My Code Was Your Grave

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I gripped the printed flight confirmation in my hand until my knuckles turned a ghostly white.

This was supposed to be a surprise for Jackson Burkes twenty-fifth birthdaya cross-country flight from New York to San Francisco to finally close the gap of our long-distance relationship. I had spent months planning this, thousands of miles for a single moment of joy.

Then, a notification from the "Inner Circle" group chat shattered everything.

Jackson had posted a photo. It was a shot of a rumpled, messy king-sized bed, the sheets tangled in a way that left nothing to the imagination. His caption felt like a physical blow: Long distance is a joke. Turns out the little intern at the office is way more 'hands-on' than a screen.

He had clearly forgotten I was still in that chat.

The group exploded. His "bros" scrambled to do damage control, posting laughing emojis and telling him he was just "sampling the local flavor." They told me not to take it personallythat Lexi, the "struggling" intern from the scholarship program, was just being sweet and attentive, and Jackson was a guy with needs who couldn't help himself.

Jackson didn't delete the message. Instead, he tagged me directly. His tone was chillingly entitled: Since you saw it, Ill be straight with you. I had a few drinks last night, and I couldn't resist her.

Michelle, youve always been the sensible one. Dont be a drama queen about this.

So, the reason he missed my birthday call? The reason he said he was pulled into an all-nighter at the lab to finish the "breakthrough" project? It was all a lie.

He wasn't in a lab. He was in a hotel room, exploring someone else.

Lexi, the so-called "impoverished" intern, decided to chime in with her own brand of toxic sweetness: Im so sorry, Michelle. You have everythingthe career, the moneybut I only have Jackson. Please don't hate me...

I stared at the screen, a jagged, cold laugh escaping my throat.

Slowly, deliberately, I tore the flight confirmation into tiny, unrecognizable shreds.

Jackson, if you love "charity cases" so much, then you can rot in the gutter with her.

Michelle, since youre reading the chat, Im not going to waste time explaining.

The phone rang before I could even process the silence. Jackson didn't even wait for me to say hello. You need to apologize to Lexi right now so we can move past this.

I need to apologize to her? I squeezed the phone, my nails digging into my palm.

You went radio silent in the group chat, Michelle. Do you have any idea how that looks? Its passive-aggressive, Jackson snapped, his voice thick with self-righteousness. Lexi was so intimidated by your silence that she cried all night! She thinks you're going to use your influence to ruin her.

Ruin her? My laugh was brittle. Jackson, youre playing house with a girl using the money I sent you to cover your living expenses while you built that project. And youre telling me you're the one being tortured?

Don't bring up the money again! Jacksons voice rose, a sure sign Id hit a nerve. Whats a few thousand dollars anyway? Once I land the core investment, Ill be worth ten million. Lexi is the one pulling all-nighters running data for me. What do you do? You send 'good luck' texts from three thousand miles away. Youre useless to me here.

In the background, I heard a soft, performative sob.

Jackson, dont be mean to Michelle, Lexis voice drifted through the speaker, thin and fragile. Its my fault. Im not high-class like her. Ill just leave

Lexi, stay put! Jackson muffled the receiver, but I could still hear him. She doesnt know the first thing about back-end architecture. Without you, this project would have folded months ago.

My blood ran cold.

Back-end architecture? The "core project" he was so proud of?

I had spent the last year pulling actual all-nighters, writing every single line of that proprietary code and sending it to him so he wouldn't feel like a failure.

Jackson, I said, my voice so calm it terrified me. Are you sure you want to burn this bridge today?

Burn it? Jackson scoffed. Dont try to threaten me with a breakup. You either get in that chat and tell everyone you forgive her, or were done. Period.

Understood.

I hung up and immediately left the group chat.

The next morning, I didn't cancel my flight. I boarded the plane to San Francisco. But I wasn't going there to win him back.

I was going to take back what belonged to me.

Three hours later, I stood outside the door of the luxury apartment Jackson was "renting" near campus. I still had the code. When I pushed the door open, the scent of a floral perfume that wasn't mine hit me like a physical wave.

Everything had changed. Lexis cheap heels were tossed in the foyer. On the sofa sat a pile of designer hoodies Id bought for Jackson; they had been shredded and used as cleaning rags.

The bedroom door was ajar.

Lexi was sitting at my vanity, slathering a thick layer of a bespoke, $800-an-ounce night creama set I hadn't even openedonto her face. Jackson was behind her, his arms wrapped around her waist, his chin resting on her shoulder.

Jackson, Lexi pouted into the mirror. Michelles stuff feels so cheap. My skin is actually breaking out.

She always was a bit of a penny-pincher, Jackson murmured, kissing her neck. Just wait until tomorrow. Once Astra Ventures signs that 0-00 million check, Im taking you to Bergdorfs. Well buy you the real stuff.

I leaned against the doorframe, my voice cutting through the air like a blade.

Thats a custom Biologique Recherche line, Lexi. Its five thousand dollars a bottle. The reason it feels 'off' is because your skin isn't used to anything that isn't sold at a drugstore.

They both spun around. Jacksons face went pale, then instantly morphed into a mask of fury as he stepped in front of Lexi.

Michelle? Are you stalking me now? Who gave you permission to be here!

I pay the lease on this apartment, Jackson. I don't need permission. I looked at his protective stance and felt a wave of nausea.

You pay? Please. Jackson let out a derisive snort. The two thousand you send me barely covers the utilities in a place like this. Stop trying to play the big-shot benefactor. Its pathetic.

He had no idea. I hadn't rented this place; Id bought it outright a year ago so he could live in comfort. The "two thousand dollars in rent" I asked for was a lie I told to protect his fragile ego.

Lexi cowered behind him, her eyes red. Michelle, please dont be mad. Ill wash it off. Ive just never seen such pretty things before. I was curious... Please don't stress Jackson out. He has the biggest meeting of his life tomorrow.

Shut up, I said coldly. Youre a footnote, Lexi. Don't speak to me.

I walked past them and grabbed the laptop sitting on the desk. It was my laptopthe one containing the original source code for the entire architecture.

Jackson grabbed my wrist, his grip so tight I felt my bones groan. Are you crazy? Thats Lexis computer! Shes been working on that data for a month!

Her computer? I wrenched my arm back and pointed to the small, elegant engraving on the bottom of the chassis: M.S. I had this custom-built last year. Those are my initials, Jackson. Youre not just a liar; youre a thief.

Lexi burst into theatrical tears. Jackson, I did that! I told you! I engraved 'My Soul' on it so Id never forget how much you supported me! Why is she being so cruel?

Jacksons eyes turned bloodshot with rage. He swung his hand, and the sound of the slap echoed through the room.

Crack.

My head snapped to the side. My ears rang, and I tasted the metallic tang of blood in my mouth.

Michelle, you are psychotic! Jackson yelled, pointing a finger at me. You can't handle the fact that Lexi is actually talented. Youre so jealous that she helped me finish the code that youre trying to steal it? Youre evil!

I held my burning cheek and looked at him. Really looked at him.

You hit me.

And Ill do it again if you don't get out! Jacksons face was twisted with disgust. Leave! Now! Before you ruin anything else!

I didn't scream. I didn't cry. I simply lifted the laptop and slammed it onto the hardwood floor with everything I had.

The screen shattered. The chassis buckled.

No! Jackson screamed, diving for the wreckage. The source code! The meeting is tomorrow!

Since its 'hers,' she can fix it, I said, turning on my heel.

Behind me, Lexi let out a strangled gasp. Jackson... the motherboard is crushed! We don't have a backup of the final build! What are we going to do?

Michelle! You bitch! You're not leaving! Jackson lunged at me, grabbing the collar of my coat and slamming me against the wall. Give me the cloud password. Now. Or Im calling the police!

My back throbbed from the impact. I looked into the eyes of the man I had loved for two yearsa man who was now a monster for the sake of a girl who had stolen my life.

Jackson, do you know why I kept the primary build on a local drive? I whispered, my voice terrifyingly steady. Because it was my heart. Go ahead. Call the cops. Tell them youre trying to scam Astra Ventures out of ten million dollars using a program you didn't write.

Jackson froze. A flicker of genuine panic crossed his eyes.

Lexi ran over, clutching Jacksons arm. Michelle, how can you be so heartless? Jackson is right on the edge of success! If you withhold that password, youre destroying his entire future! If you ever loved him, youd sacrifice this for him!

Love? I looked at her with pure disdain. Youre a thief, Lexi. You stole a boyfriend and a few lines of code. You don't get to talk to me about sacrifice.

I didn't steal anything! Lexi sobbed, burying her face in Jacksons chest. Jackson, I didn't... we worked on that data together!

Enough! Jackson shoved me aside and pulled Lexi into his arms. When he looked at me again, his eyes were dead. I see who you really are now, Michelle. We are done. Permanently.

Good.

I straightened my coat. Just then, my phone began to vibrate violently in my pocket.

It was my mothers lead surgeon.

Ms. Griffith? Your mothers condition has taken a sharp turn. We need to move her into the second stage of the targeted immunotherapy immediately. But we ran into an issuethe two hundred thousand dollars you deposited into the hospital escrow account was withdrawn this morning. We can't proceed without the funds.

My heart stopped. The world seemed to tilt on its axis.

I looked up at Jackson, my voice trembling. You touched the money? My mothers medical fund?

I had put that money into a joint account under his name months ago to keep his credit score up for the "business," thinking hed never touch what I told him was for my mothers life-saving treatment.

Jackson showed zero remorse. He actually laughed. Medical fund? You mean the money you saved by skimping on my allowance for the last two years? That was my money, Michelle. Lexi needed a dress for the Astra gala tomorrow. She couldn't show up looking like a peasant. I wasn't going to let her be embarrassed.

Two hundred thousand dollars, I whispered, my vision blurring with hot, angry tears. You spent my mothers life on a dress?

Stop acting like a martyr, Jackson snapped. Your mother has been a vegetable for a year. Why waste good money on a lost cause?

Lexi reached up and nervously touched a diamond necklace glinting at her throat. Michelle... the necklace was only sixty thousand... it wasn't the whole two hundred... The rest went to my private coaching fees for the presentation. Jackson just wanted me to look the part.

I didn't think. I lunged forward and delivered a stinging slap across Lexis face.

She screamed, collapsing to the floor and clutching her cheek, gasping for air as if she were dying.

Lexi! Jackson roared. He stepped forward and kicked me squarely in the stomach.

The force of it sent me flying backward. I crashed into the pile of broken glass from the vanity Lexi had knocked over earlier. The shards sliced through my white cashmere sweater, and I felt the warm bloom of blood against my skin.

Don't you touch her! Jackson stood over me, his face a mask of pure malice. He brought his heavy boot down on my hand, grinding it into the floor. Your mother can rot for all I care. But if you touch Lexi again, I will make sure you never walk again.

The pain was blinding. I felt my fingers pop, the agony radiating up my arm.

I watched him. I watched him pick Lexi up with the tenderness of a saint, whispering sweet nothings into her ear.

Give me the password, Jackson said, looking down at me as if I were a cockroach. Consider that two hundred thousand the price for your life. Give it to me, or your mother gets kicked out of that clinic tonight.

He didn't know that I was the primary donor for that clinic.

I gritted my teeth, pulling myself up from the glass, inch by agonizing inch. I looked him in the eye.

The password is my birthday.

Jackson immediately pulled out his phone, his thumbs flying. Once he saw the "Access Granted" screen for the cloud drive, he let out a sigh of relief. The look of disgust returned to his face.

Get your trash and get out. Now.

I dragged myself toward the door, my hand dripping blood onto the pristine floor of the apartment I had bought for a ghost.

The next evening. The Grand Ballroom of the Fairmont San Francisco.

The room was a sea of black ties, silk gowns, and the heavy scent of old money. Jackson Burke was the man of the hour, glowing under the crystal chandeliers as he basked in the praise of the tech elite. Lexi was on his arm, draped in the sixty-thousand-dollar necklace, preening under the spotlight.

Mr. Burke, the rumors about this algorithm are incredible, one of the venture capital titans said, raising a glass.

Youre too kind, Jackson beamed, patting Lexis hand. But I can't take all the credit. My partner, Lexi Moore, is the true genius here. Shes the architect of the vision.

Lexi blushed, looking down with practiced modesty. Jackson is being modest. Hes the one who guided me.

A ripple of polite applause went through the crowd.

I stepped off the elevator and entered the room. I wasn't wearing a gown. I was wearing a simple black suit, my hand wrapped in a thick, ugly bandage.

Well, look who it is, Lexi said. She had spotted me and broken away from the crowd, intercepting me near the bar. The bitter ex. Are you here to beg for a job?

I didn't answer. I walked toward the wine service.

Lexis face twisted with annoyance at being ignored. She took a step forward, grabbed a glass of red wine, andwith a theatrical gasppoured it over her own head.

Ah!

She shrieked, falling to the floor in a heap of wet silk. Michelle, please! Im sorry! Ill give him back, just dont hurt me!

The music stopped. Every eye in the ballroom turned toward us.

Jackson charged through the crowd like a bull. When he saw Lexi shaking on the floor, drenched in wine, and me standing there with a cold, blank expression, his rage boiled over.

Michelle!

He didn't hesitate. He stepped up and swung.

I didn't flinch. I didn't block.

Crack.

The blow was so hard it sent me to the floor. My bandaged hand hit the marble, and I felt the stitches tear. Blood began to seep through the white gauze instantly.

The room went silent.

I slowly sat up, wiping a smear of blood from my lip with my good hand. I looked at the faces around methe judgment, the mockery. I looked at Jackson, standing tall in his stolen glory. I looked at Lexi, smirking from the safety of his arms.

The CEO of Astra Ventures will be here any minute, Jackson hissed, leaning down so only I could hear. Were signing a ten-million-dollar deal. Tomorrow, Im calling our legal team. Ill make sure you spend the rest of your life in a cell for harassment and extortion.

Jackson, I said, my voice carrying through the hushed hall. You said youd use Astras legal team against me?

Youre damn right!

Just then, the massive gold-leaf doors of the ballroom were thrown open. A phalanx of security guards in black suits cleared a path.

Victor Blackwell, the Executive Vice President of Astra Venturesa man known as the "Executioner" in the business worldstrode into the room.

Jacksons eyes lit up. He shoved Lexi aside and rushed forward, his face turning into a mask of pathetic sycophancy.

Mr. Blackwell! Sir! Youre here. Please, excuse the scene. Just a disgruntled former associate. Ill have security clear her out so we can sign the documents

Victor Blackwell didn't even blink at Jackson.

He walked right past the man, ignoring his outstretched hand. He stepped directly in front of me.

Before the shocked eyes of every billionaire and socialite in San Francisco, the man who held the keys to the citys kingdomthe man everyone in this room fearedbowed. A deep, ninety-degree bow.

His voice was thick with genuine terror.

Miss Griffith.