An unexpected letter led a woman to uncover a long-hidden secret that changed her life by granting her an unforeseen fortune.
Gregory locked the door of the small grocery store where he had worked as a cashier for the past twenty years. His worn-out coat barely shielded him from the cold as he walked home, but he smiled. It had been another productive day at work.
Gregory’s wife never understood how he could find happiness in what she called a “dead-end job.” She eventually left him, but he still had his daughter, Linda, as his reason to carry on.
A Mysterious Letter
Linda was standing in the lobby of the apartment building where she lived with Gregory, still wearing her cashier’s uniform, holding a letter in her hand.
“What’s that, Linda?” Gregory asked as he approached her.
“I don’t know, Dad. I’m scared to open it.”
Gregory took the envelope and noticed the name of a law firm on it. Curious, he tore it open and began to read. His hands trembled, and his eyes widened.
“Is it something bad?” Linda asked anxiously.
“It’s… strange. According to this letter, someone has left you a business with three restaurants, valued at nearly four million dollars.”
“What?” Linda exclaimed, snatching the letter from his hands. “This has to be a scam!”
Gregory pointed to the lawyer’s phone number on the paper. “There’s only one way to find out.”
An Unexpected Meeting
The next day, Linda and Gregory visited the lawyer’s office.
“This must be a mistake,” Linda said. “I don’t know anyone who would leave me something like this.”
The lawyer shook his head. “There’s no mistake, ma’am. My client, Matthew Markham, was very clear in his instructions.”
Gregory’s face turned pale upon hearing the name. “Could you repeat that name?”
“Matthew Markham.”
Gregory began to cry. He understood everything in that moment.
A Few Months Earlier…
Matthew was at a small store, nervously approaching the checkout counter. He placed a pack of gum on the counter and looked at the man behind the register. The name tag read “Gregory.”
“Sir, are you okay?” Gregory asked.
Matthew nodded and paid. “I need to talk to you. It’s about Linda.”
Gregory’s heart raced at the mention of his daughter’s name. “Is she in trouble?”
Matthew shook his head. “No. But could we speak somewhere more private?”
Past Revelations
During Gregory’s lunch break, they met at a nearby diner. Matthew explained that he had recently discovered he was Linda’s biological father after hiring a detective to locate her. He revealed that his ex-girlfriend had passed away during childbirth and that Linda had been placed for adoption without his knowledge.
“Does Linda know she was adopted?” Matthew asked.
“No, and you can’t tell her,” Gregory pleaded. “My wife left me, and Linda is all I have. I can’t lose her too.”
Matthew was torn. He wanted to know his daughter but didn’t want to cause upheaval in her life. He decided to observe her from a distance to learn more about her.
A Test of Character
Matthew visited the store where Linda worked to test her character. During one visit, he disguised himself as a poor man and asked for basic groceries at her register, pretending not to have enough money.
“Don’t worry, sir. I’ll cover the difference,” Linda said with a warm smile.
On another occasion, Matthew returned well-dressed and acted arrogantly, demanding to be served immediately. Linda firmly refused.
“No one skips the line here, sir,” she said.
Matthew was impressed. Smiling, he bought a bouquet of yellow lilies for Linda. “Remember me when you see these flowers.”
The Legacy
Back in the present, the lawyer explained that Matthew had passed away a month earlier and had left his three restaurants to Linda, his only heir.
“He also asked me to give you something,” the lawyer said. He left the room and returned with a bouquet of yellow lilies.
Linda held the flowers, her emotions overflowing. “Now I understand. He came to my store and asked me to remember him when I saw yellow lilies.”
Gregory placed a hand on Linda’s shoulder. “I’m sure he was very proud of you and will always be proud of you, wherever he is.”
Moral of the Story:
- Treat everyone equally, regardless of their circumstances. Linda was rewarded for her kindness toward others.
- Happiness can be found in simple things. Gregory and Linda were content living modest, honest lives.
Share this story with your friends. It might brighten their day and inspire them!