Chapter 9: The Trial of Fire
"Tyler," I said softly, stepping closer.
He took two steps backward, keeping his eyes glued to the tiled floor. "I... I don't want to cause any trouble. I didn't know this was your foundation until last week. I was going to quit tomorrow so I wouldn't offend you."
"Why are you working here?" I asked.
He wiped his wet hands on his apron, his voice raw with exhaustion. "Because no one else would hire a disgraced ex-CEO with no references. And... because for the first time in my life, the work I'm doing actually feeds somebody instead of taking from them."
He swallowed hard, fighting back tears. "I make twelve dollars an hour. Half of it goes to paying back the debts I incurred. The other half pays for a room above a garage."
"And the grand life you wanted?"
"I was blind," Tyler said, shaking his head. "When I threw you out, I thought I was a god. But standing at this sink for twelve hours a day... I finally understand what you tried to tell me. Character isn't what people say about you at galas. It’s what you do when nobody is watching."
He looked up, his eyes resting on my swollen belly with genuine sorrow, not entitlement. "Is... is the baby doing well?"
"A boy," I replied gently. "He's healthy."
May you like
Tyler nodded, tears slipping into his beard. "I'm glad. He deserves a mother like you. And... he's better off without the man I used to be."
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