I was reclaiming what was mine.
By noon, HR finalized his termination—for cause.
Not personal.
Professional.
Confidential breaches. Misuse of funds. Failure to meet responsibilities.
Diane would call it cruelty.
The board called it overdue.
Daniel found me that afternoon outside the office.
“You fired me?” he asked, still trying to process it.
“I fired an employee who became a liability.”
“This is because of my mother.”
“No,” I said calmly. “Your mother just exposed what you thought you could keep doing.”
That night, the messages came.
Flowers.
Apologies.
Anger.
Twelve voice notes.
“I love you.”
“You’re overreacting.”
