His Last Command Came Back to Kill Him novel Chapter 159

Honestly, Whitley wasn't sweating the rejection.

When your R&D is undeniable, the money eventually follows.

As the summit wrapped up, Zinnia Kensington threw an arm around Whitley's shoulders, practically buzzing with energy. "Tomorrow is Saturday. You're officially off the clock. Come grab some drinks with me. You need to decompress."

Whitley offered a faint smile and shook her head, tracing the edge of her folder. "I can't. I'm taking Tessa to the equestrian club."

"You're playing babysitter again?" Zinnia groaned, looking deeply offended on Whitley's behalf. "You pull eighty-hour weeks on this project, and you spend your weekends hauling a kid to riding lessons? Don't you ever just want to turn off your brain and have fun?"

Whitley's fingers stalled. She lowered her eyes, masking a sudden wave of bitterness.

For years, her time hadn't belonged to her.

She hadn't even been allowed to choose who she cared about.

For the sake of that toxic marriage, she had abandoned the frontlines of research, revolving her entire existence around Clive and the Sherwood family. She had sacrificed her dreams and her dignity, only to be left with absolutely nothing.

She refused to make that mistake again.

"My time goes where it's valued," Whitley said, looking up. "I love this work. Being back in the lab, fighting for this project—that is fun for me."

"As for Tessa, her parents are swamped, and she's a great kid. The Zimmerman family treats me like gold. Helping her grow and teaching her new things? That's what a real life feels like."

Balancing the work she loved with people who actually gave a damn about her—that was more than enough.

Seeing the fierce, unshakeable light in Whitley's eyes, Zinnia's frustration melted into respect. "Fair enough. Everyone recharges differently. As long as you're happy."

"Thanks," Whitley smiled.

The next morning, Whitley was up before the sun.

She moved around the kitchen with practiced ease, frying up eggs and toast, and pouring fresh milk.

She had blocked Clive ages ago, but in the chaos, she had forgotten to block the kid.

Without a second thought, she clicked Leroy's profile and hit 'Block'.

She was done. The Sherwoods, their mind games, their toxicity—she was wiping them completely off her radar.

"I'm ready!"

Tessa practically skipped into the kitchen, decked out in crisp white riding gear, her face glowing with excitement. "I want to try a new course today! My coach said I'm getting really good. Can I try jumping?"

The pure, unfiltered joy in the kid's eyes was contagious.

Whitley felt the heavy smog in her chest instantly clear out, replaced by a warm smile.

She stood up, adjusting Tessa's collar. "You can try, but safety first. You listen to exactly what the instructor says, and no showing off."