CHAPTER 29 – AURI'S DECISION & GOSSIP STORM
The office was unusually tense that morning. Even before I arrived, I could feel the weight of everything pressing down on me—the tension from the previous confrontation between Dante and Adrian, the impossible pull of both men, and the storm of my own conflicted feelings.
I had made my decision.
I couldn't continue working at Sterling's, at least not for now. The constant tension between Adrian and Dante, the unspoken claims, the flirting, and the possessive stares had created an environment I couldn't focus in. My heart and mind were pulled in two directions, and I wasn't ready to face that chaos on a daily basis. I had to step away, for my own sanity.
I walked into Adrian's office, my steps deliberate, trying to keep my heart from betraying the anxiety I felt. He looked up from his papers, his eyes immediately finding mine, and a flicker of worry crossed his face.
"Auri," he said softly, standing from his chair. "What's wrong?"
I took a deep breath, gripping the resignation letter I had prepared. "Adrian… I've thought about it, and… I can't stay at Sterling's. Not right now. The… the tension… the attention—it's too much. For me."
He frowned, his expression darkening slightly. "Auri… you're one of my best employees. I can't let you go. I won't let you walk away like this."
"I'm sorry," I said, my voice trembling slightly. "I can't stay here, Adrian. I need to step away… for myself. I have to avoid any further… commotion between… everyone."
He stared at me, his jaw tightening. "Commotions? You mean Dante."
I nodded, feeling my chest tighten. "Yes… and everything else. I just… I need to focus on myself for a while. Please understand."
Adrian exhaled slowly, his expression softening but still tinged with frustration. He knew I was determined. He stepped closer, placing a hand gently on my shoulder. "You're making a mistake," he said quietly. "But… if this is what you want, I won't stop you."
I handed him the resignation letter, my hands slightly shaking. "I hope you understand, Adrian. I truly appreciate everything you've done for me."
He took the letter silently, reading it carefully. He looked up at me, eyes dark with emotion. "I have no choice then," he said, voice low but tinged with sorrow. "I accept your resignation."
As I walked out of Adrian's office, the weight of the decision pressed down on me. I felt a mix of relief and sadness. I had removed myself from the impossible tension, but I also felt a pang of loss. Adrian's care, his charm, his insistence—it had been hard to walk away from.
And then… the gossip began.
I was walking down the hallway when I overheard murmurs from a group of my colleagues.
"Did you hear? Auri is leaving… again."
"She's such a… two-timer."
"I always knew she was a… bitch. Playing both sides with Adrian and Dante."
"She's a whore, no doubt. Who else could handle two powerful men like that?"
My heart sank. The words stung, even though I knew better than to let office gossip dictate my worth. I gritted my teeth, keeping my head high, trying to ignore the whispers and glances.
They don't know me, I thought bitterly. They have no idea what's really happening… or what I'm feeling.
Despite the humiliation and the judgmental stares, I refused to let them see me break. I straightened my shoulders, walking past them with deliberate poise. My heart raced, cheeks burning, but I refused to let them see how much their words hurt.
I had made my choice. I had decided to step away, to protect myself, to avoid the impossible tension between two men who were both… so impossible to resist.
As I packed up my desk, I felt a strange mix of emotions—relief, sadness, fear, and a flicker of excitement for what came next. For now, I was free. Free to think, free to breathe, free to try to make sense of my heart without the constant pull of Dante and Adrian threatening to tear me apart.
By the time I left the office, the whispers had grown louder, but I didn't care. I had my decision, and I had my path, even if it was uncertain. And though the world might judge me, call me names, and gossip endlessly, I knew the truth—my heart belonged to no one but the one I truly wanted, and for now, that was something I had to keep to myself.
As I walked out into the cool evening air, I took a deep breath and let the tension fall from my shoulders. The office was behind me. The gossip was behind me. And for the first time in weeks, I felt… like I had control over my own life again.
But I also knew, deep down, that the story was far from over.
Dante and Adrian… they weren't finished with me. And neither was my heart.