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Novel Catalog
Chapter_40
Sadie couldn’t believe how quickly things had turned sour. The harsh reality of job hunting hit her all at once—every door she knocked on seemed to be slammed shut in her face. She had thought she could make a fresh start, but it felt like the universe was conspiring against her.
Her frustration boiled over as she slumped onto the couch, staring at the mountain of rejection emails and unanswered calls. The cold that had been lingering for days now felt like it was seeping into her bones, only adding to the heaviness in her heart.
“Why is everything so hard?” she muttered to herself. “Is it just bad luck, or am I really that unqualified?”
She thought about the VIC Group, the company that had once offered her a chance, thanks to Samuel. But the way she had stormed out, hurling insults at her boss, made it impossible to imagine ever going back. She couldn’t even entertain the thought of swallowing her pride after everything that had happened.
Her phone buzzed again, and she saw Micah’s message pop up.
Micah: [Don’t worry. It takes time. You’ll find something. Just stay strong.]
Sadie smiled faintly at the message. Micah had been a lifeline these past few days, offering words of encouragement even when she didn’t feel deserving of them. But deep down, she knew she couldn’t rely on him forever. She couldn’t allow herself to fall into the trap of depending on someone else to fix her problems.
Sadie: [I appreciate it. But… I don’t know how much longer I can keep doing this.]
Micah: [You’re doing better than you think. You’ll pull through.]
She didn’t reply right away. Sadie leaned back, closing her eyes for a moment. How much longer could she go on like this? She had to provide for her children, and that responsibility weighed on her every day. As much as she wanted to hold onto her dignity and keep pushing forward, the reality of the situation was hard to ignore.
The kids were counting on her, and that was what kept her moving—kept her from breaking down completely.
Sadie stood up, wiping the tears that had begun to gather in her eyes. She needed to be strong for them. There was no other choice.
As the days passed, Sadie’s situation only grew more dire. She found herself walking the streets of Newark, searching for any sign of hope. The rejection letters piled up, each one another reminder that things weren’t going as planned. She started to question whether her decision to leave her job had been a mistake, but she couldn’t go back now—not after everything that had happened.
Her phone buzzed again, and this time, it was an email. She hesitated for a moment before opening it. A glimmer of hope flickered in her chest.
It was from the HR department of the VIC Group.
Subject: Re: Your Application
“Dear Sadie Roth,
Thank you for your application. After reviewing your qualifications and recent experience, we regret to inform you that we are unable to offer you a position at this time. We appreciate your interest and wish you all the best in your future endeavors.”
Sadie’s heart sank. Another rejection. Another dead end.
She closed the email, feeling the weight of her failure press down on her.
Just as she was about to bury her phone in her bag, it buzzed again. This time, the number was unfamiliar.
“Hello?” she answered, her voice tinged with exhaustion.
“Hi, is this Sadie Roth?” The voice on the other end was warm and polite.
“Yes, speaking.”
“This is Rachel from Greenfield Mall. We reviewed your application for the cashier position, and we’d like to invite you for an interview. Can you come in tomorrow?”
Sadie’s heart skipped a beat. An interview? Finally, something positive.
“Yes! Absolutely, I can come!” she responded, her voice filled with a new sense of hope.
“Great! We’ll see you at 10 a.m. tomorrow. Just ask for Rachel when you arrive.”
Sadie quickly ended the call, her hands shaking slightly. After all the rejection, she had finally landed an interview. It wasn’t a glamorous position, but it was a step in the right direction.
The next day, Sadie arrived at Greenfield Mall early, her mind racing with anticipation. She walked through the doors, feeling a sense of nervous excitement she hadn’t felt in a long time. This was her chance—her chance to prove she could still provide for her family, to show that she was more than just a mother struggling to get by.
The interview went smoothly, and Rachel, the hiring manager, seemed impressed with Sadie’s enthusiasm and work ethic, despite her limited experience in retail.
“You’re a quick learner, Sadie,” Rachel said with a smile. “We think you’ll do great here. Welcome to the team!”
Sadie couldn’t believe it. She had done it. She had secured a job.
As she left the mall, a smile spread across her face. It wasn’t much, but it was a start.
Maybe, just maybe, things were finally looking up.
