Chapter 48

Renee’s POV

The next day at work I pace outside Eric’s office. Thinking of quitting my job and starting my own business was much easier yesterday with some liquid courage in the confines of Jaspers house. Now that I’m here actually about to quit, I don’t feel as confident.

Jasper already wired a hundred thousand to my bank though so there’s no going back now. I check my bank app on my phone, seeing that much money there serves as a tangible reminder that I can do this. Besides I’ve never seen my bank account have that much money in it and I don’t think I have it in me to send it back.

The door opens startling me. I stop pacing and look at Eric standing in the frame looking puzzled. “Were you wanting to come in?” He asks.

“Um,” I stall. I close the app on my phone.

“I can see the shadow of your feet move back and forth from underneath the door,” Eric says. My cheeks get hot. I’ve been walking out here for ten minutes.

“Yes,” I manage to say. “I need to talk to you,” Eric steps aside letting me come in.

“If this is about Mia, let me further explain,” he says shutting the door. He goes over to his mini kitchenette and pours two glasses of water.

“This isn’t really about her,” I say quietly and watch the water slosh in the glass while ice cubes clink.

“If we went to court this would all go public. There would be no doubt that with this publicity the press would dig into each of our backgrounds,” I swallow the lump in my throat about that. “And no doubt Mia’s mother would confess to the media about the night she found me,”

Eric goes on to explain about how the publicity would be bad for him and the company, I know in the long run it would probably be bad for me too.

When Annie got hit by a car and died, a bunch of trolls online started a conspiracy theory that I didn’t really die. It’s amateur stuff, but who knows what findings would come up in the media and what that might stir on the internet.

“Eric, this isn’t about Mia,” I say more firmly. Eric stops talking. He looks at me and raises an eyebrow.

“Well, then what is it?” He asks and I can tell he doesn’t like not knowing what I’m about to tell him. He’s used to running the show, to having all the information. My heart aches for him. I push down the instinct need to comfort him.

“I quit,” I blurt out. Eric goes rigid. I watch as the muscles in his jaw tighten.

“You quit?” He confirms. I nod, unable to find my voice. “Why?”

I clear my throat and take a sip of the water, painfully aware of him watching my every move.

“I think I can do better for myself and Debbie,” I admit. Eric looks hurt.

“If this is about money, I’ve already cancelled your debt and I can give you a raise” Eric says leaning forward. My chest constricts.

“It’s more than that,” I say, but I can’t tell him about how Mia has this hold over me even if she isn’t working here and how being around him causes my insides to flip flop, or that with Debbie healing it would only be a matter of time before she ran into Eric and he saw her as a wolf. Just like what almost happened the other day.

“What will you do?” Eric asks, his voice low and tight.

“I’m going to create my own design business,” I tell him and I feel how ridiculous that sounds. Eric laughs and tears prick my eyes.

“With what money?” He asks coldly.

“Not that it’s your business, but Jasper is going to financial support me,” I tell him trying to sound confident in my plan. “It’ll be out of the state,” I say and Eric’s eyes leap over to me. “You don’t have to worry about competition,” I try to explain but somehow I feel like I’ve just insulted him. If I did, Eric doesn’t show it. Instead he goes completely stoic, impossible to read which tells me he doesn’t want me to know how he’s really feeling.

A vein in Eric’s forehead pulses. He grunts. “All right then,” he says and Maranda from his seat. “Box up your things you’re finished today,” he says stiffly.

Usually an employee stays two weeks after quitting, but I don’t question Eric on this. I rise to my feet and hurry out the door before he can say anything else.

My heart thuds in my chest. Something about this is all too familiar.

I don’t bother going to my desk. I have nothing personal there anyways. I was always worried bringing in something sentimental would somehow tie my back to Annie. Little did I realize that what I’m doing right now, walking away from Eric, is the only thing that ties me back to her.

I don’t say goodbye to Bella, or to any of my colleagues. It’s not like I was close with any of them to begin with.

I keep my eyes downcast and try to even my breath the entire walk to my car. When my foot hits the pavement It’s like I’ve just managed to escape. There’s no going back now. I’ll never have to step foot in that building again.

In my car the tree fall and I let them fall unrestrained. I’m not even sure why I’m crying. Why is walking away from him so painful?

I wipe my tears and put the car in reverse. It doesn’t matter, I tell myself. Debbie and I get to start over again and this time it’s for the better. This time we have a man coming with us, a good man.

Jasper is financially supporting my dream, and he’s willing to relocate his practice to do it. That’s how much he believes in me. I tell Eric I’m starting my own business and he laughed.

I should be grateful that a man like Jasper wants something to do with me, someone who’s life is in shambles. So, why do I keep checking the review mirror hoping I’ll see Eric coming after me?

By the time I get to Jaspers, I’ve calmed myself down.

I don’t bother knocking on the door I just let myself in.

“How did it go?” Jasper asks from down the hall.

“Good,” I say my voice shaking a little.

“How did Eric take it?” Jasper asks tossing a towel over his shoulder. He was just doing a workout with Debbie. He’s in a cotton black fitted t shirt and black joggers. He’s in great shape. He notices me checking him out and the corner of his lips turn to a smile. He’s ridiculously handsome.

I start to relax and slip into the idea of us becoming something.

I drop my bag down. “It was a little scary,” I admit. Jasper nods emphatically.

“Nothing you can’t handle,” he says and I want to agree but I’m not so sure I can.

“Mommy! Watch this!” Debbie shoots barreling through the living room. She throws herself on to her hands and begins lifting her palms up and steadily moves herself across the rug.

I gasp as my jaw hits the floor. “Please be careful,” I blurt out. Once the initial worry wanes, I become impressed with her strength.

I look at Jasper who smiles proudly. “You’re just a miracle worker, aren’t you?” I say.

“What’s for dinner? I’m starving!” Debbie says plopping back down to her feet. I loo lay Jasper and shrug.

“I may be a miracle worker in the physical department, but I still have mastered cooking,” he says and I laugh.

“Let’s order a pizza,” I say. I don’t think I could stay focused long enough to follow a recipe. Besides, we have business to discuss.