You've seen this movie before. Unsupported PM on impossible project with politically cowardly sponsor. You know how it ends.
You type up your resignation letter. Professional, brief, grateful for the opportunity. You cite "pursuing other opportunities" and offer three months notice as per your contract.
You hit send.
The CTO calls within the hour. "This is very sudden. Is there anything we can do to retain you?"
"Change the timeline to 18 months and properly resource the project."
Long pause. "You know we can't do that."
"Then no, there's nothing you can do."
Week 1 of notice period: The team finds out you're leaving. Morale craters. Two developers immediately start job hunting. Your Scrum Master asks if they should still schedule sprint planning.
Week 4: The CTO asks you to "give 110% during your notice period." You smile and nod. You're giving maybe 40%.
Week 6: Stakeholders stop listening to you. "Why should we follow your roadmap when you're abandoning us?" Marketing says this in a meeting. You let it slide.
Week 8: Your replacement is hired. They're enthusiastic. They believe the six-month timeline is "aggressive but achievable." You want to warn them. You don't. They'll learn.
Week 10: You're a ghost. You attend meetings but contribute nothing. You watch the project slowly disintegrate. It's fascinating in a morbid way.
Week 12: Your last day. The CTO thanks you for your "service" and wishes you well. No mention of Phoenix's obvious trajectory toward failure.
You hand over documentation your replacement won't read. You leave your laptop on your desk and walk out.
Week 14: (at your new job) A former colleague texts you: "Phoenix crashed. 2 weeks after you left. They're blaming your 'incomplete handover.'"
You delete the message and go back to work. Not your problem anymore.