Chapter 23 No Room for You
+10 Free Coins
In Riven’s mind, it made more sense to kick Tess out than pretend she’d suddenly turn over a new leaf.
Better to cut ties clean–at least then, she couldn’t go crying to Finn and drag him down with her. That kind of fallout would end his entire career in Aetheris.
He snuck another glance at Tess but quickly looked away.
Sure, she was beautiful, but way too dangerous. He might be a sleazeball, but he wasn’t stupid. He knew some women were out of his league–way out.
Impatiently, he barked, “Move it already!”
“Why?”
Tess met his eyes, calm but firm.
“Why? Who’s in charge here–you or me?”
His voice shot up an octave. Then, as if he’d just remembered something, he waved a hand dismissively. “Oh, and you’re fired.”
Tess stared at him in shock. Riven shoved the new girl through the doorway and practically ran off.
Even Bessie, usually quick–witted, was too stunned to react right away.
“Wait, he didn’t just kick you out of the bed? He fired you?”
She finally pieced it together.
Tess clenched her fists, lips pressed tightly together.
The new girl stood there awkwardly, clutching two suitcases, unsure if she should come in or wait.
“You can come in. Just set your things down,” Tess said gently, forcing a smile.
This wasn’t the girl’s fault.
After all, this had nothing to do with the young girl in front of her. She was a mother now–and whenever she looked at someone so young, so untouched by the world, she couldn’t help but feel a little more patient, a little more forgiving.
Still, the whole situation had hit her out of nowhere. And that dry, forced smile on her face? It looked more like she was about to cry.
“Th–thank you.”
The girl nodded shyly and wheeled her bags past Tess, avoiding the empty bed and sitting down near the one beside it.
Tess glanced toward her sleeping baby, then turned and marched straight to the management office.
“I’m sorry, but the decision’s final. It’s already been signed off”
Vanessa shoved a stamped document across the desk.
Tess picked it up, scanning the contents. It was a formal termination notice.
“But we signed a contract. What you’re doing is a violation of—”
Bang!
Vanessa slammed her cup down hard. Her bored look vanished.
“You wanna lecture me on labor laws?
1/3
10 43 PM
Chapter 23 No Room for You
+10 Free Coins
“Tess, let’s be real. Everyone else in the dorms? They’re full–time employees. On the books. You? You’re just a temp.
“Now, if you leave quietly, you’ll still get your paycheck for the month. Make a scene, and it’s not gonna end well–for either of us.”
She met Tess’s eyes directly. No subtlety in the threat.
Tess’s whole body trembled. Her chest rose and fell as she tried to steady herself.
The truth was, Tess didn’t have much ground to stand on. She was technically still in a probationary period. Even if she tried to sue for wrongful dismissal, that would take weeks, if not months. And who had the time or money to fight that battle?
She sucked in a slow breath.
“The paperwork’s already been stamped—changing it now wouldn’t be easy. Besides, you’ve already seen the girl taking your place.
“She’s an orphan. Poor kid. This world’s full of people with hard lives–it’s not just you.
Do you understand?”
Seeing Tess start to waver, Vanessa switched tactics, softening his tone.
“Think about your child,” she said. “At least we’ve made sure you’re getting this month’s paycheck.”
That’s right–there was still Layla.
She was running low on formula and diapers again.
“My paycheck for this month…”
She pressed her lips together, her eyes shining with defiance.
“It’s already been transferred. Now pack and go.”
Curt
Vanessa’s voice relaxed, but her eyes openly sizing Tess up now. It made Tess’s skin crawl.
Still, she held it together. She needed to find a place to stay. A new job. Fast.
Without another word, she turned and walked
Vanessa watched her leave, her half–lidded eyes gleaming through the steam of her teacup–part amused, part smug.
Ballsy. Marching in here to make a scene.
If Riven hadn’t personally asked her to help smooth things over, she wouldn’t have even bothered.
She glanced down at the termination paperwork and then tossed it in the trash..
As for the orphan girl? Total fiction. Riven made that part up and told the new–girl to play the part.
He’d also warned her that Tess might be connected to Finn somehow.
Not that she believed it.
A broke single mom working sanitation and raising a kid? With Finn, Aetheris’s wealthiest man? Please.
She scoffed under her breath, already thinking about what to eat for dinner.
Tess returned to the dorm to find bags and boxes piled just outside the door.
Her eyes narrowed. She stepped closer. It was all her stuff. Hers and Layla’s.
The fire in her chest reignited on the spot. Without thinking, she rushed inside.
2/3
10:43 PM
Chapter 23 No Room for You
There was the new girl–holding Layla, looking unsure of where to put her.
“What are you doing?!” Tess shouted.
