William abandons his wife and daughter to start a new life with his young mistress. But things change years later, and when William least expects things to go wrong, he comes face-to-face with his grown-up daughter.
William felt a pang of guilt as his wife anxiously looked at him. For a moment, he reconsidered his decision. He knew Linda would be devastated if she learned he had a mistress.
William and Linda had been married for 20 years, shared a 17-year-old daughter, and had lived a peaceful life in the home Linda inherited from her parents. They even started a beef jerky business a year ago, but it soon stopped making money, so William’s job supported them.
“What is it that you wanted to discuss, William?” Linda broke the silence.
“I’m seeing someone else, Linda,” William admitted. “I didn’t want us to see this day, but I-I couldn’t help it.”
“What do you mean?” Linda’s face fell. “You…have another woman? Answer me, I’m asking something!”
William hung his head. “I can’t explain it, but I love her,” he said. “She’s young, different, and we just clicked.”
“Do you even hear yourself, William?!” Linda exploded. “We’ve been married for 20 years, we have a daughter, and now—”
Linda’s buzzing phone cut her off. A court representative had called her to inform them their home was about to be seized. They’d taken a loan for the dried meat business and mortgaged their house. William was supposed to repay the debt. She had no idea the installments were past due.
“What’s your excuse for not repaying the loan, William? Are you going to leave me and our daughter on the streets while you live your fantasies with your mistress?” she exploded as she hung up. “They need $80,000! Where are we going to get that money?”
“Linda, I-I…couldn’t save enough for those payments…” William started making excuses, knowing he was to blame for everything.
Linda couldn’t stand her slacker husband anymore. “OUT!” she yelled. “Get the hell out of my house!”
Six years later…
The vehicles’ loud honking snapped William back to the moment. He stood still at the signal light. He’d been too lost in his thoughts to notice it had gone red again.
William walked out on his wife and daughter six years ago but didn’t live the desired life. Instead, he lived miserably and lost his job and new family. He’d even been on a bender to distract himself from his failure. As he headed for a job interview now, he hoped to reclaim his life.
He sat outside the interview room nervously. He had applied for a position at a beef jerky production factory. He thought his previous experience, though a failed one, would be a plus. He went inside when his number was called, and his luck was on his side because he was hired.
William began working as a packaging operator. On the third day of his job, he was busy labeling the boxes when his manager, Mr. Dunn, approached him.
“If you don’t want to be stuck in the same role, William, you gotta impress our CEO today,” Mr. Dunn grinned, nudging William, who was confused.
“You didn’t know?” Mr. Dunn continued, noticing his confused expression. “She’s coming here for an inspection!”
William wasn’t interested. He politely excused himself and got back to his job. But soon, a murmur of voices distracted him, prompting William to look up towards the entrance where Mr. Dunn greeted the CEO.
William’s jaw dropped when he saw the CEO was his daughter.
“Isabelle?” he gasped as she approached him.
“Dad?” she chirped confidently. “It’s been a long time, right?”
“How? How did you become a CEO?” he blurted.
“So you’re more concerned about my material success than how I’m doing?” she scoffed. “Don’t let this personal angle distract you. I’m here for an inspection, and you should be doing your job. And yes,” she added before walking away. “Please meet me in my office after lunch.”
William went to her office that afternoon. “Come on in!” she instructed, and he walked in and sat across from her uneasily.
“You’re not going to ask what you wanted to know back at the factory?” she said, breaking the silence. “Well, it wasn’t easy, Dad. After you left, we were homeless. We only got one-third of the money from the sale of our confiscated home. Thanks to you for not bothering to repay the debt!
“Mom gave me her last money because she didn’t want me to compromise my education. And then Aunt Georgina called one day. Mom had to move in with her, far away from me, and she said…” Isabelle paused, recalling one of the most challenging moments of her life. “Mom’s life was in danger…”
(She explains how she rebuilt everything from nothing — sneaking into the old house for equipment, perfecting a new jerky recipe, securing investors and big contracts, and saving her mother.)
“Mr. Navarro and I made the deal. I passed Chris’s inspection and got my first check. It helped me get our home back, and I could get Mom treated. We survived Dad. But I can’t stand betrayal, so you’re no longer working here. Wait for me behind the warehouse.”
About 15 minutes later, Isabelle came to meet William, but with two boxes carried by a warehouse worker. “Open it, Dad,” she said as the worker handed the boxes to William.
William found the old kitchenware and commercial oven inside, the leftovers of his and Linda’s failed business.
“I think we’re at par now, Dad. You have everything you need to start and grow a business and change your life. Just believe me. I’ve been there,” Isabelle smiled and walked away.
Note: This story is a work of fiction inspired by real events. Names, characters, and details have been altered. Any resemblance is coincidental. The author and publisher disclaim accuracy, liability, and responsibility for interpretations or reliance. All images are for illustration purposes only.
