One week after her wedding, the narrator returned to work at Henderson Marketing, still glowing from her honeymoon with George. But instead of congratulations, she was blindsided—fired for being “too private.”
She had always kept her personal life separate from the office. No lunch outings, no gossip, no wedding invites. This wasn’t aloofness—it was self-protection. A traumatic experience at a previous job had taught her the dangers of oversharing. So she chose professionalism over personal exposure.
But her boundaries were misinterpreted. Her manager accused her of being “antisocial,” lacking “team integration.” The tipping point? A coworker found her wedding photos online and shared them around. Because she hadn’t shared them herself, it was seen as a betrayal.
Despite meeting deadlines, using her vacation days, and avoiding conflict, she was let go. Her privacy was treated like insubordination.
Devastated but not broken, she leaned on George and rediscovered her love for crafting. What began as emotional therapy—handmade toys and quilts—soon blossomed into a business. She built a website, gained customers, and found a community that valued authenticity and respect.
Her former employer faced backlash for its toxic culture. Meanwhile, she thrived—creating a team that celebrates individuality, not punishes it. Her story is a testament to resilience, boundaries, and the power of rebuilding on your own terms.
