bathed in the glow of success, a multi-million dollar acquisition deal finally signed. Five years of my life, fiv

brate the victory. I held my breath in the cramped back room of the venue, my heart pounding aga

lliant, camera-ready smile

e to announce my engagement to the bri

, the daughter of his lead investor. The pol

sn' t

ued, his voice dripping with condescension. "A clout-chasing groupie. She was good for

t. I felt the blood drain from my face, my hands turning

found my phone. I pulled up

t was

st th

ame back

his way. Com

erky movement. It was over. The five-ye

agne and victory. He didn't say a word, just pulled me into a rough, desperate embrace. His hands were all over me, his mouth

lumpy mattress we sha

hair. "I'll get you a house, a car, a severance check. Enough to live comf

or old times' sake. But then his phone buzzed

e's having a severe anxiety a

cond, pulling on his pants.

e said, already h

soft knock. It was his personal assistant, a young man who alwa

to give you this," he

al, brutal confirmation of what I was to him. A