Chapter 13: The Man Who Had Nothing Left to Take
I heard about Michael from time to time through mutual acquaintances.
After losing his job and reputation, he had struggled to find steady work. He moved between temporary positions and short-term contracts. His savings were long gone. The last I heard, he was living in a small studio apartment and barely making ends meet.
His parents had cut off most contact with him. They blamed him for the situation they had ended up in. Lily had also distanced herself after realizing how much he had misled them about the house and the money.
One afternoon, an old colleague of mine who still worked in finance mentioned that Michael had tried to borrow money from several people in their old circle. Most had refused.
“He burned too many bridges,” my colleague said. “People remember what he tried to do to you.”
I didn’t feel satisfaction when I heard this.
I simply felt that the consequences of his actions had finally caught up with him.
Michael had spent years believing that other people’s success was something he was entitled to share. When that belief was taken away, he had nothing left to stand on.
I had built my life through decades of work.
He had tried to take it instead of building his own.
And now he was living with the result.
I didn’t wish him harm.
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But I also didn’t feel the need to help him.
Some lessons can only be learned the hard way.
