How I Touched Them at Work

I repeatedly touched a colleague in ways I knew were unwanted. Small things at first, a hand on the back, fingers lingering too long. When they froze or laughed it off, I took that as permission. I did it for years, always careful to keep it brief and private. When they finally challenged me, I said they’d misunderstood and suggested they were being oversensitive. I stayed in post. They moved teams and eventually left. No complaint ever stuck because I framed everything as accidental. I benefited from the doubt while they carried the discomfort alone.