I Slept With My Ex. Now He's My Vengeful Boss?

ie'

as gripping the fabric of my pencil skirt while

e click of my heels on the marbled floo

ned the door. The head of HR

mmers, c

y head an

ppen to Thraia and me if I lost this high-payin

leaned on her swivel chair as she

ss from he

of the incident between

thinking clearly. If you give me another chance

gently. "That's n

skipped a beat. I fixed my

more neutral, almost professional. "After reviewing your performance

r, breath caug

ra

happened? It felt too

ally efficient employee. We don't want to lose someone with your dedicati

repeated, still proces

e everything. This

re as an expanded role, Ms. Summers. I

"Could you clarify what th

y. "If you accept, you'll be on call for the CEO around the c

ersonal a

oze as I was ren

lready suffocated me. And now I'd have

n my mind, each one

was to stand and

who already promised to r

ocument she'd been reviewing across the desk. My e

fold i

pped the fabri

inside my head, keeping me worried all the time.

ealth rushed to the surface as I

hands trembling slightly. "May I

ours. But I'd advise you to accept. Opp

ecutive floor with m

ear against need, pride against survival. Thankfully, Thorn didn't summon

aight home and cooked

hed heavily. My little girl was onl

so yummy!" she b

ull of simple joy and optimism. Her giggles echoed i

h a sweet smile, catching me lookin

hat moment, my heart ma

would always

atments. I could even start saving for her surgery. I was willin

thed Thraia and tu

onight?" she asked quietly, just

ing at her. "N

e. "You don't have

back gently. "Tonig

l hand warm against my skin. "Mommy, you don'

n old lullaby, I kissed her forehead and let her

ed up my phone and drafted a for

do my job well, avoid trouble, and keep my head down

slow breath. Just then, my phone chi

t f

, another notification buzzed. This

pick

rt stu

explanation. J

m-and I knew I had no right to refuse.

Thraia sleeping. I'd promised I would

ck before s

oor, asked her to keep an ear out fo

my phone, mind racing thro

a sleek two-story building. But when my eyes landed on the

inted glass façade, the heavy doors

nse of recogniti

cale club where every

picked up

the next morning