Chapter 1

I was pale from menstrual cramps.

The moment I asked for leave, my department supervisor Lydia Rivers threw a stack of adult diapers at me.

"Who are you putting on this dying act for? Are you actually dead from the pain right now?"

"Put on the diapers and get back to work. Don't use your period as an excuse to slack off."

Before I could react, she launched into another tirade.

"You clearly said you were healthy and could handle the work when you joined. Are you faking this just to take advantage of the company's menstrual leave policy?"

After saying this, she took a photo of me and posted it in the company group chat.

"Don't use your period as an excuse to slack off! Everyone, please take note!"

Lydia Rivers slammed a stack of adult diapers onto my desk.

"Sophia, what are you standing there for? Waiting for me to change them for you?"

Before I could process what was happening, she half-dragged, half-pulled me into the restroom.

The overwhelming stench hit me.

My stomach churned violently.

The janitor had clearly cleaned the bathroom thoroughly.

But the intense discomfort from my cramps made my senses unbearably sensitive.

I rushed to the toilet and threw up everything.

"Oh my, putting on quite a show, aren't we?"

Lydia leaned against the doorframe, waving her hand in front of her nose in disgust.

"Is it really necessary? It's just a period! What's with the fake vomiting? Your acting skills are wasted not being a Hollywood star."

My coworkers slowly gathered around.

"So dramatic. There are so many women in this company, and I've never heard of anyone needing time off for cramps."

"Come on! Once you're done with your performance, hurry up and put them on. Not everyone gets Miss Rivers' special care."

"Back when I had cramps, no supervisor personally came to check on me. You're really blessed."

Blessed?

I'd never seen someone treat harassment as a benefit.

What era is this to still be pulling workplace bullying tactics?

Everyone experiences pain differently to begin with.

Otherwise, the company wouldn't have humanely given women two days of menstrual leave each month.

Now I was in so much pain I couldn't straighten my back, and I just wanted one day off. What was wrong with that?

I said coldly, "If this is such a blessing, do you want it?"

My coworkers were about to snap back at me.

Lydia stepped forward, waving her hand and deliberately raising her voice several octaves.

"Alright, alright. She doesn't know any better, but as a supervisor, I can't be petty."

"I won't deduct the cost of the diapers from your paycheck. Consider it my personal sponsorship."

The coworkers sitting on the outskirts of the group stood up and applauded at these words.

"See that? Our supervisor Lydia is so considerate. Tell me, what company supervisor pays out of their own pocket for employees?"

"Unlike some people who don't know how good they have it!"

Lydia smugly adjusted her collar, chin held high.

"As long as it improves company efficiency, spending a little of my own money is nothing."

"Sophia, I won't hold it against you for slacking off in the bathroom this time, but don't let it happen again."

"Now go put on those diapers. Don't delay everyone's project progress."

Lydia blocked the bathroom door, forcing me to put on the adult diapers.

The familiar cramping and nausea hit me again.

I turned and threw up once more.

A loud noise startled me.

Lydia was holding a megaphone, shouting into the bathroom.

"Sophia! You've been in the bathroom for three minutes! Are you done yet?"

"Do you need me to come in and help you?"

The entire floor went silent.

Then suppressed laughter erupted.

I pushed open the door and walked out.

The anger I was suppressing and my physical pain made my whole body tremble.

When Lydia saw me come out, she immediately grabbed at my pants.

My white underwear was exposed in front of everyone.

I was furious and humiliated.

"If you want to talk, then talk. What gives you the right to pull at my pants?"

Lydia didn't get angry, but her eyes turned cold.

"You didn't change them? Looks like you're determined to defy me."

She grabbed a thick stack of archived documents and slammed them down hard next to the copy machine.

"Since you don't want to wear them, stand here and make copies. Don't talk to me again until you've printed all one thousand of these."

"Standing while you work will improve blood circulation and the pain will stop. You can't possibly expect to lie down on the job, can you?"