—Amira—

The first person to congratulate me was Joyce. She squealed and pulled me into a hug. “Oh my God, Amira! Congratulations!”

Before long, my other colleagues gathered around—some genuinely happy for me, others wearing thinly disguised envy.

Tears stung my eyes.

My job had flashed before me: how I had gone from almost being terminated to being promoted into one of the most coveted positions in the company still felt unreal.

Steve cleared his throat, eyes darting to the floor ...