I was fired for stealing a project that I had worked on for almost a year—all by myself. At least, that’s what they said. But the truth? My own husband betrayed me. He gave everything I had created to another woman. And not just any woman… someone who meant more to him than I ever did.
That’s when I decided: I won’t cry. I’ll take revenge.
As I walked down the hallway toward my boss’s office, my heart was pounding with excitement.
This is it, I thought. Today, everyone will finally see my hard work. I’m getting that promotion.
For almost a full year, I had worked day and night on this project. I skipped parties, weekends, even vacations. I had done everything—designed the concept, pitched to investors, tested it, fixed it, improved it. It was finally ready.
I smiled as I knocked on Mr. Thornton’s office door.
“Come in,” his deep voice called out.
I stepped in—and froze.
Mr. Thornton wasn’t alone.
Callie was sitting beside him, her hands folded neatly in her lap, eyes locked on mine with this calm, fake little smile that gave me goosebumps.
“Alice,” Mr. Thornton said, “have a seat.”
Confused, I sat down.
Why is Callie here? She wasn’t even part of the project. Something felt off.
Mr. Thornton cleared his throat and began, “I won’t drag this out. Callie brought something serious to my attention. She says… the project you submitted last week wasn’t yours.”
I blinked. “What?”
“She submitted the same concept. Same designs. Same everything. Two weeks before you did.”
My stomach dropped.
“That’s impossible,” I said, turning toward Callie. “This is my project. I’ve worked on it for months. Callie wasn’t even with the company when I started!”
Callie gave a little sigh and looked down like she was sad. “I’m sorry, Alice,” she said sweetly. “But the idea is mine. I don’t know how you got it. I didn’t want to bring this up, but… I had to.”
Mr. Thornton shook his head. “Alice, I’ve reviewed the files. The timestamps and submission records all match her story. I’m sorry, but from what I’ve seen, it looks like plagiarism.”
“I didn’t steal anything!” I cried. “You’ve seen me working on this every day! You know how hard I’ve worked!”
But Mr. Thornton didn’t budge. “There’s nothing more to discuss. We’re letting you go.”
Letting me go.
I felt like someone had pulled the floor out from under me. Fired. Just like that.
“Callie, you can leave now,” Mr. Thornton added.
She stood up slowly, gave me a sad smile, and walked out. The door clicked softly behind her, but to me, it sounded like a slam.
I looked back at Mr. Thornton.
“You really believe her?” I asked. “After all I’ve done?”
“I’m sorry, Alice,” he said. “The evidence is stacked against you.”
I left the office in a daze. I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I ran to the bathroom and splashed cold water on my face. My reflection looked like a stranger.
Then something clicked in my brain.
How did Callie know the details of my project?
Only one person had access to my notes, my laptop, my design files… my husband, Harris.
I rushed home like a storm.
Harris was in the shower when I got back. I didn’t wait. I tore through his jacket pockets, his briefcase, and finally—his phone.
That’s when I found it. A dinner receipt from the night he told me he was “working late.” Fancy wine. Lobster for two. Desserts for two.
My hands shook.
I kept digging.
Then I found the messages.
Dozens of them.
Between Harris and Callie.
Photos. Flirty jokes. Plans. And worst of all—screenshots of my project. My documents. My ideas. He had given them all to her. She was his mistress.
I dropped his phone on the couch, my eyes burning.
He betrayed me.
But I wasn’t going to fall apart. No. If they thought they could ruin me, they were so wrong.
I had a plan.
My final day at work arrived. A goodbye party had been arranged, and I made sure everyone would be there—especially Mr. Thornton, Callie, and yes… even Harris.
He thought he was there to “support me.”
Mr. Thornton wasn’t easy to convince, but I had pulled him aside and said:
“Sir, you need to be at this party. If you miss it, I guarantee you’ll regret it.”
He narrowed his eyes. “What are you planning, Alice?”
I smiled. “Something unforgettable.”
The office conference room was full. People were chatting, drinking, laughing. Some were awkward, unsure how to act around me.
I walked to the front of the room, holding a small remote. I took a deep breath and began.
“Thank you all for coming. Before I leave, I want to share something special with you. My final project—the one I’ve worked on for the past year.”
Everyone grew quiet.
“Yes, that project. The one people say I stole.”
I clicked the remote.
Slides appeared on the screen. First, sketches and blueprints. Then, photos—real photos—of the working prototype I had secretly built.
Gasps filled the room.
Even Mr. Thornton sat forward in his chair.
“I created this with the help of a private investor,” I said. “This was never ‘just an idea.’ It’s real.”
Then, from the back of the room, a man stood up.
“My name is Jonathan Ward,” he said. “I’ve been working with Alice on this for months. And I can confirm—this project is hers.”
Everyone turned to look at Callie.
Her face went white.
But I wasn’t finished.
“Oh, and one more thing,” I said cheerfully. “Let’s have some cake!”
A giant cake was wheeled out.
On top of it? A printed photo of Harris and Callie together, laughing in a restaurant.
Written in pink icing: “THEY STOLE MY LIFE.”
You could’ve heard a pin drop.
“In case you’re wondering how Callie got access to my work,” I said, looking directly at my boss, “she got it through my husband. Harris.”
Silence.
Callie and Harris looked frozen. No one spoke.
Then Mr. Thornton stood up, face red. He looked at me, stunned.
“Alice… I had no idea. I’m… I’m so sorry. Please—come back. With a promotion. You deserve it.”
I smiled, but shook my head.
“Thank you. But I’ve got my own project now. And a real investor who believes in me. I’m moving forward.”
He nodded, understanding. “I wish you all the success in the world, Alice.”
That night, I packed Harris’s things. I filed for divorce the next morning. I didn’t cry. Not anymore.
Soon after, I left for a quiet beach in Greece. No phones. No emails. Just peace.
As the plane lifted into the sky, I looked out the window and smiled for the first time in a long time.
They tried to break me. But I rose from the ashes—stronger, smarter, and unstoppable.
This wasn’t my ending.
It was only the beginning.