Chapter 21 - I quit
The employment matter ended separately.
Victor offered me a different role.
Not housemaid.
Administrative position with the foundation archive.
Better salary.
I almost laughed.
“No.”
He looked surprised.
“You need work.”
“Yes.”
“I’m offering it.”
“I know.”
“Why no?”
Because eleven years of my life had been spent measuring my footsteps in his house.
Because every chandelier reminded me of the gala.
Because I could not teach Chloe to stop fearing powerful people while I remained professionally dependent on the same man.
“I need somewhere you’re not my employer.”
Victor accepted.
No threat.
No blacklist.
My paid leave ended.
I received accrued benefits and a modest severance under the employment settlement.
Then I was unemployed at thirty-nine.
Terrifying.
The $2.4 million copyright settlement was not yet final.
Legal payments take time.
I still needed health insurance.
Rent.
Normal life.
I found work at a university music library.
Lower prestige than Blackwood House.
Better air.
I cataloged donated scores and archives.
The first week, nobody asked me to carry champagne.
I almost missed the certainty of uniforms.
May you like
Then I did not.
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