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An email pinged in my personal inbox.

Cynthia.

My smile widened.

I clicked it open, reclining slightly in my chair.

From: Cynthia Gladstone [email protected]

To: Kyle Jackson [email protected]

Subject: RE: Resignation Notice

Hi Kyle,

Thank you for your… uniquely worded resignation. While your tone was unexpected—and frankly, unprofessional—we acknowledge receipt of your immediate departure from Emotive Corporation.

As you are aware, standard offboarding protocol includes a minimum two-week notice period. However, given the tone and content of your message, we have accepted your resignation effective immediately. Your system access has been revoked, and your remaining credits will be processed within the standard payroll timeline.

While I would typically wish you the best in your future endeavours, your parting words make it clear that such sentiments may be unwelcome.

Please consider this your formal confirmation of termination.

Regards,

Cynthia Gladstone

Project Manager Lead

Emotive Corporation

“Professionalism isn’t optional—it’s expected.”

[Internal Use Only – Confidential]

I leaned back and laughed—actually laughed. It felt good. Like deep in the ribs, lungs finally unchained. I read the email again. My words had landed exactly where they needed to.

Walked out without begging, without explanation. No warning. No groveling to the woman who’d micromanaged my every breath for half a decade. No more Cynthia. No more clock-ins. No more team-building bulletins, deadlines, passive-aggressive“just checking in” messages.

I tapped a quick response.

RE: YOUR RESIGNATION

Dear Cynthia,

I appreciate your concern. Unfortunately, my new role doesn’t require me to be gaslit, underpaid, or dead inside.

But I’ll never forget the time you told me to“smile more on team calls.” Or the fact that you doled out more tasks to me than other members on the team.

Thank you for the trauma. It built character. I've filled out my exit interview form highlighting the issues within the department.

Regards,

Kyle Jackson

[Former Pleb]

After I hit send, I tilted my head back and closed my eyes.