When I was 16, my dad ditched me and my mom for some young woman. Worse yet, he’d drained our finances and skipped out on house payments.

We were left with nothing, out on the street, and he DIDN’T BAT AN EYE! Gosh, it was really horrible… I swore I’d get even someday. I worked hard, sacrificing everything I had to make him regret it, even if he’d never see me again. And boy, I became so successful!

Years passed. Then, on this ordinary day, I came to my beloved work, as always. Suddenly, out of nowhere, I saw HIM, MY DAD, LOOKING LIKE THAT! Turns out, karma had already beaten him! He was homeless and looked aged beyond his years, his clothes tattered and dirty. His eyes were hollow, and he looked like he hadn’t eaten in days.

I stood frozen, a mixture of anger, pity, and shock washing over me. He hadn’t noticed me yet, but the years had not been kind to him. His face was a map of hardship and regret. The confident, selfish man who had walked out on us was gone, replaced by someone who seemed to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders.

I approached him, my heart pounding in my chest. “Dad?” I said, my voice trembling.

He looked up, squinting as if trying to recognize me. When realization dawned on his face, a flicker of shame crossed his features. “Samantha?” he croaked, his voice barely a whisper.

“Yeah, it’s me,” I replied, struggling to keep my emotions in check. “What happened to you?”

He sighed deeply, his shoulders slumping. “Life happened, Sam. I made a lot of bad choices, and they all caught up with me.”

I felt a surge of anger. “You mean like leaving your family with nothing? Like abandoning us and running off with some woman half your age?”

He winced at my words, looking down at the ground. “I know I did you and your mother wrong. I’ve regretted it every day since.”
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“Regret doesn’t change what you did,” I snapped. “Mom and I struggled. We were homeless because of you. Do you have any idea what that was like?”

Tears welled up in his eyes, and for a moment, I saw a glimpse of the father I once knew. “I’m so sorry, Sam. I was selfish and stupid. I thought I was chasing happiness, but I lost everything that mattered.”

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions inside me. “I worked hard, you know. I made something of myself. I promised myself that I’d make you regret what you did.”

He looked at me with a mix of pride and sorrow. “I’m glad you did. You deserve all the success in the world.”

I stared at him, wondering if he truly understood the impact of his actions. “Do you have anywhere to go?” I finally asked, my voice softening.

He shook his head. “No. I’ve been on the streets for a while now.”

Despite everything, I felt a pang of sympathy. No one deserved to be in his situation, not even him. “Come with me,” I said. “I can help you find a shelter, at least.”

He looked surprised but grateful. “Thank you, Sam.”

As we walked, I thought about the twists and turns of life. Seeing my father like this was a harsh reminder of how easily things could fall apart. But it also reminded me of my own strength and resilience. I had built a life for myself from the ashes of his betrayal, and now, I had the power to help him, even if he didn’t deserve it.

Karma had already given him a harsh lesson. Now, it was my turn to decide how to move forward. Helping him find shelter was the first step. Forgiveness would come later, if at all. But for now, I would do what I could to ensure he wouldn’t be alone on the streets. It was a start.