As the office clock struck 9:47 p.m., the usual after-work silence had settled over MediaStream. A silence in which every sound was particularly noticeable. The quiet hum of the computers. The occasional tick of the air conditioning. The distant ring of the elevator somewhere in the hallway – a reminder that the world outside continued to turn even without them.
Lily Price sat hunched at her desk, shoulders tense, eyes burning, staring at a spreadsheet she already knew by heart. The columns of numbers blurred before her eyes, but she forced herself to go through it one more time. And then one more time. Tomorrow’s presentation would decide everything. Six months of all-nighters, skipped lunch breaks, and weekends sacrificed for client meetings. If she made even a single mistake, it would all be for nothing.
Her reflection stared back at her from the dark window. Pale. Tired. Older than she should look at thirty.
“Your family is surely waiting for you,” said Henry Price gently as he walked past her desk with his briefcase in hand.
Lily looked up in alarm. She hadn’t heard him coming. Henry had already half-put on his coat and was obviously about to leave, yet even he had stayed late tonight.
“I just want to finish this,” she said, rubbing her eyes. “The presentation has to be perfect.”
Henry paused and studied her for a moment. “Your diligence has not gone unnoticed,” he said. “We will be making a decision regarding the key account manager position shortly.”
Her pulse was racing. This role had been within reach for months. Serena’s maternity leave had opened a door that Lily had fought against with all her might.
“I’m also finishing the art and media project you gave me,” Lily quickly added. “It will be finished by Monday.”
Henry smiled. “Worked through the weekend again. Be careful not to overwork yourself. But I appreciate your efforts.”
When he finally left, Lily leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes briefly. Thirty percent. That’s how much the raise would be. Thirty percent more money. Thirty percent closer to freedom.
Around eleven o’clock, she packed her things as the office lights went out row by row behind her. Outside, the city air felt cooler and clearer. On her way to her car, she took a deep breath and tried to hold onto the faint glimmer of hope in her chest.
When she got home, the lights were on in the apartment. The television was blaring from the living room, sports commentators talking over each other. Lily barely had time to hang up her coat when a familiar voice broke the silence.
“And where have you been wandering around until this hour?”
Gloria stood in the kitchen doorway with her arms crossed and lips pressed tightly together. Her posture alone conveyed an accusation.
“Good evening, Gloria,” Lily said calmly. “I stayed at the office late. Tomorrow’s presentation is important.”
“Presentation, presentation,” Gloria mocked. “Always just work. Meanwhile, your husband sits here hungry.”
“I left lunch in the fridge,” Lily replied quietly, entering the kitchen. Dirty plates were piled up in the sink, encrusted with dried-on food scraps. Proof that Alex had eaten well.
Gloria sighed dramatically. “Would you like some braised cabbage? I cooked it today. Although nobody ever appreciates it.”
“I’m not hungry, thank you,” said Lily, rolling up her sleeves and turning on the tap. If she didn’t wash the dishes now, they would still be there in the morning.
Then she tiptoed into the nursery. Cheryl was sleeping peacefully, her little fist tucked under her cheek. Lily felt a relaxation in her chest. She adjusted the blanket and breathed a kiss onto her daughter’s warm forehead.
Alex barely glanced at her in the living room.
“Mom says you’re late again,” he said, his gaze fixed on the screen.
“Yes. Tomorrow is important,” Lily began.
“I know,” he interrupted. “Important presentation. By the way, tomorrow is Friday.”
Her stomach cramped up.
Friday meant a visit to the bank.
“And?” she asked cautiously.
“What does that mean?” Alex asked, frowning. “Mom needs to go to the hairdresser. Her skin has been quite rough lately.”
Lily stared at him. “We have unpaid bills. Cheryl needs new clothes.”
Alex waved it off. “Mom deserves something nice. She’s had a hard life.”
Lily swallowed the answer that was burning on her tongue. “I’m going to bed.”
The following weeks blurred into a sea of exhaustion. Lily arrived first and left last. While others went on vacation, she stayed behind, conducting tense negotiations with a difficult client who ultimately doubled the order.
One Wednesday afternoon, Henry asked her to come to his office. The CEO was already seated.
“We are impressed by your results,” said the CEO. “Especially in the area of art media. Therefore, the position of key account manager is intended for you.”
Lily felt dizzy. Papers slid across the desk. A new contract. A new salary.
Thirty percent more.
That evening, before heading home, she went to the bank. She applied for a new card. When asked about any additional cards, she said no.
On Friday morning, Gloria was already dressed to go out.
“When will your money arrive?” she asked casually.
“Until lunchtime,” said Lily.
“Give me the card.”
“I forgot it at work.”
Gloria’s eyes narrowed. “Let Alex bring it tonight.”
Lily switched off her mobile phone at work. She knew what was coming.
Gloria’s carefully cultivated self-confidence evaporated at the ATM. The account balance was incorrect. The withdrawal failed.
“What kind of nonsense is this?” she shouted.
The employee calmly explained: The card had been blocked by the account holder.
Gloria called Alex immediately.
At home, Lily was cradling Cheryl in her arms when the door was flung open.
“What did you do with the card?” Alex shouted.
“I got a promotion,” Lily said. “I opened a new account.”
Alex stared at her. “Where is the new map?”
“I won’t give it to you.”
A dark look crossed his face.
“You forgot your seat,” he growled, grabbing her by the hair.
Lily tore herself away, her heart pounding. “Never touch me again.”
She locked herself in the bathroom, her hands trembling as she transferred money to another account.
Alex screamed outside. Then silence.
Later, Lily sat at the kitchen table with her laptop open. She began searching for names. And what she found took her breath away.
Fraud. Benefits. Illegal sales.
When Gloria confronted her the next morning, Lily was ready.
And when Gloria threatened her, Lily simply said, “Go ahead and try it.”
The first domino had already fallen.
Lily didn’t sleep that night.
She lay on her side, facing the wall, Cheryl’s soft breathing drifting through the slightly open door of the nursery. Every time Lily closed her eyes, her scalp throbbed where Alex’s fingers had dug into her hair. The pain was no longer sharp. It was dull and spreading, like a bruise sprouting beneath the skin. Worse than the pain itself was the clarity that accompanied it.
Something fundamental had broken.
In the morning, the apartment felt different. Smaller. Stained. Lily moved quietly, mechanically, preparing Cheryl’s bottle, changing her diaper, and holding her with her back to the hallway, as if Alex might appear at any moment. But he didn’t. He had spent the night at his mother’s, undoubtedly to soothe his wounded pride and plan his next move.
Gloria arrived shortly before noon.
