The presentation dragged on like an endless series of monotonous slides, and Emily was barely holding back a yawn. She attended such events often and always felt genuine aversion toward them. But her sense of duty and professionalism kept her in place. As the CEO, Emily had to stay focused, maintain her image, and show interest. Straight back, restrained movements, and no emotions—all spoke of her businesslike approach. However, the nervous squeezing of the pen in her fingers betrayed the woman’s desire to leave this event as soon as possible.
Although the business trip was scheduled for two days, Emily decided she would return home today. She couldn’t wait to see Kyle, her husband. Just imagining his face in the morning when she unexpectedly appeared beside him made Emily ponder how deep her own feelings had gone. «A loving wife?» the thought flashed, and she frowned, mechanically rubbing her forehead.
At 38 years old, Emily had achieved what many could only dream of. Of course, her path to success was paved by her parents’ efforts, but she had invested plenty of her own hard work. Her father, the owner of a real estate company, never gave her any privileges. On the contrary, he insisted that his daughter start from the lowest position—a janitor. No one would believe that the owner’s daughter was mopping floors in the office herself, but George Carter believed: only those who earn a dollar with their own labor truly value it.
When Emily turned 16, she was officially hired part-time. The tasks were simple, but she had to work on par with everyone. The girl arrived at the office on time and left strictly according to the schedule, not expecting special privileges. Her father was adamant: he had built the company from scratch, with no help from money or connections. And he believed his daughter should be able to handle difficulties to be ready for any challenges in the future.
«We went through tough times with your mom when we didn’t know what tomorrow would bring. I want you to be prepared for fate’s blows, to hold yourself with dignity,» he told Emily when things were hard for her.
And she truly was a smart girl in the classic sense. Despite the job, she managed to study excellently and took tutoring lessons. When it came time to enter university, the girl did it on her own, on a scholarship to a state university. Her father could have paid for any education, but Emily was proud that she achieved everything herself.
Personal life took a back seat. She had no time for friends; constant studying and work filled all 24 hours in a day. But Emily didn’t despair; her mom always reminded her:
«You’ll have time to meet a worthy man yet, the main thing is not to rush.»
Starting from her sophomore year, Emily began working as a clerk in her father’s company, but again—no leniency. Mistakes weren’t forgiven, and at meetings, she was scolded harder than others.
At first, she was offended, but then she understood: her father was teaching her to be the best, impeccable. He wanted her to handle any task, because one day the entire company would be hers. And Emily accepted this truth. As she climbed the career ladder, she learned more and more. By the time she got her diploma, she was no longer just a graduate but a true professional, and no one in the team doubted that she deserved her position.
Her path in business was earned. At 23, Emily became the head of a department, and no one whispered behind her back that she was just «the boss’s daughter.» She knew her job down to the details and was attentive to her colleagues’ needs, as in the days when she cleaned the office herself. Her father was pleased: he had done everything to raise a strong leader from his daughter. He believed that with his legacy, his daughter would handle it excellently.
But fate had other plans. Just a year after Emily finally took a managerial position, her parents died in the mountains, caught in an avalanche. For the family, skiing in the Rockies was a favorite hobby, and a trip to Colorado seemed routine. Emily stayed in the city due to an important contract—a decision that saved her life. Three days of searching for her parents’ bodies shattered her hope, and when the news of their death finally came, Emily felt everything collapse.
At 24, she was left an orphan and the sole heir to a large company. For some, this is the age of independence, but the girl felt lost. Her parents were her support, an island of stability in this restless world. Losing both knocked the ground out from under her feet. But, taught discipline and perseverance, she found the strength to live on and continue her father’s business. It took six months to return to her usual rhythm of life and feel in control of her destiny again.
Over time, Emily got used to the idea that her life was primarily work, but thoughts about personal life began to haunt her more often. Once, her main goal was her career, and every step was aimed at achieving success. But now, with emptiness around her, she increasingly thought about having no one to share lonely evenings with. Before, the girl was fully immersed in affairs, and although during her studies she had short-term romances, none of her suitors matched the image of the ideal man she had drawn in her imagination.
Some were not ambitious enough, others excessively vain, and the third seemed a typical egoist. Emily began to worry, because the years were passing, and she still hadn’t found someone who could become a true life companion. «The clock is ticking,» the thought flashed. She didn’t know where to look for a suitable man to start a family….
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