Three years later, the product I'd spent those years developing finally passed its clinical trials.
Just before its official launch, the project director came to see me on behalf of the company's executive board.
"Viola, here's what management has decided. You have two options. You can return. If you do, you'll receive a promotion and lead your own R&D team. Or you can stay in Kinsford. The next confidential project will be yours to lead. If you go back, the promotion, salary, and status are all guaranteed. If you stay here... Everything is uncertain. Maybe your project becomes a huge success. Maybe it never even reaches the finish line. The choice is yours."
I slipped off my lab coat and rubbed the ache in my neck. I barely needed to think.
"I'm staying."
Over the past three years, K
