Katherine had just been promoted from an ordinary staff to a regional manager in one of the biggest companies in the States. She couldn't believe her eyes as she had fought so hard, honed her skills, and dreamt of this day while she worked so hard day and night without giving herself the much rest she needed.
Needless to say, Katherine did her best, ensuring the smoothness and effectiveness of the company and she won the heart of her boss after many years, as she got the most shocking news of her life as she was handed a letter to resume her duty as the regional manager immediately. Her salary was increased too and she could not resist it. Hearing the huge increase, she was flabbergasted.
A small party was organized in the office with other staff while they kept congratulating her. With smiles beaming on her face, she muttered silently "Yes, I got it". The party came to a close at 11pm while she drove herself home.
Jackson had been waiting for her since he got back home at 7pm. While waiting, he made sure to prepare some food for himself and the little kid, pet the little baby to sleep while he kept panting round the house like an angry lion as he couldn't wait to vent his anger on his beautiful wife.
Jackson and Katherine had been married for eight years and it seems the lovey dovey were drifting apart while their marriage was gradually crumbling all because of the same issue they have been trying to iron out for the past three years.
With the horn of the car, Jackson shifted the curtains in the sitting room to peep outside and he saw his wife coming down from the car with excitement on her face. With him fuming in rage, he decided to calm down so he wouldn't create a scene in the middle of the night.
She came inside, hugged and gave him a cool and soothing kiss on his lips.
"Welcome darling....It's good news"
Faking his smile as if nothing was wrong, he asked
"What is it, honey?"
"Yes, I got it....I got promoted at the office today. I am now a regional manager. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the letter handed to me."
As she kept moving her hands and swaying her waist behind her husband, she whispered into his ears "Babe, we got this. Also, an increase in salary" flipping her fingers while she hummed a sound with it. She went inside and jumped on the bed while she slept off.
Jackson couldn't do anything as he watched his wife while he kept nodding his head as if he had got a plan.
For the whole weekend, Katherine never had time for her family as she entrusted all responsibilities to the housemaid that was employed to take care of the kid. She resumes duty at 7am and closes at 7pm making sure everything is done accurately.
Jackson kept talking to her about resigning from her Job so as to have time for the family but she kept insisting on focusing on her dream, and because of the constant complaint from him, she tagged him as her enemy who doesn't want her to progress.
They fought all through the weekend as no one talked to each other.
The following week, Katherine got dressed, putting on a new peach Manon Blazer with a black scarosso constanza ankle boots, took her car key on the shelf and was about to walk out of the house when Jackson came out of the room
Darling, don't tell me you are off to work? What about what we discussed last night? Aren't we striking a deal? We have been on this issue for three years now.
I've told you, I can take care of you and the kid..... I am the head of the family
All I want is for you to take care of our child and be home to welcome me .... Is that too much to ask?
She winked at him without saying anything, picked her bag, checked down at the garage and zoomed off in her Red Honda Car she got from the company as a gift of her hard work.
Jackson heaved a sigh and could no longer take it anymore, as he put a call across to his lawyer asking for a divorce, not minding their little 4 years old daughter.
For the whole day, Katherine was in the office working tirelessly as she was happy at the same time. Starting a new week in a new position was the best thing that could have happened to her. At one point, she thought about her husband and after a while, she snapped out of her thought and continued her work because the salary she would be getting as the regional manager was irresistible and do not want to resign as her husband had wanted.
For the whole week, no one talked to each other as Jackson was busy getting all papers of the divorce done so he could get his wife to sign. They never cared about their child who was an asthmatic patient.
Two weeks later, Jackson traveled for a business transaction. On this day, Katherine didn't come home early. The child developed pain on her chest as she kept gasping for air. The maid tried calling Katherine, but she wasn't picking up. After several attempts of calling, she decided to call the husband. Jackson wasn't in his right state of mind again as he ordered the maid to help carry the little girl to the hospital.
It was hard getting a cab but fortunately, a car came by which took them to the hospital.
Katherine got back home at 12am, saw the door opened and wondered what could have happened. She picked her phone and saw 30 missed calls from the maid and her husband.
She sensed something had gone wrong. Immediately dialed the maid's number who told her that they were at the family's hospital.
What? What happened?
It's Jessy! She was rushed here a few hours ago.
Immediately she dropped the call and drove to the hospital.
The next morning, Jackson was at the hospital. Seeing his wife, he pointed at his wife angrily
"If anything should happen to her, consider it the end"
The doctor came out a few minutes later and told them of the condition and assured them she would be fine. "She only needs constant monitoring", said the doctor.
Few days later, Jessy was discharged and when they got home, Katherine already realized her mistake. Begged her husband and promised to resign so she could take care of their daughter and be the best wife.
Jackson reconsidered his decision while Katherine submitted her resignation letter while they both lived happily thereafter.
Thanks for reading
Thank God her daughter will survive. At times though having a job is important, her daughter's life should come first.
How are you doing today, were you able to complete your tasks?
You are right. Family should be a priority and not placing job over your family. Sorry, just seeing your comment. I completed my task and still having some left for the day. Thank you 😊
@silentbot star 4
The temptation of a better career and better payment makes us forget what's more important in life sometimes. Katherine's wake up call luckily wasn't too severe, and her daughter will be fine.
Thank you for sharing that story with The Ink Well, we appreciate your engagement in the community by commenting on other writers' stories.
Thank you for the feedback.
The nature of Katherine's work was so tempting that she didn't see any other thing.
I am glad nothing happened to Jessy, and thankfully Katherine realized her flaws soon enough saving her marriage.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful short story, I enjoyed reading it.
Most times, we need to put our family first and learn how to balance work and marriage. She allowed the pay get over her to not have time for her family. Thank you for stopping by.
Yeah is good to balance it.
Thanks for sharing
Sometimes, people can get carried away at trying to prove themselves that they forget what should matter. I'm glad that she realized her mistake although it almost cost her marriage and the life of her daughter.
How's the challenge going? Have you spoken with your partner?
Yes, thank God nothing happened, if not, she would have lost the marriage. Yes, I am always encouraging my partner. Thank you
I hope Jackson had the better job with less hours and more pay than his wife did.
Hope you had a wonderful Wednesday in the challenge and have a terrific Thursday:)
Yea, he wouldn't have assured her of taking care of her if he didn't have the best pay 😁
hehe that is very true!
Nothing is worth sacrificing our family for. I am glad Katherine didn't learn that in a hard way. How are you today. I stopped by to check on you. Hope you are doing great with your dreemport tasks? This story is interesting
Yea, she was almost at the verge of losing it but the child was like a saving grace to rethink. Yes, the challenge is going fine. Thank you ma
Back again and loved the story again this time via dreemport :)
Don't forget to have your quiet time for the challenge and get your gold star for today busayo :)
Hehehe! Thank you so much 😊😊
My pleasure Busayo 😊😊
Happily ever after Jackson loved his wife to have stayed this long-enduring her, I know some men would have long been gone or better still slept with their maid using the wife's lack of care for the family as an excuse.
Thank God their daughter survives because I am sure she would have kissed her marriage goodbye if anything had happened to the girl and funny enough, she would have kissed her job goodbye ad well because she wouldn't have been happy to do that job anymore.
It's every woman's dream to be independent but not when it affects takes away your responsibility of taking care of your family and marriage.
Nice entry and wish you the best.
Yea, you understood the whole point. I am glad you read. At least Katherine didn't lose her child and marriage, it would have been worse for her and could lead to depression for her because she wouldn't even focus on the Job. Thank you 😊
Jackson's love for Katherine is strong, I don't think jobs should overtake our commitment to family
You are right. He was too patient for her.
It's a good thing the child didn't die, it would have been a great burden on both Katherine and Jackson.
Via Dreemport.
Exactly. It wouldn't have gone well for both couple. Thank you 😊
Thank you
Yes, the child was the saving grace and she learnt her lesson.
He was actually because she was actually focusing her attention on her job while her home was failing. She was tempted by the position and salary and left her home. She would have lost the marriage if the child died. Thank you 😊