She had always been my role model. When I was little and people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I used to say, “My grandma.”
She was the only one who truly cared about me and guided me through life. My parents had always been too focused on work to notice me—I often felt like I simply did not exist to them.
Sometimes I wondered why two workaholics would even bother having a child, but I never got an answer.
My grandmother, on the other hand, was a successful businesswoman, yet she always made time for me.
She supported my hobbies, helped me with school, and comforted me when I needed to cry.
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.
“He dims your light, sweetheart. A man should help you shine brighter, not dull you,” she often reminded me.
She believed Adam was holding me back, making me small, though I had never agreed.
These past two weeks had been unbearable. I could not get over her death, and Adam showed me no support.
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.”
“Because it is!” I insisted.
“Bull. We just got a new interim director at our company. The owner died and there’s some mess with the will, but this woman’s only thirty and already killing it. Meanwhile, you sit at home and complain.”
“My grandma died two weeks ago! What do you want from me?!” I shouted.
“I want you to get a job. I’m not dating a freeloader,” Adam muttered and walked out of the living room.
I buried my face in hands and burst into tears. I did not know if it was from grief, heartbreak, or both. I was tired—tired of constantly proving I was worth something.
Adam’s late nights became more frequent. He was growing distant, and then, one day, I caught the scent. A woman’s perfume clung to him.
I already had a pretty good idea who it belonged to. He would not stop talking about their new director, Sandra.
He admired her so much it felt like he was obsessed. I wanted to confront him but decided to play it smarter.
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 proud or picky. Grandma taught me to respect every honest job. So, I called right away, and they told me I could start that same day.
I arrived at the office, got my uniform and cleaning supplies, and got to work, while keeping an eye on 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 degrading myself. It’s still work,” I replied calmly.
“Don’t tell anyone here you know me. I’d be embarrassed 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 landing a good position at this company was sheer luck. But it seemed he had forgotten that.
I finished earlier than Adam and went home. As much as I wanted to stay and see what he was up to, I figured 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.
“Not yet, but you need to find something else. And I meant it—don’t you dare tell anyone at the office that we know each other,” Adam warned.
“Whatever you say,” I shrugged.
He stormed into the bedroom, slamming the door.
After a week of working as a janitor, I finally decided it was time to stay late and catch Adam red-handed.
I messaged the girl from the second shift and arranged 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 seemed 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 and Sandra were kissing on the small couch in her office and barely noticed me walk in. Sandra saw me first.
“What are you doing here?! Are you some kind of pervert?!” she screamed, leaping to her feet with Adam. Adam looked terrified, but only for a second. Then his face turned cold.
“I’m Adam’s girlfriend,” I stated.
“You didn’t tell me you had a girlfriend,” Sandra snapped at him.
“I don’t anymore,” Adam replied. “It’s humiliating to date a janitor.”
Sandra laughed. “He’s right.”
“Then when will you come to collect your things from the apartment?” I asked icily.
“Why would I have to move out?” Adam scoffed.
“Because the lease is in my name,” I explained.
“You can’t just kick me out!” he shouted.
“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 began 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 shattered.
My heart ached, 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.
“The will is clear. You can come in tomorrow and sign the documents. She left everything to you,” the lawyer informed me.
“Thank you. I’ll come first thing in the morning,” I replied and hung up.
It could not have come at a better time. Now, I could show Adam what humiliation really looked like.
The next morning, after signing all the papers, I drove to the office, but not dressed like a janitor. I wore a sharp, stylish business suit and came prepared for revenge.
I took the elevator up and walked through the office, overhearing whispers from the staff about the company’s new owner. I entered Sandra’s office and placed my purse on the desk.
“Who do you think you are?!” Sandra shrieked. “You’re a janitor!”
“Oh no, sweetheart. I’m the one who holds your future in her hands,” I replied, pulling documents from my bag and showing them to her.
Her face changed instantly. She turned pale, clearly panicked, and stood up. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea. Please, have a seat,” she murmured.
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.
“Shut up, Adam,” she hissed through her teeth.
“Is this some kind of joke? Why are you trembling in front of a janitor?” Adam scoffed.
“Because I know something you don’t,” Sandra mumbled.
“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 argued.
“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.
