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It’s the only answer I’ll ever need, and it tells me everything I need to know.

Nodding, I cross one leg over the other and lean forward. “Sure. You’ll need to find someone else to finish the project for Bryce and Carter, because it’s not going to be me.”

“At least you see sense on that. I’ll assign it to one of the guys, and I’ll see you in the office on Monday morning.”

“No, I think I’ll just do it now.” I stand, bag in hand. “No use delaying it.”

Thomas peers at me over his glasses again. “Do what now, Katrina?”

“Get a file on the project ready and clean out my desk.” I’m amazed that I don’t hear a single waver in my voice. “Have everything squared away so I can quit in peace.”

I’ve never seen Thomas look so shocked before. I almost want to grab my phone and take a picture.

“What are you talking about?”

“I quit,” I explain patiently. “When I leave today, I’m not coming back.”

“You can’t quit,” he scoffs. “I hired you because your mother wanted me to.”

“And I’m quitting because I want to. You no longer need to feel any sense of loyalty to me. I’m not an idiot, Thomas; I know you never wanted me. Here or in general.”

“Now that is not true. I gave you everything you could have needed. You wanted for nothing.”

“Except acceptance and love. All the things you gave me, they never came out of the kindness of your heart or because you cared. You did them because they were expected of you.”

He pinches the bridge of his nose, a sure sign I’m driving him up the wall. “That’s the way life works. You meet the expectations placed in front of you.”

A part of me feels sorry for him because I know that’s all his life has been. He inherited this business and the legacy of a major corporation responsible for building the state. That’s his whole life. The only time he ever looked for more was with my mom, and they’re two emotionally absent people who deserve one another. But I don’t want that kind of life for myself. I want more.

“I’ve spent my whole life being told who I am and who I should be, but not anymore. I’m not feeling like I need to justify my choices to anyone, so I quit.”

His frown causes a crease across his forehead. “Your mother is going to be so disappointed.”

I grin. “Wouldn’t be the first time.”

For the first time in my life, I have the last word with my stepfather and step out of his office; the door swinging shut behind me. I take a few deep breaths, letting my new reality settle in before I head back to Nadine’s desk.

“What’s going on?” she questions, looking up at me from her computer with wide eyes. “Thomas just told me to collect your badge on your way out.”

“I need to put together a file for whoever takes over the project in Columbia, because I just quit.” Panic crosses her face, and I know what’s she’s worried about. She’s worried about being left alone in this place without another woman to lean on and, if I could, I’d take her with me in a heartbeat, but this is where she needs to be right now. “Are you following me to my desk so I can get everything sorted?”

“I mean, technically, I’m supposed to.” She waves over one of the interns, instructing them to manage the desk while she makes sure I don’t do anything questionable, which gets a snort out of me.

Honestly, what questionable thing could I really do? Especially since I didn’t feel like arson was the best answer.

About twenty minutes later, I’m almost done putting the folder together for whoever is going to take the project over. I knew it wouldn’t take long, my notes are meticulous, and I like to stay organized during a job. Still, I wanted to make sure everything was as clear as possible. More for Carter and Bryce than whoever gets to take credit for most of my hard work.

“Okay, I was able to make to some arrangements for you.”

I glance over at Nadine, who has been busy typing away at her phone and spinning in an office chair, before I look back at my computer. “What kind of arrangements?”

“With the rental you’re staying in.” My stomach drops as I turn to face her again. I hadn’t even thought about needing a place to stay. “Obviously, there’s no way Thomas will continue to let you stay on company funds, but it’s also not our property. I talked to the landlord, who has had zero issues with you as a tenant, and she’s willing to let you take over the remainder of the agreement.”

“And how much is it?”

“Sixteen hundred a month with everything included,” Nadine replies, scrolling on her phone. “This month has already been paid for, which Thomas will not be getting back, so she says you’re covered. The remaining balance through September is about sixty-five hundred. She said you can terminate anytime.”

It’s less than what I’m paying Thomas and my mother a month for the guest house, which I’m surely vacating now. It’s not ideal since I don’t have a job, but I have enough in savings to manage the difference. “Tell her I’ll take it.”