Like one of the PPs, I had a horrible experience at a consulting firm, sexually harassed horribly, bullied, just a lot of stuff I’ve honestly blocked off. I went through proper channels and even HR was horrified—in fact, the way my case was handled, two people quit because of it.

In any case, I quit of course, I was unemployed, just in a super dark spot. I crawled my way out as you do and have since become director level at two brand name companies. My role works super cross functionally and I have had the opportunity FOUR TIMES to either not sign or cancel multi million dollar contracts with this consulting firm. I have great contacts with a lot of integrity at other places and I move the business accordingly.

This is OP: I understand being smug isn’t the right response to running into this old coworker. I actually felt guilty after I posted this! The bigger picture, for me, is recalling how very difficult that period in my life was, and how I was so alone, and how some people recognized and exploited my vulnerability and I had no meaningful recourse.

It’s not really about Christy. It’s about the fact that my life was so miserable and stressful just a few years ago, and seeing this person from that difficult time reminded me of how far I’ve come.

Anonymous wrote:This is not a "full circle" story, OP.

A full circle would be that you became rich and successful, bought out the coffee shop, and gave other struggling, divorced young women a job, mentored them, and watched them grow and become successes, too.

Your story is just spite and ego.

+1

You’ve achieved a lot in just four years. You should be proud of yourself but don’t sh!t on people, and remember that everything could bd taken away in a split second.

She’s still a decade younger than you and can achieve a lot when her time comes.