Rising Above: Left My Toxic Ex to Rule the Tech World

"Thank you to my forever mentor for this amazing early birthday gift! I’ll work hard to be worthy of this beast!"

My heart sank.

I instantly remembered the blurry bank transfer screenshot Austin had shown me last week when I demanded our money back.

I quickly opened my online banking app and scrutinized the transaction history for that supposedly "refunded" $25,000.

The next second, the mouse slipped from my trembling hand.

It wasn't a refund at all.

It was a short-term personal loan from one of Austin's distant cousins.

The memo line clearly read: "Temporary loan. Repay next month."