City Woman Tried to Ruin My Life, but Losing Her Memory Changed Everything — Story of the Day

A wealthy stranger showed up uninvited, demanding my farm as if it were hers to take. He dismissed my family’s legacy as worthless. I refused, but his entitled smirk told me this fight was far from over.

The morning air was carrying the faint scent of tilled soil and wildflowers. The farm stretched before me, rolling fields kissed by the rising sun. Every corner whispered a memory: Dad hammering the first fencepost, Mom planting lilacs by the barn.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

Suddenly, a low hum broke the silence. I frowned, tilting my head. The sound grew louder. A car engine. Not a truck or the familiar rattle of my brother Steven’s old sedan. Squinting, I saw a sleek, black car gliding down the dirt road.

“Great,” I muttered under my breath.

Then, the woman appeared. She was tall, elegant, and looked like she’d been dropped off from another planet. Her suit screamed money, and not a single strand of her perfectly styled hair dared move in the breeze.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

“Are you the owner of this farm?” Her voice was the kind that didn’t waste time with pleasantries.

“Yes. Why?”

“I am Sophia. I own the surrounding properties. I’m here to buy yours.”

“It’s not for sale.”

“Not for sale? Once my resort opens, this… farm will be worthless.”

“It’s my family’s land.”

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For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

She scoffed. “Sentimental and stubborn. What a combination. We’re not finished here.”

Her car door slammed, and she drove off, leaving behind a cloud of dust. I stood on the porch, gripping my coffee mug tighter. I felt something coming.

***

The next day, I stepped outside, expecting the quiet start of my usual chores. Instead, chaos greeted me like an unwelcome guest. Chickens darted across the yard, squawking in panic. Goats were hopping over fences like it was some sort of barnyard Olympics.

Who let the animals out?

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For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

Then I saw her. Sophia.

She was perched precariously on a ladder by the barn, her hands busy with one of the old shutters. But her outfit… A sleek black dress and designer heels that had no business being anywhere near a farm.

“What are you doing up there?” I marched closer.

“Improving the aesthetic!” she shot back, not even turning her head.

Suddenly, the ladder wobbled.

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For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

“Sophia…”

Her arms flailed, and for a brief, ridiculous moment, she looked like a very glamorous windmill. Then gravity won. She tumbled to the ground in a heap of expensive fabric.

I rushed over, kneeling beside her. “Are you okay?”

Her eyes fluttered open, but the vacant, confused look in them made my stomach drop.

“Who… are you?” she whispered.

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For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

***

At the hospital, the doctor adjusted his glasses. Sophia sat on the exam table, staring blankly at me. She looked… lost.

The doctor turned to me. “Are you a relative?”

“Oh, no, I’m not…” I started, but then I stopped.

Relative…

I looked at Sophia again, her confusion evident in her distant stare. The doctor was still watching me, waiting for an answer, but my thoughts raced ahead.

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For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

What if I say yes? What if I tell him we are family?

A voice in my head immediately protested. It wasn’t true. It wasn’t right. But then another thought slid in. Maybe that is fate’s way of teaching her something.

The silence stretched, and the doctor raised an eyebrow. “Miss?”

“Yes,” I said. “She’s my sister.”

The words sounded strange, leaving my mouth, but once they were out, I couldn’t take them back.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

Sophia turned to me. “Sister?”

“Yes,” I said quickly, stepping closer. “You’ve been staying with me at the farm with me and Steven.”

She blinked. “I… I don’t remember.”

On the drive back to the farm, I couldn’t help but smile faintly to myself. That was a mess of my own making, no doubt about it. But it was going to be one heck of a ride.

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For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

***

The first morning with Sophia on the farm started with cautious optimism—and spiraled into chaos faster than I could have predicted.

“Okay, Sophia,” I said, handing her a small wooden stool and a pail. “Milking a cow is simple. You just have to…”

“Simple?” she cut in, her voice teetering between disbelief and dread. “Do you see these hands? These nails?”

What followed was a symphony of frustrated groans and a bucket that stayed empty. Sophia finally stood, tossing her hands in the air.

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For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

“This cow hates me. She’s mocking me with her… her smug mooing!”

“Move on to the chickens,” I suggested, hiding a smirk.

She stormed toward the chicken coop, muttering under her breath. Moments later, a screech pierced the air. I ran over to find her flailing her arms as chickens scattered, their wings flapping wildly.

“They’re attacking me!” she shouted, diving behind a bale of hay.

“They’re chickens, not velociraptors. Just grab the eggs and get out.”

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

The goats, sensing fresh prey, were next. They circled her like tiny, mischievous sharks, tugging at her scarf and nibbling the hem of her jacket.

By midday, Sophia looked like she’d survived a barnyard apocalypse. Her once-perfect outfit was smeared with dirt, and her hands scratched.

“I can’t do this,” she said, collapsing onto the porch. I saw tears welling up in her eyes. “I’m not made for… whatever this is.”

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For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

“This is your life.”

She shook her head, disbelief etched into her face. Watching her sit there, exhausted and defeated, I felt a twinge of pity, but not for long.

You think you can waltz in, tear this place apart, and reshape it into your vision without understanding it? No.

You’re going to feel what life here is like. You’re going to understand why it’s worth protecting.

***

Steven arrived later that afternoon and quickly jumped in to help.

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For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

“Come on,” he said to Sophia, handing her a pitchfork. “You’ll feel better once you accomplish something. Let’s start with the chicken coop.”

To my surprise, she followed him, earning a reluctant smile from Sophia.

Over the next few days, Steven stuck around, teaching her how to carry hay bales, clean stalls, and wrangle the goats without losing her mind or her scarf.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

By the end of the week, there were small victories. Sophia even cooked breakfast for us one morning. Granted, her pancakes looked more like hockey pucks, but we ate them anyway, laughing until tears streamed down our faces.

***

At the end of the week, I decided Sophia needed a break. Life on the farm had been hard on her, and I figured a little fun might do her some good. We hosted a barbecue, inviting neighbors to join us.

To my surprise, Sophia joined in.

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For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

“This is amazing!” she said, biting into a piece of corn on the cob. “I didn’t know food could taste this fresh.”

I laughed. “Welcome to the real deal.”

A group of kids called out to her as they ran toward the lake. “Sophia, come swim with us!”

“Oh no,” she said, backing away, hands raised. “Swimming is not my thing.”

Steven, carrying a plate of burgers, chimed in. “What’s the matter? Afraid you’ll ruin your makeup?”

“I’m not wearing any!” she shot back, tossing her hair dramatically.

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For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

“Then you’ve got no excuse. Go on, they won’t bite.”

The kids tugged at her hands, and with a resigned laugh, she let them drag her to the water. Minutes later, I saw her wading in, splashing around with the kind of carefree energy I’d never imagined from her.

“Never thought I’d see the day,” Sreven said, shaking his head.

As the evening wore on, Sophia drifted back toward the fire.

“You’ve adjusted pretty well,” Steven said, glancing at her. “I didn’t think you’d last a day out here, to be honest.”

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For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

“Wait..” Sophia said, pulling the blanket tighter around her. “But… I’ve been living here all the time.”

He chuckled. “Oh, yes, I almost forgot that you are… um, my sister.”

As I stood by the fire, listening to their exchange, Steven’s words hit me like a jolt.

A pang of doubt wormed its way into my thoughts. I couldn’t ignore the way Steven looked at her. They had a connection that was undeniably growing, but my lie…

What have I done? How long before the messy truth catches up with me?

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

Suddenly, a black car pulled up, and as the woman stepped out, her piercing gaze fixed on Sophia. Whoever she was, she hadn’t driven all the way for nothing.

I felt the tension crackle through the air like an approaching storm. The woman was overdressed as though she were attending a red carpet event instead of stepping onto a farm. Her stiletto heels sank into the dirt with each step, and she paused to examine the ground, wrinkling her nose in open disdain.

“Sophia, we are going home,” she said.

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For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

Sofia looked up from her plate of grilled chicken, her face smudged with dirt.

“What are you wearing? And… what is that on your face?”

I stepped forward. “Ma’am, I think we need to talk.”

Her eyes snapped to me. “I am Sophia’s mother. And who, exactly, are you?”

“I’m the owner of this farm. Sofia’s been staying with me. She lost her memory after an accident…”

“You what?! You’ve been keeping my daughter here?”

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For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

Her shrill accusations echoed across the yard, silencing the neighbors. All eyes turned to us.

“It wasn’t like that. I told her she was family. I thought…”

“You thought?” she spat. “You thought you had the right to lie to my daughter? To keep her here, away from her life, her family? Do you have any idea who she is? This farm is nothing compared to the world she belongs in!”

As if triggered by those words, Sofia stiffened. The warmth in her eyes disappeared, replaced by a cold, distant look.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

She turned to me. “I’ve remembered everything now. You’ve been lying to me.”

By the time she left with her mother that night, it was as if the Sofia we had known on the farm had never existed.

***

The days that followed were unbearably quiet. Her absence filled the house like a heavy shadow. I missed her clumsy attempts at chores, her dry humor, and even her dramatic outbursts. For the first time, the farm felt… empty.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

I found her business card while packing up the belongings she’d left behind. An address in the city stared back at me, daring me to do something.

In a few hours, I arrived at her office and braced myself for rejection. The receptionist informed Sofia of my arrival. Within minutes, she appeared.

To my shock, she hugged me tightly, tears slipping down her cheeks.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

“I’m sorry. For everything. For who I was.”

I pulled back slightly, searching her face. “Why now?”

She smiled faintly. “Because I miss it. The simplicity, the honesty. And most of all, I miss Steven.”

We returned to the farm together. That time, Sofia wasn’t just a visitor. She was family. She and Steven built a life here, one full of love, laughter, and the kind of grounding no luxury resort could ever provide.

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For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney

Tell us what you think about this story, and share it with your friends. It might inspire them and brighten their day.

If you enjoyed this story, read this one: On my wedding day, everything seemed perfect until my past walked into the ceremony uninvited. A promise made years ago and a man determined to remind me of it threatened to unravel the life I’d built. Could I let go of the past, or would it destroy my future? Read the full story here.

This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life.

50-Year-Old’s Epic Comeback to Workplace Mockery Will Inspire You!

At 50, I believed my career was over. But when I started working at a fast-paced startup, I soon became the target of a jealous young colleague. What happened next was more than just a struggle for respect; it led to a surprising twist that changed everything.

After losing my husband, I felt lost, like a ship without a direction. Days blended together, and finding a new purpose seemed impossible.

The psychology degree I had put aside years ago suddenly felt like my last hope. So, I decided to pull it out and use it in my 50s.

Source: Midjourney

When I got an internship at an IT startup, I couldn’t believe it. Technology wasn’t really my thing

But I thought, “Why not? This might be the fresh start I need.”

My new boss, Liam, was 28 years old. He was smart, driven, and focused only on one thing: success. Profits, growth, numbers.

People? Not so much.

In our first meeting, Liam hardly looked at me. I could feel his doubt.

“So, I was thinking,” I started carefully. “It might be good to focus on building stronger connections within the team…”

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Liam cut me off. “We’re growing fast. I need results. What do you suggest?”

“Well, it’s about finding balance.”

“You’re just an intern, right? Just listen and repeat,” he said, turning back to his laptop.

That was it. The conversation ended. I left the office feeling defeated.

Maybe I am too old for this.

I needed a fresh viewpoint, so I called my best friend Jake.

Jake had always been my rock, especially after my husband died. There were days I couldn’t even get out of bed, but Jake was always there, helping me through the grief.

Source: Midjourney

We decided to meet at our usual café, a cozy place where time seemed to slow down.

Jake was there when I arrived.

“Hey, Mary. You look like you’ve got a lot on your mind,” he said, waving me over.

I sat down. “I don’t know, Jake. This new job is tougher than I thought. Liam’s young, and he only cares about numbers and profits.”

“Liam, huh? The young boss you mentioned?”

I sighed. “Yes. He doesn’t care about people. I shared some ideas, but he dismissed them.”

“Sounds like he’s missing the bigger picture,” Jake said. “You’ve been through a lot. You know how to help people connect. Why not use that?”

I looked at him, puzzled.

Source: Midjourney

“What do you mean?”

“Remember that emotional support program you wrote as your thesis? Why not offer it as the team-building event? It’s what you know best, and it works.”

I thought for a moment. He was right. The program had helped me regain my strength after my husband passed.

“Maybe you’re onto something,” I said, feeling a bit hopeful. “I’ll pitch the idea to Liam.”

Jake smiled. “That’s the spirit! And remember, if anyone can reach a guy like him, it’s you.”

With renewed confidence, I approached Liam the next day. After explaining the team-building event, I watched his face, hoping for interest.

Source: Midjourney

“Okay, Mary. Let’s give it a try,” Liam said, though his tone was flat.

“Thanks, Liam. I’ll make sure the team benefits.”

Suddenly, I saw Lora standing outside the office, clearly listening to us. She stepped into my way as I tried to leave.

“Team-building, huh? Sounds like a big project,” she said, her eyes sparkling with something I couldn’t quite place.

“It should help everyone connect better,” I said, trying to stay positive despite feeling uneasy around her.

“Liam agreed to this? Surprising, since he’s not really into this soft stuff.”

I shrugged. “He’s willing to try, so that’s something.”

Source: Midjourney

She paused and smiled too brightly.

“Hey, since you’ll be busy organizing the activities, why don’t I handle the logistics? I’m good at that kind of thing.”

I hesitated; something felt off. Still, I didn’t want to seem untrusting, especially since I was new.

“That will be helpful,” I said. “Thanks, Lora.”

“No problem! I’ll take care of everything.”

At the time, I had no idea she had her own plans. I was just grateful for the assistance.

The day of the team-building event was supposed to be my chance to shine. But when I got to the venue, there was nothing. No decorations, no people, and no sign of an event.

Source: Midjourney

Something was wrong. As I stood there, staring at the empty room, my phone rang. It was Liam.

“Mary, where are you? Everyone’s here waiting. You said you’d run this thing, and now you’re not even here!”

Panic hit me. “What!? Liam, I’m at the location I arranged. No one’s here.”

“What location?” His voice grew cold. “The whole team’s at the new place Lora said you picked.”

Lora. Of course.

It was a trap, and I had fallen for it. That was her way of making me look bad in front of Liam.

“I’m on my way,” I said before hanging up.

I called Jake. “Jake, I need your help. Fast.”

Source: Midjourney

“What happened?”

“Lora changed the location for the team-building without telling me. I can fix it, but it needs to be at my place, not Lora’s. I need you to bring everyone to my house.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be there soon,” he said immediately.

I hurried home, just in time to set things up.

I arranged tables on the terrace, lit lanterns, and made the garden feel warm and inviting. My nerves were high, but I wasn’t going to let this defeat me.

Jake arrived with the entire team in his van. They stepped out, looking confused but curious about the cozy setting.

The event was going better than I expected. People paired up, laughing and chatting, their usual office facades dropping away. The atmosphere in my garden worked its magic.

Source: Midjourney

Liam, who had always seemed serious, was finally loosening up. He moved around, talking to everyone, even smiling.

I noticed Lora and Liam chatting together. I got a bit closer, curious about what they were saying.

“This place is really nice,” Lora said, looking around.

“Yeah, I have to admit, it’s different from the usual corporate events.”

Lora laughed lightly. “Different is good, right? We often get stuck in our little bubbles at work.”

Liam leaned back in his chair. “You’re right. I didn’t realize how much the team needed this. We focus so much on results, we forget something important.”

Source: Midjourney

I saw them both relaxing. For a moment, I felt a sense of satisfaction.

Maybe this event would help them connect in more ways than one.

I caught Lora watching me from across the garden. Even though the evening went well, I sensed this wasn’t over.

As the night came to an end and people started leaving, I saw Lora with Liam near my wardrobe. Lora looked around and picked up a stack of papers, flipping through them quickly.

“Hey, Mary,” she called out. “What’s this? Something important?”

Liam’s face turned red with anger when he noticed the papers in Lora’s hands. He grabbed them.

“What the hell are these doing here?” he snapped, glaring at me. “I prepared these for a meeting with investors. I left them on my desk, Mary.”

I opened my mouth to explain, but he didn’t let me.

“Don’t act innocent. It’s obvious now. You’re working for the competition, aren’t you? I trusted you!”

“No, Liam, I…” I started, but he waved me off.

“We’ll talk later. Stay out of my way for now.”

With that, he stormed out. I turned to Lora.

She smirked. “I didn’t think those documents were that important. I just wanted to teach you a lesson.”

“A lesson? You’ve ruined everything!”

Still, I believed the real Lora, the one I’d seen laughing with Liam earlier, was still in there somewhere. But at that moment, she chose to be her worst self.

I sank into a chair, feeling completely defeated. Jake came over, putting a hand on my shoulder.

“Everything happens for a reason, Mary. Don’t give up yet.”

Source: Midjourney

When I got a message from Liam asking to meet the next day at the office, I felt nervous, but I decided to go in with my head held high.

The next afternoon, I walked into the office with a heavy heart. I saw both Liam and Lora there.

“Mary, I… I need to apologize,” Lora began, her voice shaky. “I was the one who moved the location for the team-building event. I wanted to make you look bad, and… I also planted those documents on your desk.”

“Why?” I asked, barely believing her.

Lora sighed, looking down.

“I was jealous. I thought you were stealing Liam’s attention from me, and I let that cloud my judgment. But after the team-building event and hearing what you said… I realized how wrong I was.”

Liam, who had been quiet, stepped forward.

“She’s telling the truth, Mary. Honestly, I’m grateful for what you did.” He looked at me, his tone softer. “That night in your garden, I felt like a normal person again. I started to notice things I hadn’t in years. It was a wake-up call.”

He glanced at Lora and winked, making her blush. I couldn’t help but smile. It seemed the relaxed atmosphere of that evening did more than I hoped.

Liam turned back to me. “Mary, your methods worked. From today, I’d like to make it official. You’ll be the company’s emotional recovery coach.”

I was stunned, then broke into a smile. “Really? Thank you, Liam.”

Liam added, “And we’ve got more to celebrate. The morning meeting with the investors went great. So, I’m inviting the whole team to stay after work tonight for pizza. Let’s make it a tradition!”

I laughed, feeling lighter than I had in weeks. The weight of uncertainty was gone. I had found my path and could focus on helpingWhen I got an internship at a tech startup, I couldn’t believe my luck. Technology wasn’t really my area of expertise, but I thought, “Why not? This might be the fresh start I need.”

My new boss, Liam, was 28 years old. He was smart, ambitious, and very focused on one thing: success. He cared a lot about profits, growth, and numbers, but not so much about people.

In our first meeting, Liam hardly looked at me. I could sense his doubt.

“So, I was thinking,” I started carefully. “Maybe we should focus on building stronger connections within the team…”

He cut me off, “We’re growing fast. I need results. What are you suggesting?”

“Well, it’s about creating a balance.”

“You’re an intern, right? Just listen and repeat,” he said, already turning back to his laptop.

That was it. The conversation was over. I left feeling deflated.

Maybe I’m too old for this.

I needed a new perspective, so I called my best friend, Jake.

Jake had always helped me, especially when times were tough. After my husband passed away, there were days I couldn’t even get out of bed. But Jake was there, cheering me on when I struggled with my grief.

We decided to meet at our favorite café, a cozy place nearby where time seemed to slow down.

Jake was already there when I arrived.

“Hey, Mary. You look like you’ve got a lot on your mind,” Jake said, waving me over.

I sat down and sighed. “I don’t know, Jake. This new job… It’s harder than I expected. Liam’s young, and he’s all about numbers and profits.”

“Liam, huh? The boss you mentioned?” Jake asked.

“Yeah. He doesn’t care about people. I shared some ideas, but he just brushed them off.”

“Sounds like he’s missing the bigger picture,” Jake replied. “You’ve been through so much. You know how to bring people together. Why not use that?”

I looked at him, puzzled.

“What do you mean?”

“Remember the emotional support program you created for your thesis? Why not offer that as a team-building event? You know it works.”

I thought for a moment. He was right. The program had helped me heal after losing my husband.

“Maybe you’re onto something,” I said, feeling a bit more hopeful. “I’ll pitch the idea to Liam.”

Jake smiled. “Now you’re thinking. And remember, if anyone can reach a guy like him, it’s you.”

With renewed confidence, I approached Liam the next day. After explaining the team-building idea, I watched his face, hoping for some interest.

“Alright, Mary. Let’s give it a shot,” Liam said, though he didn’t sound too excited.

“Thanks, Liam. I’ll make sure the team benefits from it.”

Suddenly, I noticed Lora, who had been standing outside the office, clearly eavesdropping. She stepped in front of me before I could walk by.

“Team-building, huh? Sounds like a big project,” she said, her eyes sparkling with something I couldn’t quite place.

“It should be a good way to connect everyone,” I said, trying to stay upbeat despite the uncomfortable tension I felt with her.

“Liam agreed to this? Surprising. He’s not into this soft stuff.”

I shrugged. “He’s willing to try, so that’s something.”

She paused and smiled a bit too brightly.

“Hey, since you’ll be busy organizing, why don’t I handle the logistics? I’m good at that kind of thing.”

Something about her offer made me hesitate. Still, I didn’t want to seem untrusting since I was new.

“That would be helpful,” I said. “Thanks, Lora.”

“No problem! I’ll take care of everything.”

I had no idea she had her own plans. I was just thankful for the help.

The day of the team-building event was my chance to prove myself. But when I arrived at the venue, there was nothing—no decorations, no people, and no sign of an event.

Something was wrong. As I stood there, my phone rang. It was Liam.

“Mary, where are you? Everyone’s here waiting. You said you’d be running this thing, and now you’re not even here!”

Panic hit me. “What!? Liam, I’m at the location I arranged. No one’s here.”

“What location?” His voice was sharp. “The whole team’s at the new place Lora said you picked.”

Lora. Of course.

It was a setup, and I had walked right into it. That was her way of making me look incompetent in front of Liam.

“I’m on my way,” I managed to say before hanging up.

I called Jake. “Jake, I need your help. Fast.”

“What happened?” he asked.

“Lora changed the location for the team-building without telling me. I can make it work, but it needs to be at my place, not Lora’s. I need you to bring everyone to my house.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be there soon,” he said.

I rushed home with just enough time to prepare.

I set up tables on the terrace, lit lanterns, and made the garden inviting. I was nervous, but I wasn’t going to let that ruin everything.

Jake arrived with the entire team packed into his van. The employees spilled out, looking confused but intrigued by the cozy setting.

The event went better than I imagined. People paired up, laughing and chatting, their usual office masks dropping away. The atmosphere in my garden worked its magic.

Liam, who had always been so serious, was finally relaxing. He moved from group to group, engaging in conversations and even smiling.

At one point, I noticed Lora and Liam together. I edged closer, curious about what they were saying.

“This place is really nice,” Lora said, looking around the garden.

“Yeah, it’s different from the usual corporate events,” Liam replied.

Lora laughed. “Different is good, right? Sometimes we all get stuck in our office bubbles.”

Liam leaned back. “You’re right. I didn’t realize how much the team needed this. We’re always pushing for results and overlooking something important.”

I felt a sense of satisfaction watching them let their guards down. Maybe this event would bring them closer in more ways than one.

I caught Lora looking at me from across the garden. Even with the evening going smoothly, I sensed this wasn’t the end of her games.

As the night wound down and people began to leave, I noticed Lora with Liam near my wardrobe. Lora glanced around and reached for a stack of papers, flipping through them quickly.

“Hey, Mary,” she called out. “What’s this? Something important?”

Liam’s face turned red when he saw the papers in her hands. He snatched them away.

“What the hell are these doing here?” he snapped, glaring at me. “I prepared these for a meeting with investors. I left them on my desk, Mary.”

I opened my mouth to explain, but he cut me off.

“Don’t act innocent. It’s clear now. You’re working for the competition, aren’t you? I trusted you!”

“No, Liam, I…” I tried to explain, but he waved me off.

“We’ll talk later. Stay out of my way for now.”

He stormed out, leaving me with Lora.

She smirked. “I didn’t think those papers were that important. I just wanted to teach you a lesson.”

“A lesson? You’ve ruined everything!”

Still, I believed there was a better version of Lora, the one I’d seen laughing with Liam earlier, but she chose to be her worst self at that moment.

I sank into a chair, feeling defeated. Jake came over and placed a hand on my shoulder.

“Everything happens for a reason, Mary. Don’t give up yet.”

When I received a message from Liam asking me to meet him the next day, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I decided to go in with my head held high.

The next afternoon, I arrived at the office feeling heavy-hearted. When I walked in, I saw both Liam and Lora there.

“Mary, I… I need to apologize,” Lora began, her voice shaky. “I was the one who moved the location for the event. I wanted to make you look bad, and… I also planted those documents on your desk.”

“Why?” I asked, hardly believing her.

Lora sighed and looked down.

“I was jealous. I thought you were stealing Liam’s attention from me, and I let that cloud my judgment. But after the event and hearing you speak, I realized how wrong I was.”

Liam, who had been quiet, stepped forward.

“She’s telling the truth, Mary. And honestly, I’m grateful for what you did.” He looked at me, his tone softer. “That evening in your garden, I didn’t just feel like the boss. I felt like a regular person again. I started noticing things I hadn’t in years. It was a wake-up call.”

He glanced at Lora and winked, making her blush. I couldn’t help but smile, realizing the relaxed atmosphere had done more than I hoped.

Liam turned back to me. “Mary, your methods worked. So, from now on, you’ll be the company’s emotional recovery coach.”

I was stunned for a moment and then broke into a big smile. “Really? Thank you, Liam!”

“And we have more to celebrate. The investor meeting went great. I’m inviting the whole team to stay after work tonight for pizza. Let’s make it a tradition!”

I laughed, feeling lighter than I had in weeks. The weight of uncertainty was gone. I had found my pathIt looks like you’re interested in a story about navigating workplace dynamics, personal challenges, and the journey of self-discovery. This narrative explores the protagonist, Mary, as she faces challenges in her internship at a tech startup. She encounters a young and ambitious boss, Liam, who prioritizes numbers over people, and a competitive colleague, Lora, who tries to undermine her.

The turning point comes when Mary decides to pitch a team-building event based on her emotional support program, which ultimately transforms the team’s dynamics. Despite obstacles, including Lora’s manipulations, Mary’s efforts lead to a more positive work environment and her own empowerment, as she eventually becomes the company’s emotional recovery coach.

If you’d like to delve deeper into themes like workplace relationships, personal growth, or strategies for effective team-building, feel free to ask!

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