Chapter 4 There Must Be A Balance

Elsie's POV

Kicking the blanket off my body, the morning chill woke me, I had a terrible migraine, as expected because I kept tossing and turning throughout the night. I tried getting more sleep but couldn't.

That night only strengthened my resolve to move out as soon as possible. This house, the bed, and the memories they held were messed up by what I saw.

I jumped right up, ready to continue from where I stopped yesterday. Sitting on the edge of the bed I forced myself to start packing.

It took an endless series of arranging, collecting, and separating my things from his. He would collect them the moment he knew the house wasn't his again.

I moved to my new house the same day after I settled down, I hadn't arranged everything vividly but at least I had everything in place.

I called my boss, Mr Cleveland, and informed me of my resignation.

"Elise, this is quite abrupt." He sounded grim and confused.

"Yes, I know it's sudden but I quit."

"I heard you the first time, what I did hear was why?"

"It's very complicated."

"You know this will be a severe blow to the company, I'm not going to act like it doesn't bother me."

Here was the tricky part, he was going to use everything he had to convince me to stay.

"What do you need? I will implement a raise." He sounded determined.

"It's not about money."

"Double your current salary. In fact an additional percentage from the company's profit."

I knew he was willing to go far to keep me but this was truly a long toll. The thought of such terms had me thinking of how desperate he must be to offer such to me.

"I really appreciate the offer but I can't stay."

Daniel's words echoed in my mind, there was no way I was going to ever be comfortable in that office. It was never going to happen.

"You really have made up your mind and there is nothing I can do right?" He said finally.

"Yes."

"Turn in your resignation letter."

"I apologize for the inconvenience."

"Just know you are always welcome to come back."

With that he ended the call, releasing a breath I didn't know I was holding, I felt a burden lifted off my back.

With the new changes in my life, I had to tell my parents before they heard it from other unreliable sources. I dreaded the reaction I would get when I told them.

I didn't know what to expect, disappointment, anger, resentment, or just fury.

After a few hours, I arrived at the mansion owned by my parents, this was going to be a long day. Stepping out of my car, I prepared myself for the worst.

"Elise." My mother called out. "What a lovely surprise, we weren't expecting you."

The familiar interior of the sitting room where I spent my childhood made me relax a bit.

"Mom." My heart felt tender at the sight of my mother, I hugged her tightly and kissed her neck.

"What's wrong?" I felt her body tense as I hugged her. "Want to talk about it?"

I nodded, as we sat down. My father entered as though he knew what was happening.

"My precious."

"Dad."

This was it, I was going to tell them everything that happened and I prepared myself for their response.

"How's work been going lately."

"The same old same."

"I sometimes miss the courtroom but it's good to relax and rest."

"And Daniel?" My mother asked. "Is he busy? You always come with him."

"That's why I'm here."

I watched them closely as I told them how me and Daniel were getting a divorce, how I quit and got a new job. Moving to a new house and all the changes.

My mother didn't say anything but held my hand tighter, I know it was all a shock and she was still thinking of what to say.

The silence that filled the room was heavy, it was like the whole place was on a pause.

"Elsie." I knew that tone, he used it when he was about to pass judgment on something he felt right about.

My father is a retired Chief Judge in the Supreme Court of law, he was my inspiration for getting into law school and becoming an attorney. I braced myself for the words that were to come.

"I have always told you to be careful, you put your job above your marriage, now see how it has ended."

"You are the one that had always taught me to be ambitious."

"And I don't deny it but there must be a balance."

I opened my mouth to speak but my emotions choked my throat and mom squeezed my hand tighter, signaling me to hold myself together.

I knew he would be like this, it wasn't about my job, Daniel just didn't care about me like that. If only my father knew what he was planning to do with my money he wouldn't be saying such.

"I came to tell you guys about everything, I hope you will understand my respect my decision."

I just didn't want to argue, I had already made up my mind not to make this a heated conversation.

I waited for the backlash but surprisingly, nothing came. Taking that as an opportunity, I got up to leave.

"Elise, I just hope you won't regret this."

"Trust me, Dad, I won't," I said with a lot of determination.

I rushed out of the room before my emotions would slip and I would break down in front of my parents, especially my father.

I didn't want them to think I was weak, and that I couldn't handle things by myself. I was more than capable of doing a lot more than that.

As sat in my car, I pressed my head on the wheel, took a deep breath, and after collecting myself. I drove home.

Daniel was going to regret ruining my life and betraying me the way he did. I was going to make sure I survived this struggle without losing anything.