My stepbrother David—who had been mostly absent after the divorce—suddenly returned. Soon after, I was called into the office, where my stepdad told me I was being replaced by David. “He’s got a degree,” he said, “and we can’t have two managing roles.” It stung, but I walked away proud of what I’d built. My girlfriend Bea offered a new beginning, and I landed a project manager role at a rival firm where my experience was truly appreciated.
Months later, during coffee with my mom, she beamed, “It’s time to spread those wings.” Not long after, I heard my stepdad’s company was floundering. And then—almost like fate—David’s resume landed on my desk. He was applying for a job at my firm. When we met across the interview table, I saw the shock in his eyes. Life really does come full circle—and sometimes, the greatest growth happens right after everything falls apart.