I Was Shocked When My New Coworker Walked In – Turns Out He Was the One Who Ruined My Life!

Walking into the office that morning, I expected just another regular day, buried in work. But then I saw him — the man who had shattered my life. My chest tightened, and memories rushed back. I didn’t know how to handle it. I knew I couldn’t stay in the same room as him.

I woke up feeling weighed down, like a giant stone was pressing me into the bed. I glanced at the clock. 7:45 a.m. If I didn’t get up now, I’d be late for work. Again.

I forced myself to get up, pushing through the heavy feeling. The floor was a mess — clothes everywhere, clean and dirty piled together in a careless heap. I grabbed whatever was closest, putting on a wrinkled shirt and pants, then made my way downstairs. Each step felt heavier.

Sophie was already in the kitchen, cleaning dishes I should’ve done last night. She didn’t even look at me. She shouldn’t have to clean up after me, but here we were.

She had grown up too quickly, taking on responsibilities no teenager should have. I felt guilty, my chest tightening once more.

“Want me to make you breakfast?” I asked.

“No. I’m fine,” Sophie replied, her tone distant. She didn’t look up, busy zipping her backpack and grabbing a banana from the counter.

“Need a ride to school?” I asked, though I already knew her answer.

“Grandma’s taking me,” she replied flatly, walking toward the door without stopping.

I hesitated but followed her. “I just wanted to wish you a good day.”

“Right,” she muttered, shaking her head.

As she opened the door, I noticed a photo on the wall. Kira was smiling brightly, holding little Sophie in her arms. They looked so happy.

“You know you’re not the only one who lost her, right?” Sophie said suddenly, her voice tight. Before I could respond, she walked out and shut the door.

I stared at the photo for a long time, then at the wedding ring still on my finger. “We miss you so much,” I whispered to Kira’s picture.

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

@Mom:

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

I stared at the message for a moment. Mom had done so much for us, stepping in when I couldn’t.

I hadn’t been myself this past year, just a shell of a person. Mom had kept Sophie steady when I couldn’t even get out of bed.

@Ethan:

She doesn’t want me there

@Mom:

She’ll appreciate it if you come.

I sighed deeply, shoved my phone in my pocket, grabbed my work bag, and left.

As I walked into the office, I heard footsteps approaching before I even reached my desk. It was Mr. Harris, my boss.

“Ethan, good morning,” he said cheerfully, like he had good news. I gave him a quick nod, hoping he wouldn’t follow. But he did.

“Remember we talked about bringing someone in to help with your workload?” he asked, walking with me.

“Yeah,” I replied flatly, not really caring. More work, less work, it didn’t matter. I just wanted to keep myself busy, to stop thinking for a while.

“Well, we found someone great. Mark, come over here!” Mr. Harris called out.

I didn’t bother looking up, just shuffled papers on my desk like I was already busy.

Then I saw a hand extend toward me. I looked up, and froze. It was him.

My chest tightened, and for a moment, I couldn’t breathe. Mark’s face mirrored my shock, and I saw fear flash in his eyes.

“What are you doing here?!” I shouted, my voice loud enough for everyone in the office to hear.

“I… I didn’t know you worked here. I’m sorry,” he stammered.

Mr. Harris stepped in quickly, concern on his face. “What’s going on, Ethan? This is Mark, our new hire. He’ll be working with you.”

I glared at him. “I’m not working with him! I’m not even staying in the same building as him!” I turned to Mark, anger rising. “Get out!”

“I’ve been trying to find a way to apologize to you,” Mark said, his voice shaky, like he had been rehearsing this moment.

“Get. Out,” I repeated.

Mr. Harris stood his ground. “Ethan, Mark works here. He’s not going anywhere.”

“Then I’ll leave!” I snapped, storming out of the office, leaving everyone in stunned silence.

Outside, the cold air hit me, but it didn’t help. The memories came rushing back.

That night was still so clear in my mind. I could hear the piercing sound of sirens, lights flashing red and blue, lighting up the street like a nightmare.

Then I saw her. Kira, lying in the ambulance, motionless. My legs almost gave out.

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

Kira’s car was barely recognizable, just twisted metal. Then I saw him — Mark. He stood a few feet away, handcuffed, looking pale and hollow. A cop led him to a squad car.

Someone said, “It wasn’t drunk driving. Just reckless.”

As if that made it better. If it weren’t for Mark, Kira would still be here. If he hadn’t been so careless, everything would have been different.

“I’m sorry,” a voice said, pulling me from my thoughts. I turned and saw Mark standing there.

“Your apologies won’t bring my wife back!” I shouted, my voice full of rage.

“I regret that night every single day,” Mark replied, his voice steady but his eyes full of guilt.

“It should have been you, not her,” I said.

“I know,” he said quietly, looking down. “I wish it had been me too.”

“You took everything from me!” I yelled. “You destroyed my life! My daughter barely looks at me. She thinks I’m weak. She hates me because of you!”

Mark winced but didn’t look away. “I’ll never forgive myself for what happened,” he said. “But at least you still have someone.”

“How dare you!” I spat, fists clenched. “Kira should still be here!”

Mark took a deep breath. “The crash happened because I was rushing to the hospital,” he said, his voice trembling. “My wife was in labor. I panicked. I lost control. After the crash, they told me neither my wife nor my baby survived.”

His voice broke, tears welling in his eyes. “I know your pain,” he said softly.

“You don’t know anything!” I roared, anger boiling over. “If you hadn’t been rushing, my wife would still be alive.”

Mark flinched, jaw tightening, as he looked at me. “Go to hell,” he snapped, his voice low. Then he turned and walked back toward the office, leaving me standing there.

I stood frozen, breath shallow, mind spinning. Deep down, I knew the truth. If I were in his position, I would have done the same.

I shook my head and forced myself to move. I got into my car and drove home, the weight of everything I couldn’t undo pressing on my chest.

The next day, I walked into the office, sat at my desk, and kept my eyes on the pile of papers in front of me.

Mark glanced at me from across the room, surprising me. His expression wasn’t angry or defensive. There was quiet compassion in his eyes.

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

That evening, Mr. Harris dropped a stack of files on my desk. “I need these done by morning,” he said. I nodded and grabbed the first folder.

As I worked, my phone buzzed. It was Mom.

Will you come to the debate?

“Damn it,” I muttered.

“What’s wrong?” Summer asked, walking by.

“My daughter’s debate is tonight,” I said. “But I have all this work. I won’t make it.”

“That’s a shame,” Summer said. “She’d probably want you there.”

“She wouldn’t,” I said quickly. “She wouldn’t care if I showed up or not.”

Summer frowned but didn’t argue. “Good night, Ethan,” she said before leaving.

The office grew quiet after she left. Then Mark spoke, his voice steady. “I’ll finish the work for you.”

I turned toward him, surprised. “Why would you do that?”

“Because I’ll carry the guilt of that night for the rest of my life,” he said, meeting my eyes. “But you still have a chance to fix things with your daughter. Don’t waste it.”

I shook my head. “It’s too late. I’ve lost her.”

Mark leaned forward. “You can’t save the dead, Ethan. But it’s never too late to save the living. Especially someone like your daughter.”

I stared at him for a moment, then stood up slowly. He nodded. I grabbed my jacket and rushed out.

I got to Sophie’s school as quickly as I could. My heart raced the whole way. I pushed through the doors and followed the voices to the auditorium.

I slipped inside and saw her. She stood nervously, her hands fidgeting.

Then her eyes met mine. I smiled and gave a small wave.

Her face softened, and for the first time in what felt like forever, she smiled back. She lifted her hand in a quiet wave, and I felt something inside me