Per my instructions, Carlos dug up as much dirt as possible on Mackenzie Billings, which became plentiful. It took two weeks to uncover sufficient evidence to destroy her reputation. We leaked it to rival news outlets. Everyone blamed her for the unethical activities and toxic workplace she created and thrived in. But even that wasn’t enough for me; I wanted to ensure she would never recover from this.

The night before I had to return to Los Angeles, I emailed Miss Billings. I trashed my hotel room to make it look like a struggle. I opened the bedside drawers, cracked the bathroom mirror, and threw a lamp at the television. Wearing a disguise, I escaped through the fire escape. I took a taxi to the Spanish countryside, where Carlos paid for my stay. The next day, my disappearance made the news, and although Primera Opción received most of the blame, Billings still got heat for not protecting me from foul play. With her and the newspaper’s reputation in ruins, Miss Billings resigned as CEO. The authorities arrested her for illegal wiretapping, embezzlement, bribery, and other crimes. They sentenced her to thirty years in prison.

Despite the final outcome, I couldn’t shake the guilt that lingered in my mind. I didn’t dare go home, let alone contact Miss Martha or Louis. The only family I had were either estranged or dead and my previous work prevented me from making friends. With Miss Billings in jail, my condo would be too expensive without her funds. Having no other choice, I moved to a coastal town in Greece and changed my identity, appearance, and name. I got a job as an article writer for the local magazine. My past became the subject I never brought up, regardless of whether others were aware of it or not. Until a wounded flamingo ended up on the beach near my apartment.

Editor: Lucy Cafiero