I Slept with My Boss and Ran Away

It was late when the four strong men returned from Fiona’s place last night; they were still asleep, enjoying the freedom of not having to clock in for work. After they left, Fiona scrubbed her entire body clean, still feeling filthy, her body covered in bruises.

Alone in her apartment, Fiona cried, her hatred for Meredith deepening. She compared her dire situation to Meredith’s luxurious married life, feeling the stark contrast between them which only fueled her jealousy further. In a fit of frustration, Fiona screamed and smashed the standing mirror in her room.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

The mirror shattered into countless pieces on the floor, each reflecting a fragmented and sullied Fiona, mirroring the state of her life. Standing up, she approached the broken glass, picked up a shard, and looked at her disheveled reflection, a cold smirk crossing her face. “Meredith, this is all your doing. You’ve ruined me,” she whispered to herself.

Fiona dared not call the police or speak out, as the men had taken photos. If she exposed them, those images would surface online, and her life would be utterly destroyed. She knew mending her relationship with Meredith wouldn’t be easy; she needed a way back. Yet, she had plans for making amends-or so she convinced herself.

Determined, Fiona resolved that Meredith must pay off her million-dollar debt and experience the humiliation she endured. “Why should I struggle in this mire while Meredith enjoys a life of splendor?” she thought bitterly.

This is often the way of the world; some people, after being bullied, don’t confront their tormentors but rather take out their vengeance on someone they can control. Such people, accustomed to bullying the weak and fearing the strong, rarely look inward for faults.

Meanwhile, Justin was doing everything he could to earn money and support his family. He didn’t want to burden Meredith or use her influence for his career. Instead, he worked part-time delivering food after his job at the law firm to make ends meet.

Now the sole breadwinner for a family of four, Justin faced the daunting costs of living expenses, medical bills, and his niece Gemma’s school fees. Mr. Thatcher often hinted at moving to a bigger house, but Justin could only respond with a smile, “Dad, I’m looking into it, no rush.”

But the truth was, Justin couldn’t afford a new house; he was stretching every dollar as far as it could go. Mrs. Thatcher believed focusing on finding a good school for Gemma was more important. She even suggested a nearby kindergarten, unaware that its annual fee alone was $80, 000, excluding living expenses.

In the capital, raising a child was no small task. During a particularly weak moment, Tristan, paralyzed and frail, expressed his guilt to Justin, “Ainsley, I’m so sorry. Gemma can only rely on you now. We’re a burden to you. She can’t miss out on schooling. I owe you so much, I can only repay you in the next life.”

Justin quickly stopped him, “Don’t talk like that. I’ll find her a good school soon.” Mr. Thatcher reassured him, “We’re family. We support each other. That’s what families do. Ainsley, you’re capable and conscientious, our pride. I’m glad our family has a college graduate who’s made his roots in the capital. You must raise Gemma well, teach her to be successful like you.”

In a moment of family pressure, Tristan suggested that Gemma be legally adopted by Justin, making him her father. “How can this be…” Justin started to protest, but Tristan cut him off, directly addressing Gemma, “From now on, your Uncle Justin is your dad, understand?”

Gemma, looking up at Justin, innocently ran over to him, calling him “Dad.” Justin, overwhelmed by the situation and the sudden responsibility, reluctantly accepted, “Alright, Gemma, come here.”

Gemma’s timid, self-conscious nature due to her family’s situation made Justin’s heart wrench. She was thin and sensitive. Being called “Dad” added a complex layer of emotions for him, who was now a father without ever having been in a relationship.

Today, Justin didn’t have the heart to share these burdens with Meredith. He knew he had to work even harder to earn money and find a school for Gemma. Meanwhile, Meredith was busy with her job and learning to drive, not wanting to always rely on Terrence Sterling for rides.

Recently, Meredith had been arriving at work in a luxury car, sparking rumors at the office. Fortunately, the wedding ring on her finger kept the gossip relatively tame. Grandma Sterling visited Meredith frequently at Thornfield Gardens, almost wishing she could move in, while Stella plotted to break the couple up.

Meredith quickly learned to drive, obtaining her license within a month. On the day she got her license, Terrence Sterling gifted her two cars: a Porsche for more opulent occasions and a more low-key Mercedes for daily use. Given Meredith’s personality, she opted for the Mercedes for work.

That morning, as Meredith drove her new car to work, she encountered Joy Chaucer. She had thought Joy, after a recent scandal, would avoid the office for a while, but she was back within a month. Joy, still recovering and using a wheelchair, didn’t miss a beat. As Meredith tried to slip away unnoticed, Joy called out, “Meredith, come to my office.”

Reluctantly, Meredith followed. Once inside, Joy commanded her to make coffee and then began with her usual sarcasm: “Meredith, you really are something. Barely a month and not only are you a hero for saving someone, I hear you’ve married a wealthy man. What is he, in his sixties?”

Joy, dismissive of Meredith’s abilities beyond her looks, insinuated that Meredith could only have married an old man for his money. In the corporate world shaped by Falconer Holdings, unless it was a powerhouse like Sterling Corporation, Joy wasn’t worried about offending anyone connected to Meredith.