Chapter 3The Golden Exit

We had been together for over a decade. No matter how disappointed I was, I had never threatened to leave.

Sarah stared at me, eyes wide with shock.

"Liam, are you insane? Do you know what you're saying?"

Her shock quickly turned to anger. "We are inches away from the revenue goal I promised. Just 300 more closings and we hit the target. If you mess this up now, I won't give you a second chance!"

I didn't waste another breath. I walked out.

When I got home, my phone rang. It was my dad.

"Liam! Are you out of your mind?" he screamed the moment I picked up. "How dare you fight with Sarah? Go apologize to her right now!"

"You're a man in his thirties! You have what you have because of her! Don't be ungrateful!"

His voice dropped lower. "Sarah is young, beautiful, and rich. A woman like that sticking with you for twelve years is a blessing! If you piss her off, who’s going to want you? You need a capable woman to hold you up. Go beg for forgiveness and lock down that marriage. Stop acting like a child!"

"Without Sarah, you are nothing!"

I held the phone away from my ear, laughing bitterly.

For years, Sarah had bought my dad's loyalty with cheap gifts—cigarettes, whiskey, a red envelope here and there. He treated her like a savior and me like a parasite.

"Dad," I said calmly. "I'm done listening."

I hung up.

I opened my phone to the client group chat.

[Me: Everyone, I have officially resigned from Sterling Estates. If you have any real estate needs in the future, you can find me personally.]

Less than a minute later, the group exploded.

[Mr. Henderson: Liam is leaving? What about our escrow? I only trust you, Liam. I don't trust that company.]

[Mrs. Lee: Exactly. We chose Sterling because of your expertise. If you go, we go.]

[TechCEO_Mike: I don't care what logo is on your business card. I follow the talent. Liam, wherever you land, let us know.]

[InvestCorp_J: My deal hasn't closed yet. Liam, tell me where to sign the cancellation papers. I'll move the portfolio to your new firm.]

Messages poured in. No doubts. Just unconditional trust.

Twelve years of devotion meant nothing to Sarah. But to these clients, my honesty meant everything.

It wasn't that my efforts were wasted. It was just that Sarah wasn't worthy of them.

I wiped a tear from my eye and typed: [Thank you all for the trust. Once I settle on my next move, you will be the first to know.]