My Father Fired Me Because His Biological Son Wanted My Job — Karma Didn’t Let It Slide

After years of being groomed in his stepfather’s 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, that’s been the story of my life.

I’ve been working at my dad’s 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 wasn’t because I wanted to, but because I had to.

A teenage boy | Source: Midjourney

A teenage boy | Source: Midjourney

My dad, or technically my stepdad, didn’t 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

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 didn’t 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

A boy at his high school graduation | Source: Midjourney

“Sorry, Sheldon,” he said one evening over dinner. “But there’s 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.”

“That’s 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

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.

Then everything changed. David came back. His biological son.

David hadn’t been around in years. After my dad’s divorce, he sided with his mom and blamed Dad for everything.

A smiling man | Source: Midjourney

A smiling man | Source: Midjourney

“He said some pretty horrible things to Dad,” my mom told me once when I asked why we didn’t see David.

“So, that’s it? It’s like how I don’t 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

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 don’t get it,” I said to my mom one night. “David hasn’t spoken to Dad in over a decade. And now he’s 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

A loaf of banana bread | Source: Midjourney

“Your father misses him, honey,” she replied quietly. “He’s just trying to make things right.”

I sighed. I could understand that, but it still didn’t sit well with me.

A few days later, I was called into my dad’s office. He didn’t 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

A man sitting in his office | Source: Midjourney

“What?” I blinked, trying to process. “You’re firing me? Really, Dad?”

He finally glanced up but refused to make eye contact with me.

“David’s coming on board, and, well, we don’t have room for both of you in management. He’s got the degree, you know? Construction management?”

An older man | Source: Midjourney

An older man | Source: Midjourney

“So?” I asked, struggling to keep my voice calm. “I’ve been here for over a decade. I’ve earned this.”

“It’s time I help David get on his feet,” he muttered. “He’s 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 you’re not blood,” he said.

An upset man | Source: Midjourney

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 don’t need to see him every day after this. Take some time away.”

A smiling young woman | Source: Midjourney

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. I’d made some solid connections over the years, and they jumped at the chance to hire me.

“It’s for a project manager role, Sheldon,” the owner said. “I know it’s not what you’re used to, but I’ve followed the projects that you’ve overseen. You’re ready for this.”

A smiling man in a suit | Source: Midjourney

A smiling man in a suit | Source: Midjourney

I accepted without hesitation. This new role meant more pay, and best of all? More respect.

“You’re 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 I’ve heard your father does. And don’t 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

A smiling man | Source: Midjourney

It didn’t 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

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 I’m being honest with you, there seems to be something big going on with Dad’s company. He’s been very stressed. He and David are not really on speaking terms now. They’re 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

Toast on a board | Source: Midjourney

It wasn’t long before whispers started to flood our industry, talk of my dad’s company going under seemed to be the biggest news. Apparently, things really weren’t 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 dad’s 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 David’s.

A stack of paper | Source: Midjourney

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 dad’s company was now applying for a job at my new one.

I couldn’t resist. I called him in for an interview.

When David walked in, he looked worn, like life had knocked him around. He didn’t even recognize me at first, but when he did, the color drained from his face.

A shocked man | Source: Midjourney

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 didn’t work out at my dad’s company.”

A man holding his head | Source: Midjourney

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? We’re not going to make it easy for you.”

David nodded.

“I’m ready to work,” he said.

“We’ll let you know,” I said.

A man sitting at his desk | Source: Midjourney

A man sitting at his desk | Source: Midjourney

As he left, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of satisfaction and pity. Karma had done her job. Still, it felt good to know that I’d 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. We’re 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

An older man using his phone | Source: Midjourney

“I’m sorry, Dad,” I said quietly. “But I’ve moved on. I’m happy where I am.”

He sighed heavily.

“I understand, son. I’m… I’m proud of you, you know?”

“Thanks. I wish you the best,” I said.

“Come over for dinner soon?” he asked hopefully.

A man talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney

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

A smiling man | Source: Midjourney

If you enjoyed this story, here’s another one for you |

20+ Photos Proving That You Can Find Something Cool, Even in a Pile of Old Junk

The people from this article learned that something truly valuable can be found in unexpected places like a secondhand store or a flea market. You don’t have to have any special knowledge or skills — sometimes you just have to be a little lucky.

Bright Side is about to show you some photos taken by lucky people who managed to buy some cool and very expensive stuff when they least expected to.

“In high school, I found this vintage apple necklace that I loved at an antique store, but I left it at an ex-boyfriend’s house and never got it back. Yesterday I walked into an antique store and SAW THE SAME NECKLACE! 10 years later and 700 miles away, the treasure hunt always pays off!”

“I found a nice hardcover edition of a book I’ve been wanting to read at Value Village, and I was happy to pay the $5 for it. Then I found this when I flipped through it at home.”

“I always make sure to look through the entire costume jewelry section before leaving and today I found this diamond sapphire engagement ring in a rummage bowl for $2. Took it to a jeweler straight after and they confirmed it was real.”

“I was searching for a suit for a wedding and found a 3-piece with a retail value of $1,700. And I paid $20 for it!”

“Needed an emergency dress for an event yesterday and found one for $9 at my favorite charity shop!”

“Found a camera in a thrift store that belonged to a soldier in WW1. It has undeveloped Verichrome film in the back.”

“I found a Loewe ’puzzle’ bag in pristine condition for $20 at Goodwill. It retails at $2,590.”

“Always check your piggy banks! Found $170 in a piggy bank that cost $7!”

“Found my wedding dress today. I believe it’s from the 1950s and I only paid $64 for it and I’m in love. Going to add my own twist to the top and redo the corset but the bottom is staying just how it is.”

“This is the best $1.99 I will ever spend in my lifetime. The book has a photo of Stephen King and his autograph in it!”

“This is a thrifted vintage gown that resembles the lamé dress Marilyn Monroe wore. I did not nail the pose, I know…”

“Went to a house clearance sale and found this pin marked as ’costume jewelry’ for $5. Took it to a jeweler and they confirmed it’s unmarked gold with diamonds and sapphires.”

“3 designer blazers on the same trip to GW — I paid under $15 for all 3.”

“Fell in love with this painting and got it for $10!”

“I found a $5 vintage, heavily-beaded, seashell purse with a handmade tag inside. It’s so pretty!”

“Cute vintage strawberry salt and pepper shakers, new and in a box”

“Found $5 in this jacket I paid $6 for.”

“I got a Harry Potter wand for $1.78.”

“I only started learning embroidery a few days ago and found 700 skeins of string for $5 at a thrift store. They retail for about $.50 each.”

“This was probably my favorite purchase ever! A $3 vintage wedding dress!”

“I was told this was a green amethyst and haggled it down to $42. Took it to a jeweler to have it appraised — it’s a rare green diamond over 100 years old, conservatively worth more than $8,000!”

We’re sure that our readers have interesting stories too. Which of your purchases do you think was a really great find? Tell us!

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