I'd known it was coming. Had actually been looking forward to it, in a way, no more pretending, no more seeing Dante every day, no more reminders of everything I'd lost.
I held out my hand to Albert. "Thank you for everything over the years."
He stared at my outstretched hand like it was something foreign, something he couldn't quite process. Then, slowly, he shook it.
"You don't need to thank me."
His voice was stiff. Uncertain.
I gave him a small smile, probably didn't reach my eyes and turned to gather the last of my things. My desk was already mostly empty. I'd been clearing it out bit by bit over the past few days, taking things home so this moment wouldn't feel so final.
But it still felt final.
I walked out of the company without looking back, and I didn't let myself think ab
