From Secret Lover To Shining Star

ched water glass a stark symbol of my new resolve. I wasn't waiting for him. I wasn't waiting for anything from him anymore. I finishe

s thick with whispered conversations, furtive glances. My supervisor, a kindly woman named

ank. I' d always excelled, always exceeded expectations. This year, I' d been hoping for the long-promised promot

aign for the new tech gadget was a massive success. But... it was denied. Again." She ran a hand through her short, practical hair. "Corporate overruled me. They said..

. For ten years, I had poured my heart and soul into this company, into this role, believing it was my path to a future with Arthur, a future where I would be his equal. He h

eady. "I won't be taking over your role." I reached into my bag, pulled o

what are you talking about? You've been he

dication, my love would eventually be recognized. I delivered stellar results, year after year." I remembered the countless late nights, the weekends spent refining pr

. A vague excuse about "restructuring," a sudden "freeze on new management roles

re wonderful, truly. But perhaps you're just not... cut out for management. It requires a certain ruthlessness, a capacity for strat

gic reports, my market analyses. But he' d just patted my hand, a patronizing smile on hi

me. He didn't want a partner. He wanted a pretty, compliant ornament, one he could keep safely in a junior role, dependent

. "It's time to move on," I said, my voice firm despite the tremor in

a mixture of sympathy and confusion. "Are

chest was a dull throb, a constant reminder of a decade wasted. All I had ever wanted was a family, a home, a career that recognized my hard work. All I ha

Brenda could see the tears finally escaping, hot and stinging, down my cheeks. I fled, needing