The manager felt a strong urge to offer the cleaning lady some money to assist her, but he stumbled across something unexpected in her bag.

As he made his way through the office, Benjamin noticed a young cleaner, Lucy, seated in a corner, her cheeks smeared with the remnants of tears.

“Excuse me, is everything alright? Can I help? Did someone upset you?” he asked gently, his voice barely above a whisper.

Lucy jumped at the sound, hastily wiping her eyes. “I’m sorry, it’s nothing. I’m fine.”

“There’s no need to apologize. Are you absolutely sure you’re okay?” Benjamin pressed with genuine concern.

“Yes, sorry, I’ll get back to work now.” She replied hurriedly, making a swift exit.

Alone, Benjamin shrugged, pondering the saying that there’s no smoke without fire. He finally made it to his office and let out a smirk, thinking about Tatyana Edwards.

Tatyana had been a steadfast presence in the office for years, always ensuring that things ran smoothly. He rummaged through his notebook and dialed her number.

“Good afternoon, Tatyana. Could you pop into my office in ten minutes?” he requested.

Before long, Tatyana was seated in his office, enjoying a cup of tea.

“Perhaps I simply fancied a cuppa with you?” Benjamin joked. “What’s wrong with a boss inviting a cleaner for tea?”

Tatyana chuckled. “Oh come now, Benjamin. What’s on your mind?”

“I need to ask you something. Who knows our employees better than you?” he replied, preparing himself for the conversation. “What do you think of the new cleaner?”

“She’s a lovely girl. Hardworking. Life hasn’t been kind to her, but she remains resolute. Why do you ask?” Tatyana inquired.

“I just saw her crying, I approached her, but she hurried off,” Benjamin explained.

Tatyana frowned. “She cried here? I’ve told her not to listen to those superficial girls. They know nothing but to judge based on looks. Lucy takes things to heart.”

“Was she targeted here?” Benjamin asked, intrigued. “In what way?”

“It started when she joined us. Our girls tend to be well-groomed and fashionable, while Lucy is simply naturally beautiful. They attack her—out of disdain for those they believe are beneath them. It’s the same with men sometimes; they prey on perceived weakness,” Tatyana elaborated.

Benjamin was unsettled by the workplace dynamics, but now that he was invested in finding out more, he probed further. “And how do they mock her?”

“By her appearance, her clothes. They call her ‘queen of the gutters’ and ‘scruff.’ She doesn’t wear the latest styles or expensive shoes.” Tatyana answered.

“To think we have a highly educated workforce, how is this allowed?” Benjamin was taken aback.

“No, I’m not mistaken. I warned Claire to take it down a notch, but they think it’s hilarious,” she replied candidly.

“And her home situation—how difficult is it really?” Benjamin asked, his compassion growing.

“Her mother is quite ill, and they’ve refused to grant her any disability assistance. Lucy struggles to find enough to support both of them. She’s clever, but there’s no time for her education,” Tatyana shared. Benjamin felt the weight of life’s unfairness settle in his chest. He thanked Tatyana for the insight and escorted her out, left alone with his troubling thoughts.

After some reflection, Benjamin decided he had to take action. He reached into his wallet, pulled out all the cash he had, and made his way to the corridor, where he spotted Lucy and Tatyana scrubbing a large room.

With no one around and plenty of work for the cleaners, Benjamin quietly slipped into their storage room. Immediately, his gaze was drawn to Lucy’s bag. He opened it, planning to discreetly add money to her wallet to help her buy some new clothes—an act of kindness that he believed would spare her any embarrassment.

As he was about to place the cash inside, an unmistakable golden cross caught his eye. It was a poignant reminder of his past, a relic that he instantly recognized. How did it find its way to a stranger’s wallet? Benjamin’s mind raced.

This cross was unique; it had once belonged to his father. Memories from twenty years prior flooded back, taking him to the day when his mother’s health began to deteriorate. Young Benjamin had watched in helpless anxiety as his father, worn and frantic, drove her to the hospital—desperate to save her.

That morning, while she made breakfast, Benjamin thought she was getting better. Little did he know, her condition would take a tragic turn. They had hardly exited their house when she suddenly went pale and collapsed. His father scooped her up, shouting frantically, “Quick, to the car! We need to get to the hospital!”

As they sped down the road, Benjamin held his mother’s hand, tears streaming down his face. His father’s urgency guided them, navigating through traffic, only to be met with disaster—a collision that sent their car spiraling.

Believing they were close to salvation, his father swerved to avoid an approaching vehicle, but in doing so, caused an accident. They hit another car, sending both vehicles into chaos.

When his father rushed to the overturned car, Benjamin caught a glimpse of a young girl, no more than six years old, eyeing them from the curb. Her mother in the driver’s seat was clearly injured. While the girl seemed relatively unharmed, the woman was in grave condition. His father yanked the woman from the wreck, praying for her survival.

As the woman clutched the cross around his father’s neck, she whimpered, “Please, help my daughter.”

His father recoiled, desperate: “I can’t help; my wife is bleeding out in the car!”

He dashed back to help Benjamin’s mother, who was at death’s door. In that moment, Benjamin pleaded, “Dad, we need to stop! They need help, but we have to get there faster!”

In a horrifying twist, he noticed that the cross his father wore fell away as they rushed on. All the while, he couldn’t shake the haunting image of that little girl; what became of her and her mother lingered heavily in his heart.

When they finally arrived at the hospital, it was too late. The doctor’s solemn words told them all they feared to hear. Life as Benjamin knew it fractured into “before” and “after.” And now, here he was, holding the cross—an artifact of regret that somehow tethered him back to that fateful day.

His father would never speak of the incident again. And Benjamin, in his pursuit of clarity, had long ceased any attempt to uncover what happened afterward; the futile search for answers led him nowhere. The years rolled by.

Benjamin grew into a respected businessman, known throughout the city, determined to bury the ghosts of his past. Just then, he heard someone call out to him.

“Excuse me, what are you doing there?”

He spun around to find Lucy standing there, looking puzzled as he held the wallet.

“Sorry, Lucy. This may seem odd, but I wanted to surprise you with a little bonus. I didn’t know how else to give it to you.” He handed her the cash, offered his apologies, and hurriedly made his way out of the storage space.

Back at home, he spent hours mulling over thoughts before deciding to reach out to his father.

“Dad, we need to talk,” he said, sitting down beside him.

Alexander raised an eyebrow. “Is it finally about marriage?”

“No, Dad, not that. Do you recall the day we rushed Mum to the hospital and there was that accident?”

His father’s expression darkened. “I thought you had blocked that from your memory.”

“No, Dad. I remember it far too vividly. We didn’t stop to help them, and Mum died in the car.”

“Benjamin, we had no choice.”

“We didn’t even call for an ambulance for them. Dad, the girl from that accident now works for me. We need to do something.”

His father began pacing the room before returning to Benjamin, “How do you know it’s her?”

Benjamin recounted the events.

“Do you really believe I haven’t thought about that tragic day? The woman had severe injuries; she was beyond saving.”

“She’s alive, but she’s disabled. Her daughter bears the burden, and she’s only nineteen. Dad, we must find a way to help.”

Alexander directed his gaze at his son. “Whether she’s disabled or not—that’s all in the past. We can’t shoulder that blame. The driver was inexperienced and lost control. We weren’t at fault.”

“I know that, Dad. But here’s a chance to help now. Do you want someone to carry that bitterness for the rest of their life?” Benjamin stood up, his frustration rising. “I’ve always respected you. You’re a strong man. Now, I feel more disappointed because you have the power to change something.”

He exited the room, his heart heavy. The man he had always admired now felt foreign, shrouded in shadows.

When Lucy stepped into his office, Benjamin noticed her beauty for the first time. She was truly captivating, and he realized that perhaps her colleagues were simply envious of her charm.

“Please, take a seat, Lucy,” he suggested. “I believe we have an important conversation ahead.”

Lucy looked apprehensive. “Did I do something wrong?”

“Not at all, everything’s perfectly fine. Have a seat,” he comforted her, setting a cup of coffee in front of her and settling himself in the chair. “Lucy, why did you decide not to pursue college?”

She shrugged, the weight of her circumstances evident. “I just couldn’t manage it. Mum fell gravely ill.”

“What happened to her?” Benjamin asked gently.

“We were in an accident years ago that left her with spinal injuries,” Lucy began to explain. “The pain used to be manageable, but now it’s constant. The doctors can’t find a solution, and we can’t afford a decent clinic. I’m trying to save up. Along with working here, I also do some security work and clean staircases. It’s tough to make ends meet, but I’m trying.”

Benjamin turned to gaze out the window, lost in thought. “So, that accident is what led to all your troubles?”

“You could say that,” she nodded.

He returned to his chair, only for his phone to beep. It was his father calling. “Just a moment, please,” he muttered.

When his father spoke, his voice revealed a sense of urgency. “Benjamin, I met with her. We had a good talk. I’m organizing her treatment at our clinic. Our best specialists will take care of her. Remarkably, she seems to hold no grudge. I’ll explain everything later.”

Benjamin looked at Lucy, a grin breaking across his face. “Lucy, I want to assist you properly. I’ll help sort out your education and support you financially.”

“But I can’t focus on my studies with Mum…” she began to protest.

“Mum is already being referred to an excellent clinic. My father ensured that,” he replied, noticing her wide eyes filled with surprise.

“Why are you doing this? What’s the reason?” she inquired.

Benjamin rubbed his forehead, struggling with the weight of his confession. “I need to tell you something. I was in that car during the overtaking incident. My father was driving, and my Mum was dying in the backseat. We were desperate to reach the hospital.”

Lucy regarded him thoughtfully. “So, that’s why you didn’t help?”

“Yes, my father was in a state of panic. It’s not an excuse, but please allow us the chance to make amends now. I’ll do whatever it takes to bring some change to your life,” his voice trembled with emotion.

He outlined several forms of assistance he was willing to offer. Lucy stood at the door, her expression a mixture of disorientation and surprise before she finally said, “I can see how much this has weighed on you. However, my Mum only became reckless behind the wheel that day due to a call she received—she thought my father was being unfaithful. She had only recently learned to drive and rarely did it herself. I was with her when it happened. If it weren’t you, she may have swerved for any other vehicle on the road.”

With that, she departed. Benjamin felt a great burden lift from his shoulders; suddenly, it was easier to breathe. He had helped Lucy, her mother, and now his conscience was free.

Months passed, and one day, Benjamin found himself back with his father.

“Dad, we really need to talk,” he began.

“What is it this time?” his father asked, his tone apprehensive.

“This time it’s for real. I’m marrying Lucy. She’s close to graduating, and we’re filing the necessary paperwork.”

The entire office erupted in cheer for the wedding, with Tatyana leading the way. Lucy’s mother, after enduring a long rehabilitation, was now capable of walking independently and even shared a dance at the festivities.

The former office bullies dared not meet Lucy’s gaze nor the manager’s as they congratulated the newlyweds.