Page 45 of Modern Romance December 2025 1-4

The thought of Athena working out how to use a washing machine shouldn’t make him feel even worse, but it did.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

MONDAY MORNING ROLLED AROUND. Jetlag and heartbreak had combined to weigh so heavily on her that Athena had slept for the best part of twenty hours straight, waking only to force food down and write a letter, then slept again until her alarm clock woke her.

Draco wouldn’t be waking her today, not with the long drill of her doorbell or with a kiss.

It was over.

That didn’t stop her heart from jumping when her doorbell rang at eight a.m.

Fully armoured in her favourite work outfit of shirt, tie, waistcoat and shorts, and with her face fully made-up, she greeted Draco’s driver with her best smile, maintaining it even when she climbed into the back of the empty car.

Grace was, as expected, already at her desk. Her smile was tired. ‘How are you feeling?’

Athena shrugged. ‘A bit thick-headed from the jetlag. You?’

‘Same.’ Grace’s smile faltered. ‘He’s waiting for you.’

She nodded, not out of agreement but just because.

Grace hesitated before darting her stare around the office to make sure no one was listening and lowered her voice. ‘There’s something you should know.’

‘He’s transferring me?’ Athena guessed. At Grace’s widening eyes, she smiled sadly. ‘Don’t worry—I already knew.’

Her heart had known.

It wasn’t tenable for them to continue working so closely together. It was a conclusion she’d already reached.

Her self-possession almost came undone when she wrapped her fingers around the door handle of Draco’s office and blood rushed like a torrent through her, burning her veins and her brain with a force that threatened to double her over. She fought it, forcing air into her lungs, then lifted her head high and opened the door.

Even as her eyes connected with Draco’s, she noticed the absence of her desk.

She’d been excised.

She’d expected it. It still felt like a knife to her heart.

She closed the door.

For the longest time, neither of them spoke.

Sitting at his desk, Draco broke the silence, softly saying, ‘Please, take a seat.’

She looked at the sofa she’d first sat on when he’d told her he was tethering her to him and folded her arms across her stomach. The rush of blood had drained away and now her head felt light. The whole of her being felt light, as if she could float to the ceiling.

‘Thank you, but I won’t be staying. I just wanted to give this to you.’ She pulled the envelope out of her handbag and crossed the floor to drop it on his desk, holding her breath so she didn’t have to breathe him in.

‘What’s this?’

‘My resignation.’

The silence that followed pulsed like a beat.

‘I would ask if you know what you’re doing,’ he said slowly.

‘Thank you for not insulting me.’

His smile was faint. ‘How do you plan to support yourself?’