8
As I left the office, a figure stumbled into
view.
Becky was being dragged away by security,
her clothes torn, her hair a mess.
She thrashed when she saw me.
く
“Susan!”
“This is all your fault!”
“You ruined my career! You ruined
everything!”
I kept my distance.
“Becky, you’ve got it all wrong.”
“You were fired because you were
incompetent.”
“Your ideas were stolen garbage from the
internet.”
Her face went pale.
く
“You only got the job in the first place
because you played the victim and milked
Michael for sympathy.”
“You’re a manipulative bitch who sleeps with
men to get ahead.”
“You thought you were untouchable because
Michael was protecting you. You are
garbage!”
Becky snapped.
“Shut up! I’ll kill you!”
She lunged, but security pulled her down.
I stepped towards her and stomped on her
hand.
く
“If you ever come near me again, I will make
you regret you were born.”
“You’re insignificant. You can pray.”
She screamed, collapsing into hysterics.
Security dragged her away.
That night, someone leaked compromising
photos of Becky.
She was back to her old tricks.
I hadn’t ordered it, but people were eager to
impress me.
Sterling’s father banned Becky, making her
unemployable.
Eventually, she returned to her old life.
Within a month, she was dead.
As for me, I signed three major deals, and my
company flourished.
I was named “Most Influential Entrepreneur”
of the year.
Michael began rebuilding Sterling Corp.
He appeared in business news, his eyes weary, his face lined.
9
Three years passed.
My company was booming
L
My company was booming, and my status as
a single female CEO made me a hot
commodity.
But my focus was on my career and my son,
James.
James was four years old, smart, happy, and
looked just like me when he smiled.
I made time for him, picking him up from
kindergarten every day.
I had a corner in my office filled with his toys.
“Mommy, when is Daddy coming to see me?”
James asked, his eyes hopeful.
Г
I checked my calendar.
“It’s your birthday in two days. I’m sure he’ll
bring you a present.”
Michael had visitation rights twice a month.
He always showed up, bearing gifts and trying
to make up for lost time.
I never interfered.
Over the past three years, Sterling Corp had
slowly recovered.
It wasn’t what it used to be, but it was stable.
Michael and I occasionally crossed paths at
industry events. We nodded, nothing more.
Г
On James’s fourth birthday, I threw a small
party at home.
That afternoon, the doorbell rang.
Michael stood outside, holding a large box.
“Birthday present.”
I took the gift and nodded.
“I’ll be back in three hours.”
Michael nodded, watching me leave.
He’d made it clear he wanted to get back
together.
He brought up the past.
He’d made it clear he wanted to get back
together.
He brought up the past.
He lingered after seeing James.
He’d even asked friends to tell me he still
loved me.
I rejected him every time.
Some things can’t be fixed.
My life was good. I was successful, my son
was healthy, and I was free.
