After years of being groomed in his stepfathers construction company, Sheldon is discarded when David, his stepbrother returns. Instead of retaliating, Sheldon walks out gracefully, only to be head-hunted by a rival company. But a few months in, his stepfather calls him, desperate…
You know things sometimes come full circle? Well, thats been the story of my life.
Ive been working at my dads construction company since I was 15. At first, it was simple tasks like filing and cleaning out his office, and then more responsibility was placed onto my shoulders as I got through school. And this wasnt because I wanted to, but because I had to.
A teenage boy | Source: Midjourney
My dad, or technically my stepdad, didnt let anyone skate by for free. He had one rule and he swore by it. If I wanted to live in his house, I had to earn my keep.
“It is what it is, Sheldon. Take it or leave it,” he said.
Obviously, I had no choice but to take it. Where else was I going to go?
He married my mom when I was 10, and from then on, he always said that I was his “responsibility.”
A couple at their wedding | Source: Midjourney
It never felt that way, because when I turned 16, I had to pay rent, which meant that I had to work at his company after school and work at the local ice cream place during weekends.
But it was fine, I didnt complain once. I figured that it was all part of his version of tough love.
Over time, I worked my way up in the company. When I graduated from high school, my stepdad gave me no choice but to join the company full-time.
A boy at his high school graduation | Source: Midjourney
“Sorry, Sheldon,” he said one evening over dinner. “But theres no room for you to go to college or whatever. Now that you have the time and capacity, you need to join the company properly.”
“Thats fine with me,” I said, feeling an odd sense of contentment.
To me, it felt like my stepdad wanted me there, and that was a big deal.
So, I started with the dirty jobs. I cleaned up sites, hauled materials until my muscles were defined, and just did whatever needed to be done. I worked hard, wanting to take pride in the company; it was a family legacy after all.
A man working in construction | Source: Midjourney
And by my mid-20s, I was foreman. I thought I had proven myself, not just as an employee, but as his son, too.
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Then everything changed. David came back. His biological son.
David hadnt been around in years. After my dads divorce, he sided with his mom and blamed Dad for everything.
A smiling man | Source: Midjourney
“He said some pretty horrible things to Dad,” my mom told me once when I asked why we didnt see David.
“So, thats it? Its like how I dont see my biological father?” I asked.
“Pretty much, honey,” she said. “But your father was a cruel man, cruel to the bone.”
An angry man with a clenched fist | Source: Midjourney
While David was gone, I stepped in as the son. I did everything, I put in the work, but when David decided to resurface, all of that seemed to vanish.
“I dont get it,” I said to my mom one night. “David hasnt spoken to Dad in over a decade. And now hes back, acting like nothing happened between them?”
My mother sighed and cut a piece of banana bread for me.
A loaf of banana bread | Source: Midjourney
“Your father misses him, honey,” she replied quietly. “Hes just trying to make things right.”
I sighed. I could understand that, but it still didnt sit well with me.
A few days later, I was called into my dads office. He didnt even look up from his desk. He just cleared his throat.
“We need to let you go, Sheldon,” he said.
A man sitting in his office | Source: Midjourney
“What?” I blinked, trying to process. “Youre firing me? Really, Dad?”
He finally glanced up but refused to make eye contact with me.
“Davids coming on board, and, well, we dont have room for both of you in management. Hes got the degree, you know? Construction management?”
An older man | Source: Midjourney
“So?” I asked, struggling to keep my voice calm. “Ive been here for over a decade. Ive earned this.”
“Its time I help David get on his feet,” he muttered. “Hes my son, after all. And I lost so many years with him.”
I sat there for a second, stunned.
“I thought I was your son, too.”
“You are, but youre not blood,” he said.
An upset man | Source: Midjourney
Just like that, it was over. No severance, no handshake, not even a thank you for my years of hard work. I felt the anger building, but I kept my cool.
“All right,” I said, standing up. “Cool. Good luck.”
I walked out not knowing what would happen next.
“Just move in with me,” my girlfriend, Bea, said when I told her what had happened. “You dont need to see him every day after this. Take some time away.”
A smiling young woman | Source: Midjourney
I listened, and within a few hours, I was out of our home and into her apartment.
Within a week, I landed a new job at a rival construction company. Id made some solid connections over the years, and they jumped at the chance to hire me.
“Its for a project manager role, Sheldon,” the owner said. “I know its not what youre used to, but Ive followed the projects that youve overseen. Youre ready for this.”
A smiling man in a suit | Source: Midjourney
I accepted without hesitation. This new role meant more pay, and best of all? More respect.
“Youre going to love it here,” my new boss said when he took me around, showing me my new office. “We take care of our people, Sheldon. None of that cutthroat stuff that Ive heard your father does. And dont worry, we cover dental, medical, and everything else.”
I smiled. I could already tell that this was going to be an entirely different experience from what I was used to.
A smiling man | Source: Midjourney
It didnt take me long to settle into my new job, and I loved every second of it. I had projects that ranged from movie theater construction, to malls, to even theme parks. It was only going to get better from there.
“I miss you at home, darling,” my mother said when we met at a coffee shop for breakfast one weekend.
“I know, Mom,” I said. “I miss you too. But you understand why I had to move, right?”
A woman sitting in a coffee shop | Source: Midjourney
“Of course I do, Sheldon,” she said gently. “And it was time to spread your wings, too. But if Im being honest with you, there seems to be something big going on with Dads company. Hes been very stressed. He and David are not really on speaking terms now. Theyre just polite to each other.”
“Trouble in paradise?” I asked sarcastically.
“I think so,” my mother said, buttering a slice of toast.
Toast on a board | Source: Midjourney
It wasnt long before whispers started to flood our industry, talk of my dads company going under seemed to be the biggest news. Apparently, things really werent going well since David had taken over.
My stepbrother had been losing clients, mismanaging projects, and making mistake after mistake. Some of the same clients I had built relationships with left my dads company and signed with me instead.
Then, one day, I was sitting in my office, flipping through a stack of resumes when I came across Davids.
A stack of paper | Source: Midjourney
“No way,” I muttered, staring at the paper. It was surreal. The same David who replaced me at my dads company was now applying for a job at my new one.
I couldnt resist. I called him in for an interview.
When David walked in, he looked worn, like life had knocked him around. He didnt even recognize me at first, but when he did, the color drained from his face.
A shocked man | Source: Midjourney
“Have a seat,” I said.
He sat down, clearly uncomfortable. The confidence he once had was gone.
“So,” I began, flipping through his resume. “Why are you looking for a job here?”
He gulped.
“I need something new. Things didnt work out at my dads company.”
A man holding his head | Source: Midjourney
“What happened?” I asked.
“Just… I made some mistakes. I lost us some clients.”
“I see,” I replied, leaning back in my chair. “You do realize that this is the same industry, right? Were not going to make it easy for you.”
David nodded.
“Im ready to work,” he said.
“Well let you know,” I said.
A man sitting at his desk | Source: Midjourney
As he left, I couldnt help but feel a mix of satisfaction and pity. Karma had done her job. Still, it felt good to know that Id landed on my feet while David struggled.
A few weeks later, my phone rang. It was my dad.
“Sheldon, come back,” he said simply. “The company is failing. David walked out after he messed up again. Were in trouble. I need you to come back. Help me out, maybe take over.”
I let the silence hang in the air for a moment.
An older man using his phone | Source: Midjourney
“Im sorry, Dad,” I said quietly. “But Ive moved on. Im happy where I am.”
He sighed heavily.
“I understand, son. Im… Im proud of you, you know?”
“Thanks. I wish you the best,” I said.
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“Come over for dinner soon?” he asked hopefully.
A man talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney
“Yeah, maybe,” I said.
When I hung up, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. Years of trying to prove myself to him were over.
What would you have done?
A smiling man | Source: Midjourney
If you enjoyed this story, heres another one for you |
I Made My Boss Regret Humiliating My Wifes Appearance in Front of the Whole Office
When Colin and his wife, Alice, end up working at the same company for business tyrant Mr. Taylor, they think that theyve gotten a sweet deal while they branch out to their passions. But after one mistake at work, Alice is ridiculed in front of everyone, causing Colin to retaliate. As the couple lose their jobs, Colin is left fighting for revenge…
Working as a driver for the owner of a mid-sized company was never the dream, but it paid the bills. If I had to be honest, I would tell you that what I had always wanted to do was own my own construction company, but life often works in funny ways.
A smiling man dressed as a chauffer | Source: Midjourney
The silver lining to being a driver was that I got to go to fancy places and I got to work alongside my wife, Alice. Wed met years ago, long before either of us ended up working at the same place. But when Alice got the job as Mr. Taylors personal assistant, she dropped him my resume.
“Its going to be okay, Colin,” she told me one evening when we were making pasta for dinner.
“He needs a personal driver, and you can do that. Neither of us have to stay there forever, but the pay is good enough for the moment. So, until something better comes along for us, well have to make do.”
A smiling woman | Source: Midjourney
“I know,” I agreed. “Its just that this is so far from my dream that I feel as though Im going to get stuck in this. But its okay, Ill only get stuck if I settle. And Im not doing that.”
Our boss, Mr. Taylor, was a piece of work. On the surface, he seemed like the typical entrepreneur. You know, the sharp suits, always attached to his phone, and he had a way of talking that made you think he knew something you didnt.
A stern businessman | Source: Midjourney
But the truth was simple: Mr. Taylor was a man who thrived on control, and the tighter his grip on the company and all his employees, the worse things got for us all.
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This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
