Gabriel Novak adjusted his tie as the morning sun flared across the glass towers of Rotterdam. His reflection in the windows looked calm and confident, but inside, his heart was racing. Today was the day — the final interview for a senior position at Altura Life Sciences, the company he had dreamed of joining since college. He’d studied every project, practiced every possible question, and rehearsed every answer until he knew them by heart. Now, he was just ten minutes away from the most important meeting of his life.
The tram sighed to a halt, and Gabriel stepped onto Schiedamseweg. The air carried the scent of roasted coffee and damp stone. He checked his watch — he was perfectly on time. But then, a piercing scream shattered the morning calm.
Across the street, near a flower stand, a woman had collapsed, clutching her swollen belly. She was heavily pregnant, her face pale with pain.
Gabriel ran to her side. “Madam, can you hear me?” he asked, kneeling beside her.
Her breathing was fast and uneven. “Please… help me,” she gasped. “My baby… I think it’s coming.”
Gabriel’s pulse spiked, but he kept his voice steady. “All right, I’m here,” he said gently. He slipped off his coat, tucking it beneath her head. “Just breathe slowly. I’m calling an ambulance now.”
He spoke quickly into his phone, giving the dispatcher their location and her condition. When he hung up, he stayed with her, speaking softly to keep her calm. “You’re doing great,” he murmured. “Help’s on the way. Just breathe — in and out, that’s it.”
A few bystanders gathered, unsure what to do. Gabriel stayed by her side until the wail of sirens echoed down the street. The paramedics arrived moments later, working with brisk efficiency. One of them nodded at Gabriel. “You did well, sir. She’s going to be fine.”
Before they lifted her into the ambulance, the woman reached for his hand, her fingers trembling. “Thank you,” she whispered. “You didn’t just walk away.”
Gabriel smiled faintly. “Anyone would’ve done the same,” he said — though he knew, deep down, not everyone would have.
When the ambulance pulled away, he looked at his watch. Nine forty-two. He was already half an hour late.
By the time he reached Altura’s office, his shirt was wrinkled, his hair slightly damp, and hope was fading from his tired eyes. The receptionist looked up with an apologetic smile. “Mr. Novak, I’m afraid the interview panel has gone into another meeting,” she said. “They’ll be in touch to reschedule.”
Gabriel nodded quietly. “Thank you.” Stepping back outside, he exhaled a long breath. He had done the right thing — but losing his chance still hurt.
A week passed. Then, one afternoon, an unexpected email appeared in his inbox. It was from Henrik van Dalen, the CEO of Altura Life Sciences. The message was short: Please come to my office tomorrow morning. I’d like to speak with you personally.
The next day, sunlight spilled through the panoramic windows of the CEO’s office as Gabriel entered. Henrik van Dalen stood to greet him, extending a hand. “Mr. Novak, it’s good to finally meet you,” he said. “I understand you were late to your interview.”
Gabriel drew a steady breath. “Yes, sir. There was a woman who went into labor on the street. I stopped to help until the ambulance arrived. I know it wasn’t ideal, but I couldn’t just leave her.”
The CEO regarded him for a long moment, expression unreadable — then smiled slightly. “I see,” he said. “You might like to know that the woman you helped… was my wife, Ingrid.”
Gabriel froze. Before he could respond, the office door opened. The same woman from that morning stepped inside, cradling a newborn in her arms. Her face glowed with warmth and gratitude.
“Hello again, Mr. Novak,” she said softly. “I wanted to thank you properly this time. You didn’t just help me — you helped my son come safely into the world.”
Gabriel’s voice trembled. “I’m so glad you’re both okay.”
Ingrid smiled at her husband. “I told you he’s exactly the kind of person your company needs.”
Henrik nodded. “At Altura, we build technologies that save lives,” he said. “You proved what that means in real life. Integrity, compassion, and quick judgment are worth far more than punctuality. If you’re still interested, we’d like you to join us.”
Gabriel blinked in disbelief. “You mean… I got the job?”
Henrik chuckled. “You earned it before you ever walked through our doors.”
Months later, Gabriel often saw Ingrid and her baby visiting the office. She would smile and tease, “I almost named him Gabriel,” laughing as the child tugged at his tie.
Every time, Gabriel smiled back — reminded that the most life-changing moments often come when you least expect them. What began as a disaster on Schiedamseweg had become the turning point of his life — proof that doing the right thing, even at a cost, can lead to a future no schedule could ever plan.
