I took the only work I could find—cleaning floors at my boyfriend’s business—after losing both my job and the one person who really helped me. He termed it degrading and made fun of me. He was surprised to learn that I had a secret that would make him repent all of his harsh remarks.

No matter the century, being a woman had never been simple, and the twenty-first century was no different. Due to downsizing, I had recently lost my job, and finding a new one was challenging.

In addition to losing my job, I also lost my grandma, who I loved the most, two weeks ago.

I had always looked up to her. I used to respond, “My grandma,” when people asked me as a child what I wanted to be when I grew up.

The only person who genuinely cared about me and helped me navigate life was her. I frequently felt like I didn’t exist to my parents because they were constantly too preoccupied with their jobs to recognize me.

I never received a response to my questions on why two workaholics would even consider having a child.

In contrast, my grandma was a prosperous entrepreneur who always found time for me.

She helped me with academics, encouraged me to pursue my interests, and consoled me when I needed to weep.

Thanks to her, I became the woman I was, and I knew she was proud of me—of everything in my life. Well, everything but one thing.

She did not approve of my choice of partner. Adam and I had been together for seven years. I loved him. He loved me.

At least, it seemed that way. But Grandma would frown every time she saw him.

“My dear, he makes you less radiant. She always reminded me that a man should make you shine brighter, not make you bland.

I had never agreed with her, but she felt Adam was limiting me and making me little.

The last fortnight had been awful. Adam did not support me, and I was unable to move on from her passing.

He just kept asking when I would find a job. It was like he had no idea how much I was hurting.

On top of that, he started coming home later, always on his phone, hiding something from me.

One evening, Adam started his usual lecture about job hunting. “I get that losing your job is tough,” Adam remarked, “but you can’t just sit at home forever.”

“I am looking!” I snapped. “But no one wants to hire a woman who’s ‘at that age’—the age they assume I’ll run off on maternity leave. They don’t care that I’m not even married!”

“That’s just an excuse,” Adam countered. “You always say it’s harder for women to find work.”

Bull. Our organization recently hired a new interim director. The will is a disaster and the owner passed away, but this woman, who is only thirty, is already ruining everything. You sit at home and whine in the interim.

“My grandmother passed away two weeks ago! What are you requesting from me? I yelled.

“I hope you find employment. Adam grumbled, “I’m not dating a freeloader,” and left the living room.

I hid my face in my hands and started crying.

I couldn’t tell if it was from heartbreak, grief, or both. I was worn out—weary of having to prove myself all the time.

Adam started having more late nights. He was getting farther away, then one day I smelled him. He smelled the perfume of a woman.

It was already very obvious to me who owned it. He kept gushing about Sandra, their new director.

It seemed as though he was enamored with her. Despite my want to confront him, I chose to play it cool.

So, while he was at work, I went to his company’s website and checked their job openings. There was nothing I was qualified for—except one. Janitor.

I had never been a picky or proud person. Grandma instilled in me the value of every honest job. I immediately contacted, and they informed me that I could begin that day.

I got to the workplace, grabbed my cleaning tools and uniform, and started working while watching Adam.

While I was mopping the hallway near the men’s restroom, Adam walked by.

“Kylie? What the hell are you doing here?” he blurted.

“Working,” I replied, continuing to mop.

“As a janitor? Have you lost your mind?” Adam barked.

“I don’t see the problem. You told me to get a job,” I reminded him.

Adam stopped me and snatched the mop from my hands.

“Not this! You’ve got a degree in finance! And you’re degrading yourself by mopping floors?” he snapped.

“I’m not demeaning myself. It’s still work,” I replied calmly.

“Don’t tell anyone here you know me. I’d be abashed if people found out my girlfriend works as a janitor,” Adam said, then disappeared into the restroom.

I let out a long sigh, picked up the mop, and kept working. Adam had gotten arrogant.

He had no college degree, and working in a good position at this company was luck. But it seemed he had forgotten that.

I finished earlier than Adam and went home. As much as I wanted to stay and experienced what he was up to, I assumed snooping around on the first day would raise suspicion.

When Adam came home, he looked furious. He walked over and dropped onto the couch.

“Tell me—are you trying to get back at me?” he demanded.

“Of course not,” I replied.

“Then why the hell did you take a job as a janitor at my company?!” he yelled.

“I don’t get why you’re so upset. It’s temporary, just until I find something in my field. You said you didn’t want to date a freeloader, remember?” I reminded him. “Even though I never took a dime from you and lived off my own savings.”

“You can’t work as a janitor! That’s humiliating!” he shouted again.

“Only insecure people think that,” I answered.

“No—normal people think that!” Adam argued.

“I’ll work wherever and however I choose,” I declared.

“Then… then…” he stammered.

“Then what? You’ll leave me?” I asked.

“You need to find something else, but not just yet. “Don’t you dare tell anyone at the office that we know each other,” Adam said, and he meant it.

Regardless of what you say, I shrugged.

He slammed the door behind him and rushed into the bedroom.

I worked as a janitor for a week before deciding it was time to stay late and expose Adam.

I contacted the girl from the second shift and prepared to cover for her. Most of the staff had already gone home. Everyone—except Adam and Sandra.

I tried to stay out of sight, and it looked to work. Adam walked into Sandra’s office, and they did not even bother to close the door. I waited a few minutes, then barged in.

Adam hardly saw me entering her office because he and Sandra were sharing a kiss on the tiny couch. Sandra was the first to notice me.

“Why are you in this place? “Are you a pervert of some sort?” she cried, jumping up and down with Adam. Adam briefly shown signs of fear. Then his expression became icy.

I said, “I’m Adam’s girlfriend.”

Sandra yelled at him, “You didn’t tell me you had a girlfriend.”

“I no longer do,” Adam answered. “Dating a janitor is a humiliating experience.”

Sandra chuckled. “He’s correct.”

“So, when are you coming to get your belongings from the apartment?” I asked coldly.

“Why would I have to move out?” Adam shouted.

“Because the lease is in my name,” I explained.

“You can’t just kick me out!” he screamed.

“Oh, I absolutely can,” I said. “You know what? Don’t even bother—I’ll pack your things myself and leave them in the hallway.”

“YOU—”

Adam started yelling every insult he knew, but I no longer heard him. I had already walked out and headed straight to the elevator.

As the doors closed, tears spilled down my cheeks. I had tried to keep it together in front of him, but inside I was busted.

My heart throbbed, and all I wanted in that moment was for my grandmother to be there, to hug me, to comfort me. But that was impossible.

As soon as I stepped outside, my phone rang. A tiny spark of hope lit up inside me, maybe it was Adam, maybe he was calling to apologize, he owed me at least that.

But no. It was my grandmother’s lawyer. I picked up the call.

“It’s obvious what the will is. You can sign the paperwork when you visit tomorrow. The lawyer told me, “She left everything to you.”

“I’m grateful. I said, “I’ll be there first thing in the morning,” and hung up.

The timing couldn’t have been more ideal. I could now demonstrate to Adam what true shame looked like.

I signed all the paperwork and traveled to the workplace the following morning, but I wasn’t dressed like a janitor. I arrived ready for retribution, dressed in a dapper business suit.

I heard people muttering about the company’s new owner as I passed into the office after riding the elevator up. I walked inside Sandra’s office and set my handbag down on the desk.

“Who do you believe you to be?” Sandra let out a cry. “You work as a janitor!”

“Oh no, my love. “Your future is in my hands,” I retorted, taking papers out of my purse and presenting them to her.

Her expression transformed in an instant. She became pale, obviously in a panic, and got to her feet. “I really apologize. I didn’t know. “Please sit down,” she whispered.

I sat down and pushed all her belongings aside. “Be a dear and call Adam in here,” I instructed.

“Yes, yes, of course,” Sandra nodded and left the office. A few moments later, she returned with Adam.

“What the hell are you doing? Are you insane?!” he shouted at me. “Why are you letting her pull this crap?! Call security, get her out of here!” he barked at Sandra.

Through her teeth, she growled, “Stop talking, Adam.”

Is this a joke of some sort? For what reason are you shaking in front of a janitor? Adam laughed.

Sandra muttered, “Because I know something you don’t.”

“That’s right,” I cut in.

“Yesterday I got a call from my grandmother’s lawyer. Her will finally went into effect. I inherited her house, her apartment, some assets, and most importantly—this company.”

“This has to be a prank,” Adam laughed nervously.

“It’s not, Adam. I’m the new owner of this company. Your boss,” I stated.

“No way. Your grandma wasn’t that rich,” he said.

“She didn’t like to show off—unlike you. Do you honestly think you got this job on merit? Without a degree?” I asked him.

“Why didn’t you ever tell me any of this?” Adam stuttered, fear creeping into his voice.

“Because I didn’t want you to feel like you owed anything to me or to her. But now I realize that was a mistake. You started acting like a king when you were really just the jester,” I told him.

“No..I..I…this…can’t be real…” he stammered again.

“Adam, I reviewed your performance and experience, and I’ve decided you’re not fit for this position,” I announced. “And Sandra, your services are no longer needed either. You were just filling in while I returned. But if you ask nicely, I might write you a glowing recommendation.”

“Yes, of course. Anything you need. Thank you,” Sandra replied quickly.

“And what about me?” Adam asked, his voice cracking.

“Do whatever you want. Haven’t you figured it out yet? You’re fired, Adam,” I said firmly.

Adam dropped to his knees. I could not help but laugh. Who was humiliated now? “No, please! I’m so sorry. I’ll change. I’ll do whatever you want,” he begged.

“Well, funny you say that. We do have an opening in the janitorial team,” I said.

Adam jumped up. “Go to hell!” he shouted.

“All right then. Get out. Or I’ll have security drag you out,” I warned.

“No, no. Okay, I’m sorry. I’ll take the janitor job,” he muttered.

“Great. Sandra, please give Adam a uniform and all the cleaning tools. Show him the basics while I work on your letter of recommendation,” I instructed.

“Yes, of course,” she agreed, then left the office with Adam.

I reached into my bag, pulled out a photo of my grandmother and me, and placed it on the desk.

I wanted to be a boss like she was, kind and fair. But I would never again tolerate the way Adam treated me. He would learn his lesson. Just like I had learned mine. No one would ever look down on me again.

She said, “Yes, of course,” and she and Adam left the office.

I took a picture of my grandmother and myself out of my luggage and set it on the desk.

I want to be as fair and compassionate a manager as she was. However, I would never put up with Adam’s treatment of me again. He would be taught a lesson. as I had discovered my. I would never again be looked down upon.