Chapter 2

With that, Vivian patted me on the shoulder. "Sadie, just bear with it, alright?"

I stood frozen in place for the longest time, unable to process what had just happened. So that was what this was really about. She'd been targeting me from the start.

I was the only one getting my pay docked, and that little comment about bossing people around was aimed squarely at me.

But she had a conveniently short memory. There were only five days left on my five-year contract. And the one who'd been bossed around and run ragged all this time? That was me.

Fine then. She couldn't blame me for not being sentimental about it.

With that thought, I pulled up the message from a rival company that came in last night and typed back, "I'll be leaving in five days. I'll be there to start on time."

The person on the other end was thrilled, clearly not expecting me to accept. Out of caution, I asked about the salary and benefits.

The reply came almost instantly. "Don't worry. As long as you do good work, you name your price."

I stared at that message and let out a long, slow breath.

I still worked diligently through the rest of the afternoon, though my efficiency took a noticeable hit after being banned from the restroom. But what could I do? Company policy was company policy.

Around 5:00 pm, someone came by to ask me to help negotiate with a client. They said this one was difficult, and I was the only person who could handle it.

If this were before, I would've agreed without a second thought. I used to believe the company was a team, and if the company did well, I did well. So whenever anyone came to me, as long as it was for the company's benefit, I helped out, even if it left me completely drained.

But after being singled out with that new policy, it started to dawn on me. I was just an employee. If I ran myself into the ground, who was going to feel sorry for me?

I wasn't going to be that naive anymore.

I put on a timid expression. "Sorry, I really can't."

"Why not?"

"Weren't you listening this morning? Using the restroom gets you fined now. If I leave with you, what happens when she thinks I'm slacking off on company time?

"My paycheck is barely anything as it is. Dock it again and I'll owe them money. I've only got myself to feed, but I'd at least like to be able to afford that much."

She went quiet after hearing my explanation, and eventually left without pressing the issue.

At 7:00 pm, I shut down my computer right on time. Without everyone else's messes to clean up, my actual workload turned out to be surprisingly light.

So this was what it felt like not to carry everyone on my back. It felt amazing.

I walked out of the office with a spring in my step. The evening breeze brushed against my face, and it felt wonderful.

I didn't bother calling a cab. Instead, I grabbed one of those rental bikes on the sidewalk and pedaled toward the market.

I couldn't help but marvel at the fact that in five whole years of working here, this was one of the rare times I could actually take my time going home. I honestly didn't know how I'd survived the way I'd been living.

Once I got home, I cooked myself a proper meal and took a long, hot shower. I picked out a show to watch, then sat down to eat.

The food I cooked myself was actually good—nothing overcooked or tasteless, just simple dishes done exactly the way I liked.

For years, I'd been wining and dining clients to close deals, eating at odd hours and drinking too much, until it all caught up to me and wrecked my stomach. But from now on, I was going to take care of myself.

After dinner, I was just about to order groceries for the next day when I noticed my phone had completely blown up. There were video calls, work group chats, messages from coworkers, and even text messages. Every single notification showed 99+.

I tapped into one of the group chats and found it flooded with people demanding I call back.

"Urgent!"

"Vivian is furious. Call back now!"

Right on cue, Vivian's call came through. I thought about it for a moment, then decided to pick up.

The second the line connected, a torrent of screaming hit me.

"Sadie Lawson! Where the hell are you? You had the nerve to leave before finishing your work! That's a thousand-dollar fine!"

I kept my voice steady. "Vivian, let's be clear about something. My work was finished. I sent the completed checklists to everyone, and they can all confirm that.

"Besides, I actually stayed a few extra minutes out of respect for the fact that you're my boss."