Chapter 3

I looked at Jack and felt nothing but disappointment. I had been with him since the very beginning, back when he first started this company.

My salary was practically nothing in those days, and there were stretches where the company couldn't even make payroll. I stuck it out anyway, told myself it was worth it, that once the business took off, things would get better for me too.

Instead, all I got was suspicion. Jack decided I cost too much, brought in Julie to undermine me, and slowly pushed me out the door.

I had poured years of my life into this place. It was time to take all of that back for myself.

I didn't make a scene. I handed my things over to security for inspection. All I walked out with was a coffee mug and the signed handover document.

Before I left, I stood at the base of the building and looked up one last time. This was the place where I'd spent the last ten years of my life. And now, I would never have to think about any of it again.

I could finally go on a real vacation. Back when I was still employed, I never dared turn off my phone, not even on my days off, in case the office called with some emergency. And even when I did manage to get away, I never stayed longer than a day or two before rushing back.

But none of that mattered anymore. I went home, packed my bags, booked a flight, and by that evening, I was in Coral Bay. I paid for 20 nights upfront.

Once I was settled, I posted a photo of the ocean online. "Finally having time to myself. It feels incredible."

The messages from my former coworkers started rolling in almost immediately.

"Must be nice. Some of us are stuck here doing overtime."

"Annie, did you hear? After you left, everyone got a raise."

And then I saw the post from Julie. "First official day of running things. Wish me luck."

I read through all of it and just smiled. None of it bothered me. If anything, the raises were only going to speed up the company's collapse, given the current state of its books.

I put my phone down and got ready for bed. I wasn't expecting a call that late, but the phone rang.

It was a recruiter from one of Jack's competitors. They had heard about my resignation and wanted to bring me on at a significantly higher salary, with more vacation days written into the contract.

It was a hard offer to turn down, so I didn't.

After I hung up, I felt lighter than I had in years. I couldn't believe my luck.

I was just about to lie down when the phone rang a second time. It was Jack.

"Annie! Did you take money from the company? Five million dollars is missing from the accounts!"