Chapter 1

Snow drifted past the window in fine flurries.

My father, Richard Carter, stood in his cashmere coat, checking if any bags had been left behind.

"Swiss winters are brutal on the skin—don't forget the moisturizer I just bought."

My mother Diana was directing my sister Emma.

"Got it."

Emma stuffed the skincare into her suitcase.

"What about Jack? Still messing with the skis?"

"All set."

Jack walked out carrying two ski bags. He took a sip of coffee from the mug on the table and said to my father, "Mr. Carter, the car'll be here in fifteen."

My father nodded, then his gaze landed on me.

"Chloe, I've already talked to security—no visitors will bother you over the holidays. Year-end is the busiest time for Legal. Staying to work will look good for your future promotion. Besides, the whole family going to Switzerland isn't cheap. You staying saves us some money."

He said it like he was handing down a memo at the office. Leaving his eldest daughter out of a family trip, delivered in that same flat tone.

"Yeah, Chloe. Your father's right. You'll have peace and quiet here—no distractions while you work."

My mother zipped up the last suitcase.

"Besides, Emma just finished her exams. We need to take her out to unwind."

"Hey sis, don't forget to feed the cat. Food's in the left cabinet by the kitchen."

Emma stood up too, stretching lazily.

This was the third Christmas in a row they'd left me behind.

First year, my father said his friend's vacation house in Florida only slept four.

Last year, he said Hawaii was a last-minute decision and they couldn't get an extra ticket.

This year, they didn't even bother with a real excuse—just my job, just saving money.

The past two years, I'd tried to reason with him. Tried to get my mother to speak up for me.

But today? I had nothing left to say.

Jack walked over to me.

"Chloe, don't make things awkward. Mr. Carter's looking out for you. And honestly, I speak German—they're going skiing in Switzerland, they'd be lost without a translator."

He made it sound so reasonable.

Like he was staying behind for them, not abandoning me.

In this family, my father's word was law.

And my fiancé Jack clearly wasn't about to defy him for my sake.

"It's fine," I said. "Go."

"Good, Chloe. You're finally learning to see things maturely."

My father nodded, satisfied.

"We'll be back in two weeks."

A horn blared from downstairs.

They didn't look back at me.

My father led the way. My mother walked arm-in-arm with Emma behind him. Jack brought up the rear, hauling luggage.

The door clicked shut. The apartment fell silent.

Minutes later, the cab downstairs disappeared into the snow.

I watched that car vanish around the corner, poured Jack's half-finished coffee down the sink, and turned into the study.

The position of Legal Director at a multinational firm—that took six years of blood and sweat.

It gave me a fat paycheck, and this rent-free executive apartment in the heart of the city.

I'd clung to this job to prove my worth to my father. To earn a voice in this family.

Now it all felt like a joke.

I picked up my phone and dialed Legal Director David.

"Chloe? It's Christmas Eve—I figured you'd be off."

"David, sorry to bother you on vacation."

I stared at the snow piling up outside, paused for a moment, then said,

"I'm calling to formally submit my resignation."

Silence on the line. When David spoke again, his tone turned serious.

"Resignation? Chloe, you can't be serious. You've been handling the year-end M&A deal beautifully—the board's already got you on the shortlist for partner next year. If it's salary or time off, we can talk."

"No, it's not about the money. You've been a great boss—truly."

I thought of my father's entitled stare. Jack's flimsy words dressed up as consideration.

"I just... suddenly realized I've been walking down the wrong road all these years. I need to stop. Start over. Completely."

David heard the finality in my voice and let out a sigh.

"You know Legal can't afford to lose you. This is a huge blow."

His voice carried genuine regret.

"But I respect your decision. If you ever want to come back, the door's always open."

"Thank you, David."

"I'll process your paperwork the moment we're back from the holidays. The official effective date is two weeks from now."

"Great. Merry Christmas, David."

"Merry Christmas, Chloe. Good luck."

I hung up and dialed the head of corporate property security.

"Paul, this is Chloe Carter from Legal."

"Ms. Carter. How can I help you?"

"I've submitted my resignation to the Director. The paperwork takes effect in two weeks."

I kept my voice calm and clear.

"I need Security to deactivate all key card access to my apartment at noon on that date—exactly two weeks from today. And send a team to take over the property."

Paul paused on the other end. Executives don't usually rush the property handover like this.

"Understood, ma'am. I'll set the date in the system as per protocol."

"No grace period. Two weeks from now, whoever shows up with my key card—turn them away."

"Got it, Ms. Carter."

I hung up and looked around the empty apartment.

Two weeks from now. The day they'd come back from Switzerland.

"Can't wait to see the look on your faces, my dear family."