They Called Me Selfish for Asking Him to Feed His Own Son Chapter 08
But my skills didn’t fade. My design work is still the best in the department.
The awards I’ve won, the projects I’ve led-still top of the company.
That’s why they held this spot for three days. Waiting for my answer.
Because underneath the exhausted, beaten-down version of me-the real Clara Benson, the professional, the
talented one, never left.
First day’s class is “Corporate Strategy and Personal Career Planning.”
The instructor is the VP of the parent company. A woman in her forties. Sharp. Speaks like every word
matters.
She says something I’ll never forget.
“People always ask me how women balance family and career. My answer? You don’t. When it’s time to run,
don’t look back. People who look back never reach the finish line.”
The room applauds.
I clap too, but inside, the words hit like waves.
For years, I’ve been looking back.
Every time I got deep into work, I’d have to leave for the hospital. Every time I hit a flow state, I’d take off for
a kid’s vaccine. Every time I made progress on a design, I’d stop for some household emergency.
I shredded my time into confetti. Gave my energy to everyone but myself.
And they took it all-every piece-then told me it wasn’t enough.
Afternoon class is advanced technical skills. An industry expert brought in from HQ. Packed with useful
content.
I take notes like a machine. Fourteen pages.
It’s been so long since I’ve learned like this.
Not because I didn’t want to. Because I never had the right. No time, no energy, no money for a decent
course.
Every dollar had to be stretched. Every minute split in half.
Now I’m sitting here, focused, no one needing anything from me.
It feels incredible.
That night, I lie in bed and stare at the ceiling, thoughts flooding in.
I think back to seven years ago. When I first married Derek.
Back then, I was full of hope.
We were college sweethearts. Dated three years before getting married.
He was sunny. Thoughtful. Remembered my birthday. Brought me late-night food when I worked overtime. Told stupid jokes to cheer me up.
I thought I married for love.
But then a friend dragged him to a charity gala. And he came back different.
He announced he’d be donating his entire salary.
He said he’d finally found his purpose.
I asked, “What about our family?”
He smiled. “That’s what you’re for.”
I thought he was joking.
He wasn’t.
From that day on, he never brought a cent home. Salary, bonus, stipends-all donated. In return, he got plaques and certificates and trophies.
His parents thought it was extreme at first.
But then Derek’s name spread through the neighborhood. Neighbors talked about him with admiration.
Strangers on the street told his parents how proud they must be.
And their attitude shifted.
