“You sure about resigning?” the HR coordinator asked, wide-eyed. 

“Absolutely,” I replied firmly. 

He gaped, probing me repeatedly to confirm. 

My marriage to Effie was never broadcast, but office gossip had pieced it together over time. 

Unwilling to be part of our domestic drama, the HR coordinator hemmed and hawed. “Uh, this is huge. I’m not authorized to greenlight it solo. Maybe consult with Ms. Marsh? See what she says.” 

My role was central to the firm, and my exit indeed required her stamp of approval. 

“Skip that step,” I insisted. “Process it by standard procedure.” 

My tone was steady and resolute. It didn’t sound like a rushed decision. 

After a pause, the coordinator relented, telling me to collect the paperwork in the afternoon. 

But no sooner had I stepped out than Effie buzzed me back to her office. Kevin was there, greeting me with a plastic grin. “Hey, Gabriel.” 

“Perfect timing,” Effie said. “Caught that vigilante killing story on the news last night—the one avenging his mom? The case is ours, thanks to Kevin’s hustle. Crush this, and you’ll be a household name in legal circles.” 

Her olive branch felt forced, her tone laced with condescension as she doled out this “prestigious” gig: representing the killer who’d dominated headlines. 

I’d skimmed the details that morning. The case was a media circus, inflamed by public opinion. 

Success could catapult my profile, but Kevin’s motives behind this were suspicious. 

This case was a minefield. If I did it too zealously, I’d alienate the masses. If I faltered, my reputation would tank. 

Law clashed with raw emotion, guaranteeing backlash no matter the outcome. It would be a stain on any attorney’s record. 

I declined outright, “Backlog is piling up. I can’t juggle another case. Hand it off.” 

“What’s the matter?” Effie scoffed. “A string of victories, and now you’re snubbing prime cases? I say seize the day. What are you thinking?” 

Kevin piled on, feigning counsel. “Acing this boosts the firm across the board. Reconsider for Ms. Marsh’s sake and our long-term goals. We landed this gem because I pushed hard. Someone is gotta step up, and you’re the prime candidate.” 

I bristled at his manipulative ploy, poised to counter, when Effie’s phone rang. 

“Hello? What? Who is quitting?” Her composure cracked, her complexion paling as the information sank in. 

Once the call ended, she fixed me with wide-eyed incredulity. “You’re resigning? Over my morning scolding?” 

She surged to her feet, quaking with indignation. 

I calmly braced against the desk, inching nearer with a steely smirk. “More than that. I’m filing for divorce, too.”