For months, I carried a quiet weight that followed me everywhere. It began with small lies for my boss, Richard—harmless at first, just quick cover stories. But over time, those lies grew heavier, shaping my days and slowly changing how I saw myself.

Richard was respected, confident, and in control. To others, he was a leader. To me, he became something more complicated. Behind closed doors, he relied on me not just for work, but for deception—especially when it came to hiding his relationship with someone from marketing.