Chapter 4: A Different Beginning
Chapter 4: A Different Beginning
Six months passed.
Ward Global reported its strongest financial quarter in company history.
Employee salaries increased.
Scholarship programs expanded.
Factories received long-overdue safety upgrades.
For years profits had come before people.
That changed the day I returned.
One afternoon Michael entered my office.
"There's someone downstairs asking to see you."
"Who?"
He hesitated.
"Daniel."
I looked through the window overlooking the city.
"Send him up."
A few moments later he stepped inside.
He wore an inexpensive suit.
No expensive watch.
No designer shoes.
No arrogance.
Just exhaustion.
"I don't want anything," he said.
"I know."
"I came to apologize."
I studied him quietly.
"You've done that before."
"This time I'm not asking for another chance."
He placed an envelope on my desk.
"The divorce papers."
Already signed.
No demands.
No conditions.
"I should have respected you."
I nodded.
"Yes."
"I should have loved you."
Another pause.
"Yes."
"I destroyed everything."
"You destroyed what we had."
His eyes filled with tears.
"I finally understand."
I believed that too.
Growth sometimes arrives only after complete loss.
I signed my name.
Our marriage officially ended.
He stood.
"Goodbye, Elena."
"Goodbye, Daniel."
May you like
He walked away without looking back.
Neither did I.
