The Year She Stopped Being Crazy for Him novel Chapter 20

Hassan kept his eyes fixed on Natalie's retreating figure, remaining entirely silent.

His friends standing behind him chimed in. "Why are you apologizing, Kara? You've been friends with Gardenia for a decade. After hearing Natalie constantly bash her impairment, a single slap is letting her off easy."

Noticing that Hassan was still staring at the doorway, Kara frowned. "Do you think Natalie is going to throw a fit and quit? Should I go explain it to her? Gardenia and I actually choreographed this routine years ago. She just wants to fulfill our final dream together; she didn't mean to hurt her."

"There's no need," Hassan replied, his voice laced with apathy.

"Kara, don't worry about Natalie. You couldn't drag her away if you tried. Ten years ago, Hassan casually mentioned she had a good figure for dancing, and she spent all the time practicing like a maniac. She's never once talked about quitting. If she walked away from this industry, it would mean she was walking away from him too, and we all know that's never going to happen."

None of them believed she would actually abandon dancing.

"Exactly. She'll crawl right back on her own. Just ignore her."

"Look, she's already back. Told you she couldn't stay away."

Natalie had indeed returned, but she was clutching a crisp envelope in her hand. She handed it directly to the head director. "Thank you for everything over the past four years. This is my official resignation."

The moment the words left her mouth, a stunned silence descended over the room. Everyone stared at her in utter disbelief.

What did she just say? Was she seriously quitting?

"Natalie, have you lost your mind? You're quitting?" Even her biggest haters were too shocked to gloat.

One of the men scoffed dismissively. "Playing the victim isn't going to work. Hassan isn't going to fire Gardenia just to coax you back, so save the theatrics."

They immediately convinced themselves it was just another pathetic manipulation tactic.

"Yeah, exactly! If you actually quit now, don't expect to come crying to Hassan begging for your spot back later. You'll be locked out for good."

Natalie merely smiled. "Good. I'm not coming back."

They froze.

Natalie beamed, completely unbothered by his rage. She looked at the director. "He approved it, so I'll be on my way. I officially have nothing to do with this place anymore. I've already deleted myself from all the company group chats while I was in the locker room."

She gave a polite nod and turned to walk out the door.

Kara suddenly interjected, "Natalie! Gardenia just..."

Hassan coldly cut her off. "Let her leave. She never had any talent for dancing to begin with."

Another painful thorn pierced Natalie's heart, but she expertly feigned indifference. "You're exactly right. I don't have any talent. I think it's time I stick to what I'm actually good at."

He lowered his eyes, his thin lips parting to deliver a ruthlessly cutting remark. "What you're good at? Eating, sleeping, and wasting time?"

One of the guys snickered. "The only thing you're good at is clinging to Hassan. You're not actually going back to being a full-time housewife, are you?"

What she was truly good at was a secret she couldn't reveal just yet. Without offering them a single word in response, Natalie turned on her heel and walked out.