Chapter 1

After pulling all-nighters for an entire month, I finally closed a fifty-million-dollar deal right before the company's annual gala.

My boss beamed from ear to ear as he began handing out the year-end bonuses.

"The CFO saved the company three million in taxes, so he gets a luxury penthouse downtown."

"The tech lead guided his team through major technical hurdles, earning a two-hundred-thousand-dollar cash bonus."

"Lily at the front desk maintained exceptional hospitality with our VIPs, so she is awarded an Hermès bag."

When it was finally my turn, I wiped the sweat from my palms and accepted the bonus envelope.

I tore it open, only to find three general admission tickets to the city zoo.

"You are our top sales director, and your commissions are already through the roof. Take the holidays to spend some quality time with your family."

On my drive home, I dialed a number on my dashboard.

"Mr. Ross, there is a slight issue with the production timeline on that fifty-million-dollar contract. We need to talk."

Chapter 1

On the other end of the line, Dominic Ross sounded instantly annoyed.

"A timeline issue? Director Mercer, this is no joke. My entire Q1 rollout depends on this project!"

I kept my voice calm and steady.

"I would never joke about this, sir. Ironclad terms are the foundation of any real partnership."

"I will prepare a detailed breakdown for you tomorrow, and then we can schedule a time to go over the specifics."

The second I hung up, my boss, Vincent Miller, called.

"What the hell is your problem, Janelle?"

"Throwing a tantrum at the gala was not enough for you? Now you are harassing Mr. Ross in the middle of the night? Are you trying to stage a coup!"

I held the phone away from my ear, waiting until his screaming died down before speaking.

"Vincent, the client has concerns regarding the contract details. As the project lead, following up is literally my job."

"Bullshit! You signed that contract yourself! What concerns could there possibly be?"

"You are just bitter about your bonus, so now you are playing dirty games with me!"

Vincent roared hysterically, spitting curses into the speaker.

"Let me make one thing clear, Janelle. If you blow this deal, I will blackball you from this entire industry!"

I did not feel like wasting any more breath on him.

"If you think I handled this wrong, feel free to call Mr. Ross yourself. Goodnight, I am driving."

I hung up right in his face.

Before I could even enjoy a minute of peace, my husband, Justin, called.

"Janelle, is the after-party over? Dinner is ready on the stove. I made your favorite honey-glazed salmon."

We had been married for five years. He had willingly quit his job to become a stay-at-home dad to take care of me and our son.

I had always believed this was our ideal division of labor.

I told him what happened at the gala, expecting him to comfort me and take my side like he usually did.

Instead, there was a long silence on the line before he hesitated.

"You picked a fight with your boss over that?"

I gripped the steering wheel tightly, feeling a surge of frustration and hurt.

"Justin, this is not just some minor thing. It was a complete humiliation."

"But didn't your boss make a point? Your regular commissions are already huge. He just wanted you to relax, so do not overthink it."

"Besides, if you tell Mr. Ross there is a problem with the contract, what if the deal falls through?"

"We have next month's mortgage, Toby's piano lessons, and all the household bills…"

His words chilled me to the bone.

I worked myself to the bone out here not so he could lecture me on how not to overthink things.

I cut him off sharply.

"So you think I should just swallow my pride, take three zoo tickets, and kiss his feet in gratitude?"

Justin's tone turned impatient.

"That is not what I mean! I just think you are being reckless!"

"You are a sales director now, not a child. You need to look at the big picture. Can't you be a little more mature?"

Tears rolled down my cheeks as I let out a bitter laugh.

When I drank until my stomach bled during corporate dinners, he told me to take care of my health.

When I collapsed on my luggage at the airport from sheer exhaustion after chasing clients, he told me I was such a hard worker.

Only now did I realize that was not love or empathy.

It was just routine maintenance from a freeloading beneficiary keeping his golden goose running.

The moment that goose threatened to stop laying golden eggs, he panicked more than anyone.

"Is being treated like a circus clown part of your big picture?"

I wiped my tears and fired back.

"Do you really think taking care of the house is the only hard work, Justin, while I just sit around typing on a keyboard for free money?"