“He Wasn’t His Son, So He Didn’t Want to Waste Time or Money on Him”

Kenneth had always been a man with a plan. From a young age, he knew exactly what he wanted out of life. He was determined to go to college, get a good job, and climb the corporate ladder. Relationships and family were never part of his blueprint. He believed that serious commitments would only slow him down.

After graduating from a prestigious university, Kenneth landed a job at a top-tier financial firm. He worked long hours, often staying late into the night to ensure he was always ahead of the curve. His dedication paid off, and he quickly rose through the ranks. By the time he was in his early thirties, Kenneth was already a senior executive, earning a six-figure salary and living in a luxurious apartment in downtown Chicago.

Kenneth’s life was exactly as he had planned it—until he met Victoria. She was a vibrant, intelligent woman who worked in the same building. They met at a networking event, and Kenneth was immediately drawn to her. Despite his initial reservations about getting involved in a serious relationship, he found himself spending more and more time with her.

Victoria had a son, James, from a previous relationship. James was a bright, energetic eight-year-old who loved soccer and video games. Kenneth was initially hesitant about getting involved with someone who had a child, but his feelings for Victoria were strong enough to make him reconsider.

For a while, things seemed to be going well. Kenneth and Victoria’s relationship grew stronger, and he even started to bond with James. They would go to soccer games together, play video games, and occasionally go out for ice cream. Kenneth began to think that maybe, just maybe, he could make this work.

But as time went on, Kenneth’s old doubts began to resurface. He found himself growing increasingly frustrated with the demands of being in a relationship with someone who had a child. He missed the freedom of his single life, the ability to work late without feeling guilty, and the financial independence that came with not having to support anyone else.

One evening, after a particularly stressful day at work, Kenneth came home to find James playing video games in the living room. The sight of the boy, so carefree and oblivious to the pressures of adult life, filled him with a sense of resentment. He realized that he didn’t want to be a father figure to James. He didn’t want to spend his hard-earned money on someone else’s child. He didn’t want to sacrifice his career ambitions for a family that wasn’t even his own.

Kenneth sat down with Victoria that night and explained his feelings. He told her that he couldn’t continue the relationship, that he needed to focus on his career and his own life. Victoria was heartbroken, but she understood. She had always known that Kenneth was a driven, ambitious man, and she respected his honesty.

The breakup was hard on everyone, but especially on James. He had grown to look up to Kenneth, and the sudden loss of that relationship was a heavy blow. Kenneth, on the other hand, threw himself back into his work, using his career as a way to numb the pain of his decision.

Years passed, and Kenneth continued to climb the corporate ladder. He achieved all the success he had ever dreamed of, but there was always a nagging sense of emptiness. He had everything he had ever wanted, but he had lost something far more valuable in the process.