Year-end bonuses. The whole company gathered while Celia Gilbert, CEO and my girlfriend, announced she was giving everyone a little extra this year.
Everyone except me.
"Alex Rowe, your family doesn't need the money. Nathan Henson's family is struggling, so I gave your bonus to him instead."
I looked around at my coworkers' smug faces and smiled.
"Fine. In that case, I won't be coming back after the New Year."
"Ms. Gilbert, I quit."
——
Silence. Then the whispers started.
"He's actually trying to pressure her with this?"
"How naive—does he really think she'll care if he leaves?"
"Ever since Nathan showed up, she hasn't given Alex a second glance."
"Honestly, Nathan and Ms. Gilbert are the real couple. Alex was never in her league."
Every word landed like a needle in my chest.
They were right about one thing: it was time to go.
I'd never been able to reach Celia Gilbert's heart.
For years, I'd given her everything. I'd pulled strings, called in favors, single-handedly dragged this company onto stable ground. Then the moment it turned profitable, she changed completely—and brought Nathan Henson in.
Now, at year's end, she was handing him my bonus in front of everyone.
Why keep fighting for this?
Celia's face twisted with displeasure. "Alex Rowe. All this over a little money?"
"It's not a little money."
My voice stayed flat. "From the day Nathan joined until now—one full year. You've withheld every bonus I earned and given it to him."
"And my commission, Ms. Gilbert. Per our agreement, the company owed me that too. You gave him all of it."
I held her gaze. She always said I didn't need it. But for twelve months, nearly every cent I'd earned had gone straight to Nathan Henson.
That alone was enough.
"You want to settle accounts with me?" Her expression darkened.
Nathan stepped forward, wearing his usual wounded-puppy look. "Alex, I know this is my fault. Celia only did it because she saw how hard things were for me. If you need the money, I'll give it all back. I'll borrow it from somewhere and pay you."
The way Celia looked at me shifted instantly.
"You're pressuring Nathan like this?" Her voice turned cold. "Fine. You want to quit? I'll sign off on it. Don't come crying later."
She had someone print a termination contract on the spot. Signed it herself. Slid it across the table.
I glanced at the paper, then at Celia—already murmuring comfort to Nathan.
I shook my head and smiled.
If I couldn't have what I'd earned, why keep caring?
"Ms. Gilbert, since you've terminated me, you owe me severance. Plus every commission from this past year."
