“Good morning, Mr. Connors,” I greeted him, my voice steady. “Please, take a seat.”
He looked at me, trying to place my face. “Good morning. Thank you for seeing me today,” he said, sitting down.
I decided to play along for a while. “Your resume is impressive, Mr. Connors. You have extensive experience in management.”
He nodded, looking relieved. “Yes, I’ve worked hard over the years to build my career.”
I leaned back in my chair, studying him. “Why did you leave your last job?”
A shadow crossed his face. “The company downsized. I was one of the many who had to leave.”
“Unfortunate,” I replied, feigning sympathy. “Tell me about your family. Are you close with them?”
Arthur hesitated. “I… I have a daughter, but we’re not in touch.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Why is that?”
He looked uncomfortable. “It’s a long story. We grew apart after I separated from her mother.”
“Is that so?” I said, leaning forward. “Because the way I remember it, you abandoned them.”
His eyes widened in shock. “I… I beg your pardon?”
I stood up, leaning on the desk. “I’m your daughter, Arthur. The one you left behind.”
For a moment, he was speechless. “Kara? Is that really you?”
“Yes,” I said, my voice cold. “It’s me. And now you’re here, looking for a job from the daughter you abandoned.”
He looked down, shame coloring his features. “Kara, I’m so sorry. I’ve made mistakes…”
“Mistakes?” I interrupted. “You destroyed our family. You left us to struggle while you ran off with your young lover.”
“I regret it every day,” he said, his voice trembling. “I thought I was doing what was best…”
“Best for whom?” I snapped. “Certainly not for us.”
Arthur was silent, unable to meet my gaze. I took a deep breath, trying to control the anger that threatened to overwhelm me.
“You know, Arthur,” I began, “I dreamed of this moment for years. I wanted revenge. I wanted you to suffer the way we did. But now that you’re here, I realize that you’re already suffering. You’ve lost everything. Your career, your pride, your family.”
He looked up, tears in his eyes. “Kara, I’m begging you, please forgive me.”
I stared at him for a long moment. “I can’t forgive you, Arthur. Not yet. But I can offer you a chance to prove you’ve changed.”
His eyes lit up with hope. “Anything. I’ll do anything.”
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