as the Creative Director of Sterling and Co.” I look directly at Dustin, who won't meet my eyes. "A cheating scum and a w*****g b***h. You two deserve each other. I hope you’ll always be as happy as you were together yesterday, screwing in our house, on our bed."

Loud gasps of shock erupt through the room. Jessica’s face turns dark, as Dustin’s twists with anger, all the earlier guilt gone with the multiple eyes of judgement, scorn, and disdain suddenly focusing on them.

Bet they didn’t expect. Dustin probably thought I would stay silent for fear of losing Jake, never anticipating I would air their dirty laundry in the office.

"Sabrina—" Dustin starts, but I cut him off.

"Save it. Any communication from now on goes through my lawyer." I turn to Jessica. "And you should know, I'm going to file a complaint with HR for workplace harassment, sleeping with a subordinate's husband and abuse of power against you. Have a great day."

Slapping the envelope on her face, I spin on my heel, Sophia right behind me, and walk toward the elevators. My legs are shaking, my heart is pounding, but I keep my head high and my stride steady.

Behind me, I hear Jessica's voice, sharp and carrying: "Sabrina, get back here! You dare file a complaint against me! You’ll regret this!"

Maybe. But right now, all I feel is gleeful.

The b***h should’ve expected this when she slept with my husband.

In the lobby, security does indeed have a single cardboard box with my name on it. It's pathetically small for seven years of work. I sign for it, tuck it under one arm, and walk out into the sunshine.

Sophia is already on her phone, her voice clipped and professional. "Yes, Richard. She's been terminated... Yes, I'm aware... Perfect. We'll be there in twenty."

She hangs up and looks at me, her expression fierce.

"They just made the biggest mistake of their lives."

I think about Jake's painting. About Richard's strategies. About the future I'm going to build, with or without Dustin.

"Yeah," I say, a slow smile spreading across my face. "They really did."

I would like to see their expressions when news of their abuse of power makes the waves tomorrow morning.