Chapter 4 The Resignation

Aurora stood outside the HR office for what felt like forever, her resignation letter clutched so tightly in her hands that it crinkled at the corners.

She didn't want to do this.

But she had no choice.

What other route could she take?

She couldn't keep working in the same building as Damon. Couldn't keep passing him in the hallways, pretending that everything was fine. Couldn't keep hiding a secret that grew more real every morning she woke up.

She was five weeks pregnant.

With her boss's child.

A boss who didn't love her. Who probably didn't even think about her beyond that one night.

A man that only gave her cold shoulders and indifference, even after what happened.

A lowly girl like her, pregnant for the most wanted bachelor in town. They were not the same class or status.

She would not even dare to be in places he would be in.

They were from different worlds that would never meet.

And the longer she stayed, the more complicated it would become.

The HR director, Mrs. Patel, read the letter in silence. Her brows pinched, and she looked up slowly.

"You've only been here a few months, Aurora. Are you sure about this?"

"I am."

"Is it because of the promotion list? We'll be opening assistant roles next month..."

"It's not that," Aurora said quickly. "It's personal."

Mrs. Patel hesitated. "You're one of the best we've got. Quiet, but smart and efficient. You sure you don't want to reconsider?"

Aurora's throat tightened. "No. I've made up my mind."

She left the letter on the desk and walked out before she could change her mind.

"Working here was not that bad afterall." she murmured

By the time she got back to her floor, word had already started to spread.

That was the thing about offices. Secrets had short lifespans.

Tania from HR barely disguised her curiosity as Aurora packed up her desk. The other assistants whispered. One even asked if she was fired.

She smiled, shook her head, and said she was moving on.

None of them knew the real reason.

Not yet.

Just as she was zipping up her bag, a shadow fell across her desk.

She looked up.

Damon.

His gaze fell to the half-empty desk. Then to her eyes.

"You're quitting?"

Aurora swallowed hard. "Yes."

He said nothing for a long moment.

Then "Why?"

"I already gave my letter to HR."

"That's not what I asked."

She looked around. The eyes of the entire department were practically glued to them.

"Can we not do this here?" she said softly.

His jaw tightened. "My office. Five minutes."

She didn't argue.

She needed to do this calmly .

Inside his office, the tension hung heavy.

Damon closed the door, walked to his desk, and leaned against it, arms crossed.

"You're leaving without warning. No notice. No explanation."

"I gave an explanation."

"No, you gave HR a line. I want the truth."

Aurora held his gaze. "I don't owe you that."

"You do, actually."

"Why?" she snapped. "Because of one stupid night?"

He flinched, but only slightly.

"You think I'm walking away because of guilt? You think I want to throw away a job I worked hard for because I enjoy feeling ashamed?"

His tone softened. "Then tell me what it is."

"I'm pregnant," she said.

The words slipped out before she could stop them.

The silence that followed was suffocating.

Damon didn't move.

He didn't blink.

He just stared at her.

Finally, he said, voice low and controlled, "Is it mine?"

She gave a scoffing laugh. "Of course it's yours. You think I do this regularly?"

"I didn't mean it like that," he muttered.

"No. You meant it exactly like that."

He stood slowly, pacing. His fingers ran through his hair as if trying to process it all.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I didn't plan to. And honestly, I still don't want to."

He turned to her. "You were just going to disappear?"

"Yes."

"And raise the baby alone?"

"I've done harder things alone."

He stared at her for a long time, the weight of her words settling between them.

Then he said something she didn't expect:

"I want to be involved."

Aurora blinked. "What?"

"I want to be there for the baby. Whether we're... anything or not."

She shook her head. "Your family won't allow it. You know it. I'm no one, Damon. Just a lowly girl with a struggling family and no pedigree."

"I don't care what they say."

"Well, I do!" she snapped. "I don't want my child born into judgment and shame."

He took a step forward. "Aurora..."

"No," she cut in. "You don't get to play savior now. You're the one who got to walk away without consequence. I'm the one who has to carry this."

Damon's voice dropped. "You think this isn't affecting me?"

She hesitated. "Then why didn't you say anything after that night?"

"I thought you hated me."

"I did," she whispered. "I still do a little."

They stood in silence again.

Then Damon said quietly, "I'll do whatever you need. Whatever you decide."

Aurora turned to leave.

"I already decided," she said without looking back. "I'm leaving."

And she walked out of his office for the last time.

That evening, she packed her things at home.

Her mother noticed the bag by the door. "Where are you going?"

"Just for a while," Aurora replied. "I need time to think."

"About what?"

"Everything."

Her mother frowned. "Is something wrong?"

Aurora looked at her. Looked at her worn hands, her tired eyes. The woman who had taken her in without hesitation, who had loved her like her own even if she wasn't.

"I'm pregnant," Aurora said.

Her mother gasped.

And for the first time in her life, Aurora watched love turn into disappointment.