Chapter 4

By afternoon, the company's anonymous online forum was on fire.

The post didn't mention my name.

But every keyword—department, project, relocation, pregnant, miscarriage—hit me right in the face.

The comment section exploded faster than a powder keg.

I screenshotted the thread from the first page to the last.

Ten minutes later, my access to the project management system was revoked.

Tyler Carter was now listed as the lead for the European Energy Grid Project.

My application status for the European relocation turned gray.

I stared at the screen. I felt absolutely nothing.

I had already walked this path once in my past life.

Except back then, I was desperately trying to explain myself, begging people to check the security cameras, trying to prove to every colleague that I didn't push her.

But they only asked me one thing:

"Bella wouldn't lie about losing her baby, would she?"

But yes, she would.

In the evening, Emma Jenkins walked over with my coffee mug.

She placed it on the corner of my desk and said softly, "Chloe, maybe you shouldn't leave your mug in the breakroom for the next few days."

I looked up. "Why?"

Embarrassment flashed across her face.

"Everyone's a bit tense right now. You know... the miscarriage thing. It's a very sensitive topic."

"So even my mug is toxic now?"

She bit her lip. "That's not what I meant."

Tyler spun around in his chair.

"Chloe, can you stop being so aggressive? Bella lost her baby. Is it so wrong for everyone to be a little cautious?"

I looked at him. "Are you afraid my mug will make you miscarry too?"

His face flushed red. "You're twisting my words!"

"Then explain to me why my personal belongings can't be in the common area."

The office suddenly fell dead silent.

Because everyone always preferred to stand on the side that felt safer.

At 7:00 PM, Miranda called me into the conference room again.

This time, a "Mutual Separation Agreement" was laid out on the table.

Severance pay: Zero.

Confidentiality clauses: Twelve.

After scanning through it, I looked up at her.

"Miranda, is this a separation agreement or a hush-money contract?"

Miranda was expressionless.

"The company is offering you a way to leave with dignity."

"Zero severance is what you call dignity?"

"If you don't sign, Bella's family will sue you. The company will also terminate your contract based on our investigation. It won't look good on your resume."

She paused, softening her tone.

"Chloe, you're talented. It won't be hard for you to start fresh at another company."

In my past life, I believed her.

I thought if I just left the company, everything would blow over.

But the moment I left, the company pinned all the blame on me.

Bella and Marcus used my signature on the agreement to claim that I "admitted my guilt out of fear."

During the lawsuit, that very agreement became one of the final nails in my coffin.

This time, I pushed the agreement back.

"I'm not signing."

Miranda narrowed her eyes. "Chloe, don't burn your bridges."

I smiled slightly. "I didn't burn the bridge. You guys are trying to push me off it."

As I walked out of the conference room, I saw Marcus talking on the phone at the end of the hallway.

He was shouting.

"Yeah, she refuses to apologize."

"My wife might never be able to get pregnant again."

"This abusive manager needs to be exposed to the public!"

He saw me and glared at me with pure venom.

I took out my phone and tapped the record button right in front of his face. "Keep talking."

His face froze.

I walked right past him.

Behind me, Bella started sobbing again.

It felt like a perfectly rehearsed play.