Chapter 1I just closed a ten-million-dollar deal for the family company. My year-end bonus? A fucking IOU.
[Employee Jasmine Carter owes the company: $500,000]
My brother got a sports car. My sister got a loft.
Even the new intern got a fat check from CEO Mom.
I tried asking her about it. Mom's response?
"You took an unauthorized day off last month. Cost us a major client."
My blood ran cold. "Mom, I had surgery scheduled. And I requested time off—YOU denied it."
She stared me down like I'd committed a crime.
"Denied means NO. You don't just walk out."
"You're my daughter. You should be setting an example, not slacking off."
Then she turned to my siblings—her whole face softened.
"You two busted your asses cleaning up HER mess. The client still bailed, but I know you two did everything you could."
"These rewards? You earned them."
Bryce and Kylie literally cheered.
I stood there gripping that IOU. My knuckles went white.
Brother wants to watch the World Cup? Approved.
Sister wants to hit a concert? Approved.
I need surgery? Lazy. Request denied.
Then Mom announced she was taking the whole company out for a celebration dinner.
Everyone except me.
I'd be staying behind to "pay back what I 'owe'."
Funny thing, though.
That account with millions of followers—the one actually making money for this company?
That's MY account.
And I can take it back anytime.
---
When Mom said the whole company was going to dinner, everyone cheered.
I got up like a zombie. Clutched that five-million-dollar IOU. Got in line at the very back.
My brother Bryce Carter said, "Mom, let's take my new car. We can all fit."
Mom smiled and nodded. My sister Kylie Carter hopped in first.
Then Bryce. Dad. Mom.
I was about to get in when Mom waved at this girl.
"One seat left. Kaia, c'mon."
"You're like our poster girl. Clients can't stop gushing about how hot you are."
Kaia beamed. "Aww Mrs. Carter, stop it."
"But someone's been going around saying I'm full of myself. Says she won't hire me full-time."
She glanced at me.
I almost laughed.
This girl was on her phone half the day. Selfies. Games. Wouldn't help clients.
We got complaints. Almost lost some deals.
I said something once. Now she's acting hurt?
Was about to explain when Kylie jumped in.
"Jasmine's just jealous."
She looked at me. "Look at her. Face full of zits. Doesn't even try."
"Clients probably see her and run."
Kaia laughed. Totally fake. "Pretty people just get each other. Love Kylie. Always wanted to be tight with her."
Mom smiled at them.
"Kaia and Kylie—you two are like my real kids."
Then she looked at me. Pure disgust in her eyes.
"You? Taking you anywhere is embarrassing."
"Jasmine, stay here and work off your debt."
The car left. The office was empty.
Just me. And Felix, the janitor.
I smiled. "Happy Thanksgiving Felix. Finish up and go home, yeah?"
He looked weird. Handed me a mop.
"Jasmine... your mom said I could go to dinner. Said you'd do my stuff."
I froze. Checked my phone.
Mom's message in the group chat:
[@Jasmine—Clean the bathrooms. Big clients next week.]
I was holding that mop so tight my hands hurt.
"I've got client meetings. Can't do this."
Sent a voice note to the group.
Bryce replied right away. Laughing emoji.
[Jasmine making excuses again.]
Kylie: [You? With clients? They'd see your face and leave.]
Chapter 2
Everyone in the chat started going off. Making fun of how I look.
Saying Felix looks younger than me.
I felt sick. Looked up. Saw myself in the mirror.
Dark circles. Face covered in acne. Lips basically white.
I barely ate trying to close deals. Stayed up all night editing videos, writing scripts.
Always came in first. Worked the most overtime. Couldn't even get one sick day.
My nose burned. I felt like shit. Angry. Just done.
When my parents started this company, it was my account that paid for it. My millions of followers.
After I graduated, I said no to huge companies. Mom promised it'd be different here.
I landed the clients. Closed the deals. Did everything.
They took my money. Lived like kings. Then made fun of me for looking bad.
I grabbed screenshots of my projects. Posted them in the chat.
Three months. Ten million in profit.
Chat went silent.
Then Mom said: "You think clients signed with you because of you?"
"Let me tell you the truth."
"First—your brother and sister look good."
"Second—our company's got reach. People buy from us."
"What's that got to do with you?"
I was shaking. Held the phone up. My lips were shaking too.
"But I built that account. The one with millions of followers—"
Mom laughed.
"You made an account. So what? You edit videos, write scripts. Big deal."
"Everyone followed us for your brother and sister."
"If you were in the videos, we'd lose followers."
I put the phone down. Tears hit the floor.
But Mom—if that's true, why haven't Bryce and Kylie's accounts blown up? Not even close.
I scrolled through the account.
When I started, I was in every video. Smiling. Happy.
Then my siblings wanted in. Made me build their "perfect image."
We lost so many followers.
They couldn't see it. Thought those millions loved them.
I wiped my face. Changed the account password.
Let's see if they can land deals without it.
I tried to order food. Nine-dollar meal on a delivery app.
Hit pay.
[Insufficient balance.]
I froze.
Wait, what?
Called Mom. "Why's all my money gone?"
"Jasmine, you owe the company five million. Remember?"
"So we took your card. That hundred thousand you saved? We're using it for your debt."
Then heard Kylie in the background.
"Mom, Kaia's birthday is coming up. Can we use Jasmine's money? Bryce and I wanna throw her a party."
Mom didn't even hesitate. "Sure."
"But let me say something. Jasmine's salary is so low and she still saved a hundred grand. You and Bryce make three times what she does. You're still asking me for money."
Kylie started whining. Acting all cute.
My head was spinning.
Chapter 3
When we first joined the company, Mom gave us each a card.
Said whoever saved the most got a five-thousand-dollar bonus at the end of the year.
Bryce and Kylie won every single year.
Never me.
I thought I wasn't saving enough.
Turns out Mom just didn't wanna give it to me.
She kept going. "Jasmine, all your paychecks now go toward your debt."
"You live at home. You don't need money."
Before I could say anything, Kaia texted me:
"Jasmine, your mom's so generous. I said I never owned anything gold and she gave me her gold necklace."
That necklace. I gave it to her for Thanksgiving.
I was gripping my phone. My voice came out raspy.
"Give it back."
Mom's voice came through. Confused.
"What?"
"The necklace. Give it back."
She laughed. "Jasmine, you gave that to me. Now you want it back?"
"You know I gave it to you. WHY'D YOU GIVE IT AWAY?!"
I was yelling now.
Kylie grabbed the phone. Voice all fake-sweet.
"Jasmine, Kaia grew up poor. Mom felt bad. She gave her one necklace. What's the big deal?"
Could hear Mom in the background.
"So petty. That style was cheap anyway. I didn't even like it."
"Kaia, don't feel bad. I'll take you shopping for something better."
I didn't say anything. Wiped my face.
Hung up. Texted a client.
"Hi, send the final payment to this account."
The money came through.
I worked till midnight. Got home same time as my family.
Mom saw me.
"You done fixing things?"
She meant Bryce's screwup.
He read a brand name wrong during a livestream. Again.
Every time, I stayed up all night smoothing things over with the client.
This time? Acted like I didn't hear her.
"Mom's talking to you!"
Kylie ripped my mask off. Froze when she saw my face. Smooth. Clear.
"Jasmine... you get work done?"
"Are you serious?"
Everyone turned on me.
"So you didn't fix the mess? You went and got work done?"
"Jasmine, where'd you even get the money?"
Mom tried to grab my phone.
I stepped back. Held it tight.
"Weren't you the ones saying I'm ugly? That clients would run?"
Kylie snapped.
"You're not even on camera!"
"And you're so ugly. Getting work done is like putting lipstick on a pig."
Mom nodded.
"Should've given that money to your brother, sister, and Kaia. They'd actually look good."
I laughed. Didn't argue.
Opened my bedroom door.
Someone screamed. "What are you doing? I'm changing!"
Kaia was there. No shirt. Glaring at me.
I turned around.
"Wait. Isn't this my room?"
Bryce coughed.
"Kaia said someone's following her. Her apartment's not safe. Mom said she could stay."
"So she gets my room? Where do I sleep?"
Mom frowned.
"Sleep anywhere. There's a couch. Folding chair at the office. Pick one."
Kaia came out. Voice all hesitant.
"Mrs. Carter... Jasmine can share with me. I don't mind."
"No Kaia. Jasmine's too big. She'd crush you."
Mom's voice was so soft with her. Then looked at me.
"Ugh. Jasmine, why can't you be more like Kaia?"
"Be like Kaia?"
I smiled. "Okay."
"I'll play games at work. Clients ask for water? I'll tell them to get it themselves."
"Show up late. Leave early. Call in sick seven times a month—"
Mom slapped me.
