Shivering in anxiety, Heather walked into Mr. Faulkner’s office, and his first words were: “You’re fired! But, certainly, I deserve to know how long you’ve been taking the pay unlawfully by breaching the contract.”

“I’m sorry,” Heather said quietly. “I didn’t intend to… I really shouldn’t have done it. In some ways, I felt compelled.”

“Look, I don’t need your excuses, OK? I asked you a question, and you can leave if you don’t have the answer. The exit is directly behind you.”

Heather couldn’t utter a word and stood still, a stinging pain growing in her baby bump.

“What? Are you going to accuse me of being cruel now because I’m firing someone who was illegally working at my hotel?” he asked.

“Sorry,” she said. “Please don’t fire me. I needed the job for—”

“Now that’s the whole reason I don’t like women, you know?” He interrupted her. “Why do you all have to be the same? Lying? Shedding tears? Deceitful? And oh gosh! You had the audacity to work under my nose by violating established procedures? Where do you get the guts… Ms. Heather?” he remarked sarcastically, looking at her name badge.

“I didn’t mean to, Mr. Faulkner,” she said softly. “I really had to get the job and—”

“All right then,” he cut her off again. “I no longer require you ON THE JOB. That being said, I also don’t think I can stand your pitiful face any longer. So, help yourself and leave my hotel before I call security! I hope you know how to take orders?”

“Can I—”

“Out, Ms. Heather! NOW!”

In the end, Heather had to leave, and Mr. Faulkner was fuming in rage. What a strange woman, he muttered angrily under his breath as she left.

Suddenly, a loud thud outside his office distracted his attention. Mr. Faulkner dashed outside, only to find Heather on the ground and realize her water had broken.

Panic surged through him. “Someone call an ambulance!” he yelled, his earlier anger evaporating. Hotel staff rushed to assist, and within minutes, paramedics arrived and whisked Heather away.

Mr. Faulkner, unable to shake the image of her pained face from his mind, found himself following them to the hospital. He paced the waiting room, guilt gnawing at him. What if his harsh words had worsened her condition?

Hours later, a doctor approached him. “Are you here for Heather?”

“Yes,” he replied, not sure why he felt compelled to be there.
“She’s stable now and had a healthy baby boy. You can see her briefly if you like,” the doctor said.
Mr. Faulkner hesitated but then nodded. As he entered the room, Heather lay exhausted, cradling her newborn.

“I’m sorry for earlier,” he began awkwardly. “I didn’t know…”

Heather looked up, her eyes tired but defiant. “It’s not your fault,” she said softly. “But there’s something you should know.”

He frowned, confusion crossing his face. “What is it?”

“The baby… He’s your grandson.”

Mr. Faulkner staggered back, shock rendering him speechless. “How…?”

“My mother was your daughter,” Heather explained. “She passed away when I was a child. I didn’t know until recently when I found her diary. She wrote about you, about how she ran away because of a misunderstanding.”

Tears welled up in Mr. Faulkner’s eyes. He remembered his estranged daughter, the pain of losing her. “I never knew. I thought she was gone forever.”

“She wanted to come back,” Heather said. “But she was scared. And then she got sick. When I found out I was pregnant, I had no one else to turn to.”

Mr. Faulkner, his heart heavy with regret, approached the bed. “I’m so sorry, Heather. I failed your mother, but I won’t fail you or my grandson.”

Heather, tears streaming down her cheeks, nodded. “Thank you.”

From that moment, Mr. Faulkner vowed to make amends. He ensured Heather had everything she needed and welcomed her and the baby into his life. The once cold and distant man found warmth and redemption through the family he never knew he had.