Sunlight streamed through the cream-white curtains and landed right on her eyes. She squinted and turned her face away, trying to block the light with her hand.
"Seo-yeon!"
Her mom's voice came up the stairs.
"Won't you get up now? You'll be late. Or have you forgotten that you said you'd be quitting your job today?"
Seo-yeon sprang up in bed. "Oh gosh!" She threw off the blanket. "Mom, I forgot! Thank God you reminded me!"
She jumped out of bed and ran into the bathroom. She splashed cold water on her face, brushed her teeth, then took a quick bath, careful not to slip on the wet floor. Her mom's voice in her head said "Don't run, you're pregnant," so she slowed down halfway through, then sped up again when she saw the clock. She pulled on a plain blouse and a skirt, tied her hair back and grabbed her bag.
When she got downstairs, her parents were sitting at the breakfast table. Her dad was reading his newspaper, and her mom was pouring tea.
"Baby, won't you come and have breakfast?" her mom said.
"Mom, I don't have time. I'm already late. Even if I'm quitting, I can't be late on my last day."
"At least eat a slice of toast before you go."
"Okay, okay, Mom."
She picked up a slice from the plate, took a bite and headed for the door.
"Seo-yeon," her mom called. "Did you take your vitamins?"
"Yes, Mom."
"Did you drink your milk?"
"I'll drink it later."
"You'll drink it now." Her mom was already holding out a glass. Seo-yeon gulped it down, made a face and handed it back.
"Good girl."
"Seo-yeon," her dad said, lowering his newspaper. "Mr. Cha will take you to the office. He's waiting outside."
"Okay, Daddy!"
"And if that boss gives you any trouble..."
"Daddy."
"I'm only saying."
"I love you both," she said, laughing, and ran out of the door.
---
Mr. Cha, the family driver, was standing beside a black car with the back door already open. He was a gray-haired man in his sixties who had driven her to school when she was a child.
"Good morning, Miss Han."
"Good morning, Mr. Cha. Sorry for the rush."
"No problem. Please buckle up."
She finished her toast on the way, one hand on her stomach, watching the city go by.
"Your mother told me about the news," Mr. Cha said after a while, glancing at her in the mirror. "Congratulations."
"She told you?"
"She told the whole house. The housekeeper is already knitting something."
Seo-yeon laughed. "Of course she did."
"Your father has been quiet, though. Whenever I try to talk to him, he just says 'Hmm.'"
"That's how he is when he's happy."
"I know," Mr. Cha said, smiling. "I've driven him for thirty years."
She leaned her head against the window. She had taken this road every day for three years. She knew every traffic light and every bakery. It felt strange to know it was the last time.
When the car pulled up in front of the building, Mr. Cha turned around.
"I'll wait here, Miss Han."
"You don't have to. It might take a while."
"I'll wait," he said. "Your father's orders."
She shook her head with a smile and got out.
---
The office was already busy. Phones were ringing, keyboards clattered, and someone was arguing with the printer. Seo-yeon walked past her desk without stopping. She could see Lisa at the next desk, typing with her phone tucked between her ear and shoulder. Lisa glanced up and raised her eyebrows.
*Later,* Seo-yeon mouthed.
She went straight to the team leader's room and knocked.
"Come in."
"Good morning, team leader."
"Good morning, Miss Han. Please, have a seat."
"Thank you, ma'am."
Seo-yeon sat down on the edge of the chair and put her bag on her lap. Her hands were cold. She had practiced what she was going to say in the car, but now every word had flown out of her head.
"Ma'am, I'm sorry for this sudden decision," she said. "I came to tell you that I'm going to resign."
The team leader put down her pen. "You're resigning? Why? You're one of the best workers we have here."
"I'm sorry, ma'am. I have a family emergency at home. That's why I'm quitting."
"I see." The team leader looked at her for a moment. "Are you sure you don't want to take a leave instead and come back later? It would be a real pity to watch you leave. You've put so much effort into getting to where you are."
Seo-yeon smiled. "Thank you, ma'am. But the decision isn't only about me. I have to think about other people too. I don't have the time to juggle work and my family situation right now."
The team leader nodded slowly. "Then I won't try to change your mind. Best of luck to you, Seo-yeon."
"Thank you, ma'am."
"If you've made your choice, write your resignation letter and send it to the HR team."
"Yes, ma'am."
She stood up, bowed and walked out of the office.
---
At her desk, she opened a blank document and stared at the screen. *Dear HR Manager,* she typed. Then she deleted it and typed it again.
She wrote three lines, read them over, and deleted two. She had never written a resignation letter before. She wrote *I am writing to formally resign from my position, effective immediately,* and then added *I am grateful for the opportunities I have received during my time here.* It was short and simple. She read it twice, fixed one comma and clicked send.
She leaned back in her chair and let out a breath.
"So it's true," Lisa said, rolling her chair over. "You're really leaving?"
"I just sent the letter."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I only decided this week," Seo-yeon said. "And I told the team leader it's a family emergency."
"Is everything okay?"
Seo-yeon hesitated. She thought about telling her about the babies, but the words wouldn't come. "It's okay. It's a good thing, I promise. I'll tell you everything soon."
Lisa narrowed her eyes. "You're glowing. Are you in love?"
"What? No."
"You are glowing."
"It's the morning sun."
"Mmm-hmm," Lisa said, unconvinced. Then she hugged her, tight and sudden. "I'm going to miss you. Who's going to cover for me when I'm late?"
"You'll survive."
"I won't." Lisa pulled back and wiped her eyes. "Promise me we'll still have lunch."
"I promise."
"And you'll tell me everything."
"I promise."
---
The HR office was on the third floor. A man with round glasses took her letter, read it, and asked her to sign two forms. He told her that her final paycheck would be processed in two weeks and that she could return her ID card to the front desk.
"Thank you for your three years of service, Miss Han," he said.
"Thank you, sir."
She signed the forms, took one last look at the floor, and went downstairs. At the front desk, she handed over her ID card. The receptionist smiled and wished her well.
She stepped out of the building and stood on the sidewalk for a moment. The air felt different. Lighter, somehow.
Mr. Cha was still waiting by the car. He opened the door when he saw her.
"All done, Miss Han?"
"All done," she said.
She got in, buckled her seatbelt and placed both hands on her stomach.
"That's one thing finished," she thought.