I lean on the countertop and hold his gaze. “Well, I’m not taking it, Hale, and I wanted you to be the first to know.”
His brows rise, but he hums and nods. “Had a feeling.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.” He tilts his head. “Ever since you got struck by omega lightning, your focus shifted.”
I laugh, amused by his statement’s accuracy. “Red would love that description.”
He scoots his chair close to the desk and throws his document and pen down. “Say, do you think I can come with you to visit the boss? I’d pay good money to see the look on Aden’s face.”
I study him. His long, frizzy hair fights his topknot, the auburn color similar to Zack’s. He wears a suit jacket over a plain white tee with colorful, baggy pants. “In another life, you should open a fashion store with Rickon,” I mutter.
He chuckles. “Hey, not a bad idea. So, was that a yes?”
“Sure.” I wave for him to get up. “We can call it my parting gift. I wouldn’t have got this far without you.”
“Ew, gross!” He holds up one hand to stop me. “Enough. Let your gift do the talking.”
I chuckle and check my inner coat pocket a third time for the resignation letters tucked inside. “Come if you’re coming.”
“One sec!” He dives onto his computer and prints something.
I turn and head for the elevator, slowing my steps so he can catch up.
“Is today the last day?” he asks quietly.
“Yeah. I’ve already applied for leave, and thanks to you, my cases were reassigned. The leave covers my required notification period.” I catch him grinning in the mirrored walls, but he keeps his thoughts to himself.
Butterflies swoop in my stomach as we get off on the top floor and cross the marble floor. On the partner level chandeliers stand in for lights and gold gilding for cornices. Fresh floral arrangements grace the receptionist’s desk, flooding the air with the sickly-sweet aroma of pink liliums. I’m no stranger to such grandeur, but today it feels suffocating.
“Congratulations, Mr Wren,” the woman says, beaming at me. “Mr Parker’s waiting for you in the first counsel room.”
I nod and veer down the wide corridor. Aden won’t be happy with me. He’ll see my choice as a betrayal, a dud investment for the firm. But that’s not my problem anymore. Perhaps if he’d recognized me sooner and promoted me, I’d feel duty-bound to continue with the company. But thankfully, that’s not the case.
“Callisto!” Aden crows as I throw open the door. He pops a cork and fills two glasses with bubbly champagne. “Oh, and Hale’s here too. Grab another glass from the kitchen if you’re joining us.”
Hale shoots me a glare that tells me he’ll kill me if I break the news while he’s gone, and I nod, hiding a smile.
“One hundred and three cases!” Aden passes me a glass, the bubbles popping faintly in the air. “I really can’t believe it.” He pumps one fist in the air. “Now, Shiloh asked me to call him when you came in, so let me get him on the phone.”
He dials up the conference phone and puts the big boss on loudspeaker. I accept Shiloh Laurance’s congratulations, the words deeply meaningful coming from the respected lawyer whose record I just broke. One hundred and three back-to-back court wins. The record likely won’t be beaten in a long time. I sip the champagne and share case details with the firm’s founder while Aden beams at me like I’m his son.
For just a moment, I soak in the pride of my accomplishment. I really gave this job my life. In fact, I almost sacrificed everything in the process. But I’m also proud of myself for recognizing and finding another path, even if it comes a little late.
Hale returns, and we toast to me, and to Harkman and Laurance.
“I’ll fly down for the party,” Shiloh promises before saying he’s got to run to a client meeting. I wonder if they’ll still throw a party when they hear what I’m about to say.
The line clicks off, and Aden sets his glass down. “Now we can get down to details. As I’m sure you’ve been expecting, the firm’s thrilled to offer you a partner position.” He slaps a folder down on the table. “As you’re aware, a partner needs to invest in the firm. All the buy-in costs are here, but I’m sure that won’t be a problem for you.” He grins, looking the least fierce I’ve ever seen him as he slides the paperwork toward me. “I’ve already picked out a corner office for you, and we can make the official announcement at your party.”
I straighten and pull the envelope from my pocket. “As honored as I am, I’m afraid I have to decline.”
“Oh, we can announce it right away, if that’s what you prefer,” Aden says without missing a beat.
“That’s not what I meant.” I pass him the letter.
“Then what?” His brows furrow as he rips the envelope open and unfolds the sheet within. He reads it aloud, skipping a few words as he goes. “Dear . . . announce my resignation . . . effective . . .” The bottom of the letter flutters loose from his fingers as he looks up, his gentleman’s expression turning ugly. “This is a bad fucking joke, Callisto.”
