Merlina was halfway through replying to a donor email when the message from HR appeared in the corner of her screen.
Please report to Human Resources immediately.
No subject line. No greeting. Just that one line, precise and clinical.
She stared at it for a moment, a small, inexplicable tremor in her stomach. Then she locked her screen, smoothed her skirt, and walked down the corridor.
The HR office was quiet, too quiet, as if the air itself knew something she didn't.
Diane from HR didn't smile when Merlina walked in. Her eyes flicked to a folder on the desk, then back to Merlina. "Please, have a seat Ms. Sanchez."
Something about her tone: soft, rehearsed, and apologetic made Merlina's heart pick up a beat.
When the words came, they didn't make sense at first. "I regret to inform you, effective immediately, Safe Haven is terminating your employment."
Merlina blinked. "I'm sorry, what?"
