Chapter 5

Chloe's eyes flickered with triumph before she schooled her features into concern. "Alice, that's so unnecessary. You two have been through so much..."

"Chloe, leave us." Ryan's voice was dangerously low.

Chloe bit her lip, shooting me a smug glance before murmuring, "Just talk it out, you two," and slipping out.

The door clicked shut. Ryan's stare turned icy.

"Cut the crap, Alice. I just offered to marry you, and you're still pulling this nonsense?"

"Take it back. I'm not accepting this resignation. Tear it up, and we'll pretend you didn't have this little meltdown."

I almost felt sorry for him—so used to getting his way that he couldn't fathom me walking away. All those years I'd swallowed my pride to keep the peace, thinking patience would fix us. Turns out I'd just trained him to expect my surrender.

He remembered Chloe's coffee order but couldn't recall signing my resignation papers last week.

I tapped the paper. "Check the signature. You signed it yourself. HR processed everything—today's my last day."

Ryan glanced at it dismissively, then did a double-take. His face paled slightly.

"You faked this." His voice cracked.

"Your handwriting, your desk, your pen. Ring any bells?"

"That's impossible!" He slammed his fist on the desk. "You could go to jail for this!"

"Impossible! How could I sign this?!" He raised his voice. "Forging a signature is illegal; I can call the police!"

He grabbed his phone, ready to dial—his usual power move. It always worked before. He thought I'd panic about the scandal, about losing him. But he was wrong.

I had nothing left to lose.

"Be my guest. Call the cops." My voice stayed steady.

"You really don't care?"

"Why would I?"

Ryan's jaw tightened. He studied the paper, and I helpfully added, "You signed it during your trip to Singapore. Remember? The day Chloe 'accidentally' spilled wine on your laptop?"

His shoulders went rigid. Recognition dawned, draining the color from his face. "That? I was distracted! I didn't read it! It doesn't count!"

"Says who? HR has it on file. Your signature's right there."

"Says me!" He loomed over me, trying to intimidate.

I pulled out my phone and unlocked it. "Then we'll let the police decide."