“Experience, market conditions, negotiation, hiring needs…”

I nodded.

“So she negotiated better.”

The HR representative gave me a careful smile.

“That can be a factor.”

For a moment, I said nothing.

Then I smiled.

“Understood.”

She probably expected me to argue.

Instead, I stood.

“Thanks for explaining.”

As I walked back to my desk, I felt something I hadn’t felt in years.

Clarity.

I had spent six years assuming that my company didn’t have the money to pay me more.

Now I knew the truth.

They had the money.

They simply hadn’t considered spending it on me.

And that was a very different problem.

That evening, Karen came by my desk.

“Don’t forget,” she said, “we need you here until seven.”

I looked at the clock.

It was 5:03.

“Of course.”

She smiled.

“You’re such a team player.”

Again, I smiled.

“Happy to help.”

But this time, I wasn’t thinking about Emily.

I was thinking about myself.

That night, I opened my résumé.

Then I opened my professional network.

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