Page 59 of Calculated Chaos

“Hollister, I don’t know what the fuck kind of game you think you’re playing, but this is exactly why you haven’t been promoted to director yet. I can’t count on you.” Placing his hands on my desk, he leans in. “You proved my point this weekend.”

“That isn’t fair. It was one day.”

“We never know what day something is gonna come up. You know who was available? Tanner. Tanner, who is in a junior position to you, but he got me what I needed. Oh, and don’t think I didn’t notice your report was late. You’re slacking, Hollister.”

As he stands there looking disgusted and superior, my blood boils. I’ve spent my entire life being broken down by this man, only to get nowhere. I stand up, leaning across the desk to meet his stern gaze. He raises an eyebrow in surprise, and for once, there’s nothing in me that wants to back down. Maybe learning how to let go with Axel gave me the strength I need right now.

“Maybe Tanner would like to have my position.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I have spent my entire life chasing your approval. I could’ve been anything, but I’m an accountant because you’re an accountant. I gave up all the things I wanted to do to follow in your footsteps, only for you to make me feel worthless on a regular basis.”

My dad leans back, staring at me with a confused expression.

“I was out on my birthday because my friends and my real family saw what was happening to me. All work and no fun. They knew I would wake up one day and see you in my reflection. I don’t know what I want to do with the rest of my life, but I know I’m done with you. I did everything I could, worked as hard as I could, studied, stayed up to date on changing regulations, and what do you do? Throw Tanner in my face.”

“You better think about what you’re saying to me.”

“Oh, I am. Two weeks ago, your threat would’ve worked. I would’ve doubled down and killed myself to prove I was worthy of this promotion I don’t even want. But you know that, don’t you, Dad? You like seeing me squirm and work myself into the ground. You reap the benefits of my desire to make you happy, so why would you change? I mean, other than loving me, but I guess that’s not something you feel.”

“Now wait a minute, Hollister—”

“No, you wait.” As if Axel is standing over me telling me I’m a good boy and he’s so proud of me, I summon every bit of courage within and remove my employee badge from my belt. “I’m done. I quit.”

“What?” Dad looks truly shocked. “You can’t just quit.”

“I can, actually. And I did. You can always give my accounts to the team, or hell, promote Tanner. I don’t give a fuck.”

“You will not walk out of here when we have a major audit coming up. You think you can just throw a tantrum and I’ll, what? Bow to your list of demands?”

I grab my phone off my desk and my messenger bag from the back of my chair. “I don’t care what you do. I don’t have any demands. When you try to play the victim, just know that I would’ve done almost anything for you to act like you cared. I take the blame for being so stubborn. You never gave me an ounce of hope to hold on to, but I did anyway. So, my bad.”

“If you walk out that door, don’t expect me to take you back when you realize what you did.”

“When you’re lying on your deathbed, don’t expect me to come say goodbye.”

He has the nerve to look shocked.

“Anything else of mine can be shipped to me, along with my last paycheck.”

I walk past him with my head high. Sara is sitting behind her desk, staring at me with wide eyes.

“Hollister!”

I ignore him as I keep my gaze on Sara.

“Did you really just quit?” she asks.

“I did. I’m sorry. I’ll be happy to write a recommendation letter for you.”

“I’m going with you.” She grabs her handbag from her drawer.

“I can’t ask you to do that, Sara. I have no idea what I’m doing next.”

“You didn’t ask me. I’ve got savings, and I’ll find something else. I have skills.” She walks around the desk, taking my hand in hers. “I’m so proud of you. There’s no way I’m staying to watch this place crumble without you. Your dad is in for a rude awakening.”

“Are you sure?”

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