Chapter 112 Quit

Chapter 112 Quit
Brielle's POV

The familiar sound of the office doors opening greeted me as I stepped into Tabitha’s company, the buzz of employees working, the hum of keyboards clattering away, and the occasional murmur of conversation filling the air. Everything felt normal, yet inside, I couldn’t shake the heaviness pressing down on my chest. I kept replaying Tabitha’s words from last night in my head, her unexpected outburst and the warning about Natalie still lingering in my thoughts.

I took a deep breath, trying to push the memory away. This was work, I reminded myself. I had things to focus on, things to get done. But it was impossible not to feel the tension hanging over me like a dark cloud. I didn't even tell Daylan about it.

As I walked toward my office, I felt my phone vibrate in my bag. I fished it out, my heart skipping a beat when I saw Mark’s name on the screen.

Brielle, I’m impressed with your presentation. Let’s meet at 9 AM tomorrow at Sternpoint to discuss next steps. Looking forward to working with you.

I stopped in my tracks in the hallway, the weight on my chest lifting slightly as a rush of relief and excitement flooded me. He wanted to work with me. All my hard work and that late night going over the presentation paid off.

A small, triumphant smile tugged at my lips. This could be it, this could be the beginning of something huge. A chance to build the publishing company and to get that justice for Sophia and her baby. I felt my heart race with anticipation as I tucked the phone back into my bag and walked the rest of the way to my office.

But just as I stepped inside and closed the door, I heard the unmistakable click of heels approaching. I turned around and saw Tabitha standing in the doorway, her arms crossed and her expression hard.

“Tabitha?” I said, startled by her sudden presence. “Is everything okay?”

Her eyes narrowed as she stepped inside, her energy unmistakably cold. “We need to talk about last night. Natalie is excited at the thought of working with you on your future projects and I do not like that one bit. You will tell her that you found someone else if you get to work with Mark.”

I swallowed hard, my nerves prickling under her intense gaze. There was no mistaking the tension between us after last night, and I had this sinking feeling this conversation wasn’t going to end and be a pleasant one.

Tabitha shut the door behind her, her voice low and sharp as she continued, “I thought I made myself clear when I spoke to you at the restaurant. Natalie will work for me. And yet, here you are, still trying to steal her away for your little project.”

I stared at her, feeling my stomach twist. “Tabitha, I’m not trying to steal anything. You know that I’ve been working on my own ideas for a publishing company, and I thought Natalie would be a great fit for that. But you refused my idea first-”

“Refused?” She interrupted, her tone mocking. “I told you that I thought it wouldn't work, and then I changed my mind, but it's clear that you would rather work with Mark. That doesn’t give you the right to poach my people and ruin everything I’ve been working on.”

The way she spat those words “ruin everything” made something inside me snap. I could feel my hands trembling as I clenched them into fists at my sides, trying to steady myself. I was tired of her accusations, tired of Mark also being the reason she was so pissed off and jealous.

“Tabitha, I’m not trying to ruin anything,” I said, my voice shaking. “I have always respected what you have built here. But just because I’m moving forward with my own plans doesn’t mean you can stand in my way or try to destroy what I’m working toward. This has all to do with Mark and you need to move on from your past.”

Her eyes darkened, and she took a step closer, her voice menacing. “You think you can just walk into my company, use my people, and waltz out with your little publishing goal? Think again. You wouldn’t have gotten this far without me, and I could take it all away just as quickly. And how dare you tell me about my past with Mark? I wanted to be the one to work with you and give you what you deserved!”

My breath caught in my throat, and I could feel the heat rising in my face. She was threatening me, plain and simple, and the weight of her words hung in the air like a suffocating blanket." Well, you still refused, and I will work with Mark whether you like it or not. You are lonely too, because all you see is that I'm thriving, and I have everything you ever wanted. I never knew you would turn out to be this way." I couldn’t let her intimidate me. Not now. Not after everything I’d worked for even though she helped me where she could, I'm still grateful for that.

She continued to glare at me and I knew this was a hard pill for her to swallow. "I still helped you get to where you were here and for your book."

I sighed, I can't believe I have to deal with this now, I ended up forcing my voice to steady, “I have done nothing but try to make this company better. I have given everything to the projects we have worked on. But if you think I’m going to stand here and let you bully me into giving up on my goals, then you’re wrong. You and Daylan are the ones that actually published my book behind my back. So, do not tell me about how you made that happen for me when I didn't ask you.”

She laughed, but it wasn’t a warm, friendly sound. It was cold and sharp. “You are naive if you think you can outmaneuver me," She ignored the rest that I had said, brushing it off. "You might have Mark’s attention now, but this world is cutthroat, and you won’t last long without the right connections. Believe me, I’ve seen it happen time and time again.”

Her words hit me like a slap to the face, and for a moment, I felt like my young self again, scared, and uncertain. But then I thought of all the work I had put into this. All the sacrifices I had made, the late night with preparations, and the determination that had gotten me this far.

I wasn’t that girl anymore. I wasn’t scared.

“I have made it this far on my own,” I said, standing taller. “And I’m not going to let you or anyone take that away from me.”

Tabitha’s eyes flashed with anger, and she took another step forward, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “You’re making a huge mistake. If you walk out of here, I will make sure you never get another opportunity in this industry again.”

My heart pounded in my chest, but I refused to back down. “If you are threatening me, then I don’t think I can work here anymore.”

The words felt heavy as they left my mouth, but I knew they were true. This was no longer a place where I could thrive. Not under someone who would use threats and manipulation to control me out of the blue.

Her lips curled into a cruel smile. “You think quitting will solve your problems? You are nothing without this company and without me.”

I took a deep breath, feeling a strange sense of calm wash over me. I had come too far to let her words break me now.

“I’m not nothing,” I said firmly. “And I quit.”

Her eyes widened in shock, and for a brief moment, I saw the vulnerability behind her mask of control. But it was fleeting, and within seconds, she regained her composure, her expression hardening once more.

“Fine,” she hissed. “Good luck finding someone who will hire you after this...if your goal works out.” She just didn't know that Mark wanted to work with me and that it's confirmed by the man himself.

I didn’t say another word. I didn’t need to. With my head held high, I walked past her, my hands trembling slightly as I reached for the door. I pushed it open, stepping out into the hallway. The air felt lighter, freer.

I had quit.

I had walked away from everything I had worked for in this company. But I had also walked away with my dignity intact, with my dreams still burning bright inside me. I wasn’t going to let Tabitha or anyone else dim that fire. Not now. Not ever. And as I left the building, I knew one thing for certain: I was just getting started.