Elena stood outside Ethan's cabin, heart racing. Her resignation letter trembled slightly in her hand. She didn't want to do this, but she had to. For her sanity. For her peace.
She knocked.
"Come in," came Ethan's voice, cold and business-like.
Elena walked in slowly, holding her head high. Ethan looked up, surprised to see her with such seriousness in her eyes.
"What is it?" he asked, leaning back in his chair.
She placed the paper on his desk. "I'm resigning."
Silence.
Ethan picked up the letter, skimmed it, then looked at her sharply. "Is this a joke?"
"No," she said firmly. "I'm serious."
"Why?" His voice was sharp now. "What did I do this time, Elena?"
"It's not just you!" she snapped. "I'm tired of pretending everything's fine! I can't live like this—secretly married, constantly lying, dodging questions… I don't even recognize us anymore."
Ethan stood up, his jaw clenched. "And your brilliant solution is to quit?"
"Yes!" she shouted. "At least I'll be able to breathe!"
His eyes burned. "You're running away. Again."
"I'm not running," she said, voice cracking. "I'm breaking. And you don't even see it."
They stared at each other, a storm of emotions swirling between them. The tension was heavy, the unsaid words louder than ever.
"Don't come home tonight," Ethan muttered bitterly, looking away.
"Don't worry," she said, wiping a tear. "I wasn't planning to."
And just like that, she turned and walked out, leaving Ethan gripping the resignation letter so tightly, it crumpled in his hand.
Outside, thunder rolled across the sky.
The real storm was only just beginning.