María felt like she was living a dream, enjoying a great new job and an unexpected romance. But everything fell apart when her resentful boss decided to get rid of her.
A New Beginning
María cried as she hugged her son, Lucas. “I’m so proud of you, sweetheart. When I found out I was pregnant with you, I never imagined you would do so well in life. And now, you’ve graduated with honors in Law.”
Lucas smiled at her. “Wow, you make it sound like I was a lost cause,” he joked.
María playfully patted his arm. “You know what I mean. I was only sixteen… still a child myself. It was tough being a young mother, and I know I made many mistakes, but you are my pride, Lucas.”
Lucas kissed his mother’s cheek and ruffled her hair. They had a special bond, as he had been raised by his grandparents while María finished high school and college. At one point, they had even studied together for university, almost like siblings.
“I’m going to miss you,” María sighed. “I’m happy you got a job, but I wish you weren’t moving so far away.”
“I’ll visit, Mom. It’s only an hour’s drive.”
María smiled as they walked arm in arm across the university campus. The sun was shining, and the air smelled fresh and sweet. It was the perfect day for Lucas to start the rest of his life.
Love and Betrayal
Five years later, María walked through the glass doors of the large company where she had just been hired. Though she was already forty, she had dedicated her youth to raising Lucas, and she felt like life was starting over.
Her sense of renewal grew stronger when she met her new boss, Allen. A shiver ran down her spine as she shook his hand, unable to look away from his attractive face.
“It’s great to have you on board, María,” Allen said. “I loved your résumé, and I have a feeling you’re exactly what we were missing around here.”
Soon, their work interactions became something more. It all started with lingering glances, playful jokes over morning coffee, and casual touches. But passion exploded the day Allen called María into his office to deliver great news.
“We got the contract!” he announced excitedly.
Their embrace was spontaneous, but neither wanted to let go. Allen stared at her before whispering, “I’m sorry… we shouldn’t.”
“Yes,” María replied, her heart racing.
That evening, their relationship turned into a whirlwind of passion. For months, they lived a secret love affair. But everything changed when María discovered she was pregnant.
“You can’t be pregnant,” Allen murmured, his head in his hands. “We didn’t plan for this.”
“I know, but we can make it work,” she replied.
Allen abruptly stood up and began pacing. “No, we can’t,” he said. “I’m married.”
María’s world crumbled. “But you don’t wear a ring, and you don’t have any family pictures in your office.”
“I like to keep my personal and professional life separate,” he replied. “I’m so sorry, María, but this has to end. Of course, I’ll pay for the procedure.”
“No!” María exclaimed. “I won’t do it, Allen.”
Allen’s expression darkened, and his voice turned cold. “If you go through with this, you’ll regret it.”
Revenge and Justice
From that moment on, Allen made María’s life a nightmare. He doubled her workload, ignored her, and made sarcastic comments about her pregnancy. Eventually, he fired her under the pretense of a “restructuring.”
Desperate, María called Lucas and told him everything.
“Mom, don’t worry,” he said calmly. “I’ll take care of this.”
Days later, Lucas showed up at the company as María’s lawyer. In the meeting, he presented evidence of the harassment and discrimination his mother had suffered. Allen tried to justify himself, but Lucas had everything well documented.
In the end, the company opted for a multi-million-dollar settlement in María’s favor to avoid a scandal.
As they walked out of the meeting, Lucas took his mother’s hand. “I’ve always been proud of you, Mom. Now it’s time for you to start over, without fear.”
With tears in her eyes, María hugged him tightly. She knew that, no matter what happened, she would never be alone.
Moral of the Story: Justice always finds its way, and the love of family is the greatest strength in times of adversity.