Petty Gifts, Big Payback

I ditched a shot at studying abroad to help my boyfriend, Gavin Censori, launch his startup. Stuck it out with him through seven brutal years.

Then boom—success hit, and so did the ghosting.

On Valentine's Day, he hit me with the classic "work's crazy" excuse. Instead of showing up, he had some random delivery dude drop off a box of cosmetic samples. Samples.

Later that night, his secretary Rebecca popped up on my feed, flexing hard.

Caption: [With a boss like this, why go home early?]

Pic: A box of high-end makeup. Same brand. Hers weren't samples.

I dropped a comment: [You're doing great at your sidechick job. Gold star.]

Gavin called instantly, losing it. "What's your problem? She's just an employee! I bust my ass making money for you, and you're always jealous!"

I laughed. Didn't even yell. Just dumped him.

Seven years, and I'd never touched a dime of his. Joke's on him—his precious startup? Secretly bankrolled by me.

Fast-forward three years. Business summit.

He rolled in wearing a tailored suit. The second he spotted me with a bag of bottles, his smirk kicked in.

"Didn't like those cosmetics I gave you, huh? Now look at you—reduced to bottle collecting?"

Three years, and Gavin was still the same arrogant, self-obsessed jerk.

I didn't say a word. He had no clue I was here to take his company.

Right after he swaggered inside, a janitor jogged over and grabbed the bag from me. "Sorry, Ms. Valencia—I didn't mean to be late."

She'd asked me to bring bottles for some summit promo—trade enough, win a limited-edition rocket for her grandson.

When she saw the haul, her face lit up. "Thank you! You just made his dream come true."

"Head inside," I told her. "Big day. Keep the place spotless."

Then I walked in—and boom. Gavin again. This time with Rebecca clinging to his arm.

"What, done collecting bottles?" he sneered. "Scavenging indoors now? Or did your sugar daddy finally ghost you?"

I stayed silent.

He got louder, turning it into a show. "Come on, I gotta be right."

A few heads turned. Judgy eyes. Predictable.

"Everyone here's a major player. Who let her in?"

"She looks okay," someone muttered, "but she probably slipped past security."

Rebecca chimed in, syrupy sweet. "Oh no, don't say that. Maybe she's just... trying on the lifestyle?"

Gavin laughed like it was the funniest thing he'd ever heard. "Trying on the lifestyle? Please. I gave an employee some cosmetics once—she flipped and dumped me. She's obviously here fishing for rich guys."

I stared him down. "Watch it, or I'll sue you for defamation."

Rebecca clutched her pearls. "Oof. Someone's touchy. Did we hit a nerve?"

I didn't waste breath on their cringey duet.

Gavin just leaned into his smirk. "Look, for old time's sake, I can't watch you spiral."

He soaked in the attention. "My company's about to go pre-IPO. If you apologize, I MIGHT throw you a janitor gig. Beats bottle hunting—and hey, it even comes with a little dignity."

Rebecca clung tighter. "You're too kind. Some people just miss their moment. Not me—I stayed, and watched you rise."