My boss fired me 9 days after I told her I was pregnant with twins. She claimed "zero work." 12 minutes later, she posted my job online.

She didn't smile. She didn't say congrats. She revoked my admin access on the system that same afternoon. Nine days later, June 21, I got the email. Terminated. The reason: "Reduction in business volume."

I sat in my car, feeling like I couldn't breathe, and refreshed LinkedIn. Posted 12 minutes ago by Dora: "Senior Designer Needed. Urgent. High Volume Projects." She lied. She didn't lack work; she just saw my condition as a liability.

She contested my unemployment claim the next day. She said I was "physically unavailable." She cut my insurance. COBRA costs $2,200 a month. I have $420 in checking. My high-risk scan is Tuesday.

But Dora messed up. She told the Penthouse client—my biggest account—that I quit because I became unreliable." Yesterday, that client called my personal cell. "Sarah, the new team just put the wrong marble in the foyer. It’s a $15,000 mistake. Dora says you’re too sick to fix it. Is that true?"

Dora used my pregnancy to hide her team's mess. I didn't argue. I just forwarded the client my termination email. Proof I was fired for "low volume," not sickness.

The twist? The client didn't just get mad. She fired the studio. She Venmoed $3,500 to my personal account as a retainer to fix the marble.

I paid for my scan this morning. Two strong pulses. Dora sent a legal letter today claiming I "poached" the client. I didn't poach anyone. I just picked up the phone. I have no savings and two babies coming, but I realized something: Dora didn't end my career. She unintentionally started my business.

My boss fired me because I’m pregnant with twins. She thinks she cleared a liability. She forgot I’m the only one who knows the passwords.

I’m sitting at my kitchen table in Denver. There's a letter from my insurance provider in front of me. Coverage ended at midnight. To keep it, I need to pay $2,200 immediately.

My bank balance is $421.50. I’m a single mom with a six-year-old. I’m four months pregnant with twins. I need scans every two weeks. I need to hear their pulses this week. I can’t pay for it.

Ten days ago, I was a Senior Interior Designer. I was the one clients texted on weekends. I fixed the mistakes the owner, Dora, made. I thought we were a team. But last Tuesday, I learned that "team" is just a word bosses use to get free overtime.

I just opened my laptop to apply for food stamps. Then I saw an email from the biggest client I was managing. Dora lied to them about why I’m gone.

[April 2023]

I should have known in April. I was running the three massive accounts keeping the studio alive: The Miller Estate, the Davies Renovation, and the Vance Penthouse. I needed this paycheck. I was saving every dollar for the babies.

Dora called me into her office. She poured me coffee. She never does that. "Sarah," she said. "You’re doing too much. I’m taking Miller and Davies off your plate. Let the juniors handle them. You just focus on the Vance Penthouse. It’s the big one."

I smiled. I trusted her. I thought she was looking out for me. I was naive. She wasn't helping me. She was moving the assets so she could drop me later without crashing the business.

[June 12]

I found out about the twins in May. I was scared to tell her. I walked into her office on June 12. "Dora, big news. I’m pregnant. Twins." The room went totally silent. She didn't hug me. She looked at my stomach like it was a lawsuit waiting to happen.

"Oh," she said. Her voice was flat. "That’s... going to be a lot of logistics, isn't it?"

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[June 21]

Nine days later. I was finishing the marble order for Vance. An email landed in my inbox.

From: Dora (Owner)
Subject: Employment Status
"Sarah, due to a sudden decrease in business volume, your position is eliminated immediately. Do not return to the office."

My hands started shaking. Decrease in volume? I was working 12 hours a day.

I opened LinkedIn on my phone. [Job Alert: Dora’s Studio is hiring a Senior Interior Designer. Posted 12 minutes ago.]

There it was. She wasn't downsizing. She was swapping out the pregnant woman for someone cheaper and "less complicated."

[June 22]

I called three lawyers. They all said the same thing: "It’s unlawful, but proving it takes time and money." I don't have time. Rent is due on the 1st. My scan is Friday.

[June 23]

I emailed HR (Dora's sister) asking for a reference. The reply was one line: "We don't give references for employees let go for performance issues." Performance issues? I worked there for 2.5 years. I never had a single write-up.

[June 24]

My phone buzzed. Jessica, a junior designer I trained, texted me. Jessica: "Hey Sarah! Dora said you left because the pregnancy was messing with your health. Honestly, just rest! The studio is super busy, you don't need the stress!"

I felt sick. "Messing with my health"? Dora was telling everyone I quit because I was disposable. She was using my babies as the excuse. My phone rang. It was Mrs. Vance. The Penthouse owner.

"Sarah? I’m looking at the wrong tile. The girl Dora sent—Jessica—says this is what you ordered. Is that true?" I held my breath. If I tell the truth, Dora comes after me. If I lie, I keep my reputation clean, but I lose the client and the money I need to survive.

"Mrs. Vance," I said. "I didn't order that tile. And I didn't quit." "What?"

"Dora fired me nine days after I told her I was pregnant. She told you I was sick to keep the contract. I wanted to finish your home, but she locked me out of the system." Silence. Then Mrs. Vance said, "Can you fix this?"

"I don't have the files. I’m an independent contractor now. I’d have to bill you." "I don't care about files. I care about my house. Send me a contract. Now."

I drafted an invoice on my phone. My fingers were sweating. Consulting Retainer: $3,500. I tapped send. Two minutes later. Ping. Payment Received.

[Today]

I’m working from my kitchen table. There are fabric samples next to my prenatal vitamins. I paid for the ultrasound. Two strong pulses. My daughter got her ice cream.

Dora sent a legal letter this morning. She’s scared. She knows Mrs. Vance talks to everyone in Denver. I’m not safe yet. I have no team, no benefits, and I’m tired. But I’m looking at the ultrasound picture on my fridge.

Dora thought I was disposable because I’m a mom. She forgot that a mom will do anything to feed her kids. I survived today. But with twins coming in November, is one client enough?