My father is a monster. He abandoned me and my mom when I was just a child. She never stopped loving him and always dreamed of reuniting the family, but it wasn’t meant to be. He left us penniless and went off with a young lover who looked more like an older sister to me. I could never forgive him for that, and all these years, I dreamed of revenge.

Then my chance came. The heavens heard me because, many years later, when I had already established a successful career, he came to me for a job interview.

The day started like any other. I was preparing for a series of interviews with potential hires for a senior management position at my company. As I reviewed the resumes, one name stood out, hitting me like a punch to the gut: Arthur Connors. My father’s name.

I had to read the name twice to be sure. My hands trembled slightly as I picked up the phone to verify the interview schedule. Yes, it was him. The man who had abandoned my mother and me all those years ago was about to walk through my office door, not knowing he was stepping into a room with his estranged daughter.

The memories came flooding back — my mother’s tear-streaked face, the empty house, the struggle to make ends meet. The anger I had harbored for so long reignited, burning with the intensity of a thousand suns.

The clock struck ten, and there he was. Arthur Connors, older but still recognizable, entered my office with a nervous smile. He didn’t recognize me at first. Why would he? He had walked out of my life when I was barely seven.

“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.”

“You’ll start at the bottom,” I said firmly. “You’ll work hard, just like everyone else. No special treatment. And maybe, just maybe, you can begin to make amends for what you’ve done.”

Arthur nodded, tears streaming down his face. “Thank you, Kara. I won’t let you down.”

As he left my office, I felt a strange sense of relief. I had confronted my past, and while I couldn’t change it, I could control how it shaped my future. And maybe, just maybe, I could find it in my heart to forgive.