{"id":5941,"date":"2025-01-04T03:52:33","date_gmt":"2025-01-04T03:52:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/momentsunfolded.com\/?p=5941"},"modified":"2025-01-04T03:52:36","modified_gmt":"2025-01-04T03:52:36","slug":"my-new-coworker-walked-in-and-i-instantly-knew-he-was-the-one-who-had-once-destroyed-my-world-story-of-the-day-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/momentsunfolded.com\/archives\/5941","title":{"rendered":"My New Coworker Walked In, and I Instantly Knew He Was the One Who Had Once Destroyed My World \u2013 Story of the Day"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n
\n

Walking into the office that morning, I expected another ordinary day of burying myself in work. But then I saw him \u2014 the man who had destroyed my life. My chest tightened, and the memories came flooding back. I had no idea how to handle it. I knew I couldn\u2019t stay in the same room as him\n

 \n

\n
\"Angry\n\n
Angry man\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

I woke up again with a heavy weight on my chest as if a giant stone pinned me to the bed. I glanced at the clock. 7.45 a.m. If I didn\u2019t get up now, I\u2019d be late for work. Again.\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\"For\n\n

For illustration purposes only.\n\n\n

\n

Forcing myself to push through the oppressive feeling, I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood up.\n\n

\n

The floor was a mess \u2014 clothes everywhere, clean and dirty jumbled together in careless heaps.\n\n

\n

I grabbed whatever was closest, pulling on a wrinkled shirt and pants, then headed downstairs. My footsteps felt heavier with each step.\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\"For\n\n

For illustration purposes only.\n\n\n

\n

Sophie was already in the kitchen. She moved with purpose, scrubbing dishes I should have washed last night.\n\n

\n

She didn\u2019t even glance at me. She shouldn\u2019t have to clean up after me, but here we were.\n\n

\n

She had grown up too fast, taking on responsibilities no teenager should have. My chest tightened again, but this time it wasn\u2019t just the heaviness. It was guilt.\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\"For\n\n

For illustration purposes only.\n\n\n

\n

\u201cWant me to make you breakfast?\u201d I asked.\n\n

\n

\u201cNo. I\u2019m fine,\u201d Sophie said, her tone sharp and distant. She didn\u2019t even look up, busy zipping her backpack and grabbing a banana from the counter.\n\n

\n

\u201cNeed a ride to school?\u201d I asked, even though I knew what her answer would be.\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

\u201cGrandma\u2019s taking me,\u201d she replied flatly, moving toward the door without slowing.\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\"For\n\n

For illustration purposes only.\n\n\n

\n

I hesitated but followed her. \u201cI just wanted to wish you a good day.\u201d\n\n

\n

\u201cRight,\u201d she muttered under her breath, shaking her head.\n\n

\n

As she opened the door, my eyes landed on the photo on the wall. Kira was smiling brightly, holding a little Sophie in her arms. They both looked so happy, so carefree.\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\"For\n\n

For illustration purposes only.\n\n\n

\n

\u201cYou know you\u2019re not the only one who lost her, right?\u201d Sophie said suddenly, her voice tight. Before I could respond, she walked out and shut the door behind her.\n\n

\n

I stared at the photo for a long time, then at the wedding ring still on my finger. \u201cWe miss you so much,\u201d I whispered to Kira\u2019s picture.\n\n

\n

Before I could head back to the kitchen, my phone buzzed on the counter. It was a message from Mom.\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\"For\n\n

For illustration purposes only.\n\n\n

\n

@Mom:\n\n

\n

Sophie has a debate competition tomorrow. It would be good if you came.\n\n

\n

I stared at the screen for a moment. Mom had done so much for us this past year, stepping in when I couldn\u2019t.\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

I\u2019d barely been a person \u2014 just a shell going through the motions. Mom had kept Sophie steady when I couldn\u2019t even get out of bed.\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\"For\n\n

For illustration purposes only.\n\n\n

\n

@Ethan:\n\n

\n

She doesn\u2019t want me there\n\n

\n

@Mom:\n\n

\n

She\u2019ll appreciate it if you come.\n\n

\n

I let out a heavy sigh. Tossing the phone into my pocket, I grabbed my work bag, headed to the door, and left.\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\"For\n\n

For illustration purposes only.\n\n\n

\n

The moment I walked into the office, I heard footsteps approaching before I even made it to my desk. It was Mr. Harris, my boss.\n\n

\n

\u201cEthan, good morning,\u201d he said, his tone upbeat, as though he had good news to share. I gave him a quick nod and kept moving toward my desk, hoping he wouldn\u2019t follow. He did.\n\n

\n

\u201cRemember we talked about bringing someone in to help with your workload?\u201d he asked, keeping pace with me.\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\"For\n\n

For illustration purposes only.\n\n\n

\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d I replied flatly. I didn\u2019t care. More work, less work, it didn\u2019t matter. I just wanted to bury myself in tasks, anything to stop thinking for a while.\n\n

\n

\u201cWell, we found someone great. Mark, come over here!\u201d Mr. Harris called out, his voice cheerful.\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

I didn\u2019t bother looking up, shuffling papers on my desk as if I were already busy.\n\n

\n

Then I saw a hand extend toward me. I looked up reluctantly and froze. It was\u00a0him.\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\"For\n\n

For illustration purposes only.\n\n\n

\n

My chest tightened, and for a moment, I couldn\u2019t breathe. Mark\u2019s face mirrored my shock, and I saw fear flicker in his eyes.\n\n

\n

\u201cWhat are you doing here?!\u201d I shouted, my voice loud enough to turn heads across the office.\n\n

\n

\u201cI… I didn\u2019t know you worked here. I\u2019m sorry,\u201d he stammered.\n\n

\n

Mr. Harris stepped in quickly, concern etched on his face. \u201cWhat\u2019s going on, Ethan? This is Mark, our new hire. He\u2019ll be working with you.\u201d\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\"For\n\n

For illustration purposes only.\n\n\n

\n

I shot him a glare. \u201cI\u2019m not working with him! I\u2019m not even staying in the same building as him!\u201d I turned to Mark, anger boiling over. \u201cGet out!\u201d\n\n

\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been trying to find a way to apologize to you,\u201d Mark said, his voice shaky, as if he\u2019d been rehearsing this moment.\n\n

\n

\u201cGet. Out,\u201d I repeated.\n\n

\n

Mr. Harris stood his ground, his tone firm now. \u201cEthan, Mark works here. He\u2019s not going anywhere.\u201d\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\"For\n\n

For illustration purposes only.\n\n\n

\n

\u201cThen I\u2019ll leave!\u201d I snapped and stormed out, leaving the office in stunned silence behind me.\n\n

\n

Outside, the cold air hit me, but it didn\u2019t help. The memories came rushing in, relentless and vivid.\n\n

\n

That night was burned into my mind, as clear as if it had just happened. I could still hear the piercing sound of sirens blaring, cutting through the darkness. The flashing red and blue lights lit up the street, making everything feel surreal.\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\"For\n\n

For illustration purposes only.\n\n\n

\n

Then I saw her. Kira was lying in the ambulance, motionless. Lifeless. My legs felt like they might give out.\n\n

\n

Police officers were everywhere, shouting commands and directing traffic. Two cars were wrecked, smashed together like crumpled paper.\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Kira\u2019s car was unrecognizable, barely more than twisted metal. My breath caught when I spotted him \u2014 Mark. He stood a few feet away, handcuffed, his face pale and hollow. A cop led him toward a squad car.\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\"For\n\n

For illustration purposes only.\n\n\n

\n

I remember someone saying,\u00a0\u201cIt wasn\u2019t drunk driving. Just reckless.\u201d\n\n

\n

As if that made it better. If it hadn\u2019t been for Mark, Kira would still be here. If he hadn\u2019t been so careless, everything would be different. Everything.\n\n

\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d a voice said, pulling me out of my thoughts. I turned around and saw Mark standing there.\n\n

\n

\u201cYour apologies won\u2019t bring my wife back!\u201d I shouted, my voice sharp and full of rage.\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\"For\n\n

For illustration purposes only.\n\n\n

\n

\u201cI regret that night every single day,\u201d Mark replied. His voice was steady, but his eyes betrayed the weight of his guilt.\n\n

\n

\u201cIt should have been you. Not her,\u201d I said.\n\n

\n

\u201cI know,\u201d he said quietly, his gaze dropping to the ground. \u201cI wish it had been me too.\u201d\n\n

\n

\u201cYou took everything from me!\u201d I yelled. My hands shook as the anger boiled over. \u201cYou destroyed my life! My daughter barely looks at me. She thinks I\u2019m weak. She hates me because of you!\u201d\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\"For\n\n

For illustration purposes only.\n\n\n

\n

Mark winced but didn\u2019t look away. \u201cI\u2019ll never forgive myself for what happened,\u201d he said. \u201cBut at least you still have someone.\u201d\n\n

\n

\u201cHow dare you!\u201d I spat, my fists clenched. \u201cKira should still be here!\u201d\n\n

\n

Mark took a deep breath. \u201cThe crash happened because I was rushing to the hospital,\u201d he said, his voice trembling. \u201cMy wife was in labor. The delivery was complicated. I panicked. I lost control. After the crash, they told me… neither my wife nor my baby survived.\u201d\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\"For\n\n

For illustration purposes only.\n\n\n

\n

His voice broke, and tears welled up in his eyes. \u201cI know your pain,\u201d he said softly.\n\n

\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t know anything!\u201d I roared, the anger overwhelming me. \u201cIf you hadn\u2019t been rushing, my wife would still be alive,\u201d I added, the words cutting like a blade.\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Mark flinched. His jaw tightened as he looked at me, his own pain flashing across his face. \u201cGo to hell,\u201d he snapped, his voice low and angry. Then he turned and walked back toward the office, leaving me standing there.\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\"For\n\n

For illustration purposes only.\n\n\n

\n

I stayed frozen, my breath shallow, my mind spinning. Deep down, I knew the truth. If I had been in his position, if it had been Kira or Sophie, I would have done the same. I would have driven just as fast.\n\n

\n

Shaking my head, I forced myself to move. I got into my car and drove home, my chest heavy with the weight of everything I couldn\u2019t undo.\n\n

\n

The next day, I walked into the office without a word and sat at my desk. My eyes stayed fixed on the stack of papers in front of me.\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\"For\n\n

For illustration purposes only.\n\n\n

\n

Mark glanced at me from across the desk. His expression surprised me. It wasn\u2019t angry or defensive. Instead, his eyes held a quiet compassion.\n\n

\n

I buried myself in work, flipping through documents and typing nonstop. It was easier than thinking. Easier than feeling.\n\n

\n

That evening, Mr. Harris dropped a stack of files on my desk. \u201cI need these finished by morning,\u201d he said. I gave a small nod and reached for the first folder.\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\"For\n\n

For illustration purposes only.\n\n\n

\n

As I settled into the task, my phone buzzed on the desk. A message from Mom lit up the screen:\n\n

\n

Will you come to the debate?\n\n

\n

\u201cDamn it,\u201d I muttered under my breath.\n\n

\n