Chapter 20
1152 Words
Sienna marches into HR, her resignation letter clutched tightly in her hand. Her heart pounds in her chest, but she keeps her expression cool, professional. This is just a formality. She’s already spoken to Lucian’s grandfather. There’s nothing left to discuss.
The HR manager, a middle-aged woman with sharp eyes and an even sharper mind, glances up when Sienna enters. “Good morning, Miss Vale.”
“Good morning,” Sienna replies, placing the envelope on the desk. “I’m here to submit my resignation.”
The HR manager barely spares it a glance before sliding it right back across the desk. “You’ll need to take this directly to Mr. Sterling.”
Sienna’s stomach drops. “Excuse me?”
“He handles all executive-level resignations personally.”
Sienna lets out a slow breath. Of course he does. Of course this can’t be simple.
She plasters on a polite smile. “Right. Thank you.”
With resignation—of a different kind—she turns on her heel and heads toward Lucian’s office, every step feeling heavier than the last.
When she reaches his door, she doesn’t knock. She’s earned that much, at least. Instead, she pushes it open and steps inside.
Lucian is behind his desk, reviewing a file, but his gaze flickers to her immediately. He doesn’t look surprised to see her. If anything, there’s a flicker of amusement in his eyes.
Sienna strides forward and drops the envelope onto his desk. “I’m resigning.”
Lucian leans back in his chair, fingers steepling as he regards her. “Oh?”
She narrows her eyes. “Don’t act like you didn’t see this coming.”
“I see everything coming,” he replies smoothly. “And yet, here you are.”
Her jaw tightens. “HR told me to bring it to you.”
“Good.” He picks up the envelope, tears it open, and scans the contents. Then, without looking up, he says, “You can’t resign.”
Sienna’s fingers curl into fists. “I can resign.”
Lucian finally meets her gaze, a slow smirk playing on his lips. “Not without following proper procedure.”
She exhales sharply. “Lucian—”
“You need to provide a three-week notice,” he continues, completely unfazed by her glare. “And a suitable replacement.”
She stares at him, her frustration bubbling over. “That’s ridiculous.”
“It’s in your contract.” He slides a folder across the desk. “Page fourteen, paragraph three. I assume you remember the contract you signed?”
Sienna grits her teeth. Of course she remembers. She probably drafted half of it herself. And she knows he’s right.
He tilts his head. “You wouldn’t be trying to break a legally binding agreement, would you?”
She presses her lips together. “I hate you.”
Lucian’s smirk deepens. “That’s new. I thought you merely resented me.”
She groans, dragging a hand down her face. “So you’re telling me I’m stuck here for another three weeks?”
“Unless you find someone competent enough to replace you before then.” He leans forward slightly. “And good luck with that.”
Sienna glares at him, hating how smug he looks. He’s enjoying this. No, he’s relishing it. “You’re the worst.”
Lucian places a hand over his chest. “Sienna, please. Flattery won’t change anything.”
She stares at him, then at the contract, then back at him. Then, she notices something—a glint in his eyes, the way his lips twitch like he’s holding back laughter.
Her eyes narrow. “You planned this, didn’t you?”
Lucian simply shrugs. “You’re too valuable to let go without a fight.”
Her stomach flips, and she immediately wants to punch herself for it. No. She will not let him affect her. Not anymore.
She inhales deeply, forcing herself to stay calm. “Fine. I’ll do the three weeks. And I’ll find a replacement.”
Lucian nods approvingly. “Good girl.”
Her breath catches. He knows what he’s doing, and the worst part is—she can’t even pretend it doesn’t affect her.
Sienna scowls. “You’re insufferable.”
“And yet, you’ve worked for me for seven years.”
She crosses her arms. “Biggest mistake of my life.”
Lucian leans back, smirking. “You say that, and yet, you just agreed to work for me for three more weeks.”
She clenches her jaw, then whirls on her heel. “I’m leaving before I commit murder.”
Lucian chuckles, the sound warm and rich. “See you tomorrow, Miss Vale.”
Sienna storms out, silently cursing him the entire way.
---
Lucian watches her go, shaking his head with a smirk.
She thinks this is over.
She’s wrong.
It’s just beginning.
---
Later that evening, Lucian sits across from Camilla in a private dining room at one of the city’s most exclusive restaurants. The candlelight flickers between them, casting long shadows over the table.
Camilla stirs her wine, her expression carefully composed. “So, this is it?”
Lucian exhales, resting his forearms on the table. “It’s for the best, Camilla.”
She laughs, but there’s no humor in it. “For the best? For whom?”
Lucian doesn’t answer. He knows better than to offer empty reassurances.
Camilla shakes her head. “Do you have any idea how this will look? I turned down other men—good, powerful men—because of you. Now I’ll be the woman who was left behind. Do you know what that means in my world?”
Lucian’s jaw tightens. He knows exactly what it means. The socialites in her circle would whisper, speculate, mock her. Camilla thrives on status, and this will bruise her carefully curated image.
She exhales sharply. “Are we at least going to issue a joint statement? Or am I just supposed to disappear quietly?”
Lucian shakes his head. “No press release. No statement. We handle this privately.”
Camilla scoffs. “How convenient.”
“I’m not doing this to hurt you,” he says evenly. “But I won’t pretend, and I won’t drag this out. It’s over.”
She studies him for a long moment, then lifts her chin. “Fine. But don’t expect me to fade into the background, Lucian. I’m not that kind of woman.”
Lucian nods once. “I never expected you to be.”
Camilla drains the rest of her wine and stands gracefully. “I hope she’s worth it,” she murmurs before walking away, leaving Lucian alone with his thoughts.
And for the first time in a long time, he wasn't sure of his decision and he wasn't sure what he was expecting, all he knew was that he couldn't live without sienna and without fighting for her.
- Writer
