3: 3
3
Early the next morning, I went in to the office as usual, ready to pack up my things.
I'd made up my mind to end it, and I didn't want it dragging out.
I'd barely stepped into my office when Merlin came in right behind me.
"Well, well. Weren't you the one with all the backbone? What are you doing back here, looking so eager?"
"Enough. I already had a good talk with my parents last night. When you get off work, come home with me and apologize to them properly."
I didn't even bother to look at him. I just kept packing.
"You've got it wrong. I'm not here to work. I'm here to clear out my things."
"And while I'm at it, I'm letting you know I'm resigning."
The smugness dropped off his face in an instant. He strode over and slammed a hand down on the files I was sorting.
"Joyce, do you really have to take this so far?"
"I'm already backing down here. Can't you see that?"
I pulled the files out from under his hand.
"Nobody's taking anything too far. This is just a clean split after a breakup. Don't write yourself extra scenes."
"As for that lofty head of yours, don't bother lowering it. You might snap your own neck."
Along with the ordinary office files, I deleted every design in the computers.
Back when Merlin first started the company, he had no one at his side.
To get the business on its feet faster, I carried the whole design department alone, entering competition after competition with my own work.
Every award I won breathed new life into his company.
I still remember it, even now.
The day after I won my first national award, Merlin, who had been barely holding on, finally landed the company's first seven-figure contract.
He grabbed me and pulled me into a hug, thrilled.
"Lulu, you're my lucky star. You're the reason this whole company works!"
"Being with you is the best thing I've ever done in my life!"
In all the years since, his company got where it is on my designs. Little by little, it found solid ground in the industry.
It wasn't as if bigger, more established firms hadn't tried to poach me. They had. Every time, I turned them down.
I loved that man for twelve years. I wanted to stand beside him.
To be there while he built it all from nothing, there while he made his name.
I really did think, once, that he would give me a home.
Once everything was wiped, I picked up the box and turned to leave.
Behind me, Merlin's voice came again, low and mean.
"Joyce, are you really going to take this all the way?"
I stopped. But I didn't answer him.
"By the way. Your company's main earnings all these years came from my designs, and I've never received a single royalty payment or copyright contract from you."
"We no longer have any working relationship, so I'm asking your company to stop profiting from my designs, effective immediately."
"If your company keeps using my designs after this, I reserve the right to sue to protect my rights."
With that, I walked straight out of the building without looking back.
I thought that was the end of things between Merlin and me.
But that night, my home got an uninvited guest.
I'd just finished dinner and was about to take the dog downstairs for a walk when someone started pounding on my door.
I opened it to find Victoria standing there.
The moment she saw me, she jabbed a finger in my face and started screaming.
"You little tramp, are you trying to ruin my son on purpose?"
"Let me tell you, you hurt my son, and I'm not letting you off that easy! You're nothing but a vicious witch!"
I couldn't be bothered to trade words with her. I just dialed 911.
"Hello, I need to report a break-in. Someone's trying to force their way into my home."
