Chương 12 - The Resignation Letter
Ivan submitted his resignation Monday morning.
Jessi tore it in half.
“That isn't how resignations work.”
“It is here.”
“You can't reject it.”
“I just did.”
Ivan stared.
She stared back.
Then he laughed.
Jessi did too.
The laughter faded.
“I need to build a life again,” Ivan said.
“So do I.”
“Exactly.”
Jessi understood.
He returned to his apartment.
The eviction debt was gone—not because of the briefcase, but because Sterling & Vance had paid him legitimate compensation for his security work.
Fiona's medical treatment continued through a foundation Marcus established.
Life became quieter.
Ivan expected quiet to feel good.
Instead, he missed Jessi.
He missed arguments about security protocols.
Her terrible habit of forgetting lunch.
The rare moments when the Iron Queen disappeared and the real woman emerged.
Three weeks passed.
Then Fiona asked, “Why doesn't Jessi come anymore?”
“She's busy.”
“Did you fight?”
“No.”
“Then call her.”
“Life isn't that simple.”
Fiona rolled her eyes with the devastating confidence only a seven-year-old could possess.
“Adults make everything complicated.”
The next morning someone knocked.
Ivan opened the door.
Jessi stood there.
No driver.
No assistant.
No tailored armor.
Jeans.
Sweater.
Nervous expression.
“Hi.”
Ivan blinked.
“Hi.”
“I don't know how to do this.”
“Do what?”
“Visit someone without scheduling it.”
Ivan smiled.
“Step one is usually coming inside.”
She did.
Fiona ran from the hallway.
“Jessi!”
Jessi barely had time to brace herself before Fiona hugged her.
Pain flashed across her face.
Then something warmer replaced it.
Ivan saw it.
And suddenly understood that the $85,000 had never been the thing that changed Fiona's life.
May you like
Jessi had.
And Fiona had changed Jessi's.
