Confused, I sat.

What’s Callie doing here?

The smile I had worn moments ago faded as I glanced between them.

“I don’t want to drag this out,” Mr. Thornton started, flipping through some papers on his desk. “We have an issue. Callie here brought to my attention that the project you submitted last week… wasn’t entirely yours.”

I blinked, not understanding.

“What do you mean? Of course, it’s mine. I’ve been working on it for nearly a year.”

I turned to look at Callie, disbelief swirling in my chest.

“I’m sorry, Alice,” she began, her voice dripping with insincerity.

“But this idea was mine. I submitted the proposal two weeks ago. The concept, the details… they’re all mine. I don’t know how you got a hold of it, but I can’t let this slide.”

I stared at her, my mind reeling.

“That’s impossible. I’ve been working on this for months, Callie! You weren’t even here when I started. How could it be yours?”

Mr. Thornton leaned forward, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“Alice, I’ve reviewed the submissions. Callie’s project came in first, with all the detailed information. I’m sorry, but it looks like you’ve taken her work.”

“I didn’t steal anything. This is my project. I’ve worked on it from the beginning. You know that.”

Callie tilted her head, feigning sympathy. “I didn’t want it to come to this, but… well, I had no choice.”

“Mr. Thornton, this is a mistake. Please, let me explain…”

“I’m afraid there’s nothing to explain,” he interrupted, standing up. “Given the situation, we have no choice but to let you go.”

I felt as if the floor had been ripped out from beneath me.

Fired? Just like that?

“Callie, you can leave now,” Mr. Thornton said, giving her a nod.

She stood gracefully, offering me a sad smile before exiting the office. The door closed softly behind her, but the sound echoed in my ears.

I turned back to Mr. Thornton.

“You can’t seriously believe this. You’ve seen my work. You know what I’m capable of.”

“I’m sorry, Alice. The evidence is stacked against you.”

Without another word, I stood up, my legs shaky as I walked out of the office. My head was spinning.

How could this be happening? How had she pulled this off?

I stumbled into the bathroom, my reflection in the mirror almost unrecognizable. I splashed water on my face, trying to calm the whirlwind of emotions.

How could Callie have known all the details?

Then, like a bolt of lightning, it hit me. Harris. My husband. He was the only one who had access to the project.

Could he… betray me?

I grabbed my bag and rushed straight home. The need for answers was burning inside me.

***

Harris had always been so attentive, so thoughtful. He would surprise me with flowers and little notes, even bringing my favorite coffee home after work.

It was these small acts of kindness that made me feel guilty for even doubting him at first. But now, with everything going on at work, I couldn’t ignore the nagging suspicion growing inside me.

Lately, he’d been “working late” more often. He’d go on business trips, sometimes staying overnight at the office, and when I asked him about it, he’d brush it off.

“Just busy, you know how it is.”

Harris was in the shower. I immediately started searching for proof. I combed through his things—his jacket pockets, his briefcase, and eventually, his phone.

That’s when I found it. A restaurant receipt from a night he’d told me he was working late. Wine, lobsters for two, desserts for two. He hadn’t been with colleagues. It’s obvious.

I kept digging into his phone. He was careful, but not careful enough. My worst fears were confirmed. Harris helped Callie to steal my project. She was his mistress!

It hurt, but I refused to fall apart. Harris and Callie thought they could destroy me, both personally and professionally. But I wasn’t going to let them. I had other plans.

***

My last day at the office felt surreal. I had spent years walking through these halls, pouring my heart into every project, but today was different. Today, I had a plan.

The farewell party was set, and I had personally invited all my colleagues, including Callie. My husband also agreed to support me.

My boss, Mr. Thornton, had been a tougher sell, but I knew exactly how to get him on board.

“Look, Mr. Thornton,” I had said with a calm smile, “there are some things I’m going to reveal that could seriously affect your reputation if you’re not present.”

“I don’t know what you’ve cooked up this time, Alice, but I’ll be there.”

And that was all I needed. The stage was set. Every detail of this party had been meticulously planned—just like my projects always had been.

As guests gathered in the conference room, the air buzzed with casual conversation. People were laughing, sipping drinks, and offering well wishes for my “new adventures.”

I approached the front of the room.

“Thank you, everyone, for coming,” I began, my voice steady, though inside I was a storm of emotions.

“Before I leave, I wanted to share with you all something very special. This is my final project, the one I’ve been working on for the past year.”

I continued, my gaze sweeping over the room, making sure everyone was listening.

“This is the same project that you’ve heard about recently, the one that was… well, let’s say, subject to some controversy.”

I paused, letting the tension build.

“But today, I’m going to present the unique details, the parts that no one else could have known, because I kept them secret.”

I clicked the remote in my hand, and the screen behind me lit up with the first slide.

It showcased the core of my work, the installation concept that my boss had dismissed as “just an idea on paper.” But it wasn’t. I had been quietly building it all along.

Gasps filled the room as the actual installation appeared on the next slide. The room fell silent. Even Mr. Thornton, who had been leaning back, unimpressed, sat up straight, his eyes wide.

“I’ve been working with an investor on this project,” I said, watching Callie from the corner of my eye.

“And today, I’m proud to announce that we’re moving forward. Together.”

I motioned to the back of the room, where the investor I had personally brought on board stood up and waved. He confirmed everything I had said.

“This project is going forward, but only with Alice’s involvement.”

Callie’s face paled. She knew it was over. Without me, she couldn’t finish what she had stolen. But I wasn’t done yet.

I turned the pink lights for the bigger effect and presented the final surprise. It was a big cake with a photo of Harris and Callie on it. Together. There were letters on top, “THEY STOLE MY LIFE.”

“In case you were wondering how Callie had access to my work. My husband, Harris.”

***

The room was dead silent after I dropped the bomb. Harris and Callie stood there, their faces drained of all color, unable to speak. Everyone stared at them. Mr. Thornton, still looking stunned, finally broke the silence, stretching his hand for the deal.

“Alice, I… I had no idea. I’m sorry for what happened. We’d love to have you back. With a promotion, of course.”

I looked at him for a moment, considering his offer. But after everything, I knew I needed more than just a job.

“Thank you, Mr. Thornton, but I think I’m done here. I’ve got my own project now, and I’m moving forward with the investor’s support.”

He nodded, understanding. “I wish you the best, Alice. You deserve it.”

***

After that, everything moved quickly. I filed for divorce from Harris without looking back. It was the final step in closing a painful chapter.

After everything that had happened, I knew I needed time for myself. I needed to heal, to breathe, to regain my strength. So, I packed my bags and left for a much-needed vacation.

As the plane took off, I felt a sense of freedom I hadn’t known in years. The past had tried to break me, but instead, I had risen from the ashes of betrayal. I was ready to take on the world again, stronger than ever.