Gloria Watson sat by the window, sipping her coffee and watching the afternoon light spread across the floor of her small nursing home room. She was 74 now, and the silence of her days had become something she’d learned to live with. That day, the peace was broken by a knock on her door.
“Mrs. Watson,” Sophie, her young caretaker, came in breathless, “you have a visitor! Your grandson is here to see you!”
Gloria froze. Todd? She hadn’t seen him in over a year. Most grandmothers would be overjoyed—but not her. She knew this wasn’t about love.
“He’s here for the money,” she muttered under her breath.
Sophie asked gently, “Shall I take you to the lobby?”
Gloria gave a sad smile. “No, dear. I’ll go myself. But first, I should dress up. It’s been so long. I need to look my best for the boy who forgot about me.”
She went to her cupboard and pulled open the doors. Her hands trembled as she searched for a nice dress. Tears welled up in her eyes.
“I should’ve never trusted him,” she whispered. “I sold the house your grandfather and I built… for lies.”
Years ago, Gloria had lived alone in that house, proud and peaceful. Todd, already married to Natasha, rarely visited. But then, suddenly, he started coming more often.
He had cried to her one day. “Grandma, Natasha needs surgery… It’s expensive, and I don’t have enough savings. Please, help us.”
He was all Gloria had left. She didn’t hesitate—she sold her home and moved in with him, thinking she was saving Natasha’s life.
What she didn’t know was that Natasha wasn’t sick at all. The “surgery” was just a cover-up. They used the money for a luxurious trip to Hawaii.
Three weeks later, they returned, pretending to come from the hospital.
“Oh, grandma! That bread smells amazing. Can we eat? I’m starving!” Todd grinned, helping Natasha sit.
“Careful, hun,” he added. “The doctor said no strain, right?”
Gloria, none the wiser, helped Natasha rest and took care of all the chores. She was just happy to have her family near.
But everything changed the day she overheard Natasha talking in the garden.
“She’s such a pain,” Natasha groaned to her friend. “All she does is read books like she’s gonna change the world. I want to send her away before my sister visits.”
“Wait, she still doesn’t know about the Hawaii trip?” the friend asked.
“Of course not! We told her I was in surgery. I’ll get rid of her soon.”
Gloria froze. Her heart cracked wide open. She stared at a photo of her late husband.
“I’m so sorry, Thomas,” she whispered. “I gave away our home… for nothing.”
She didn’t confront Todd. She stayed quiet. But she knew they would try something worse.
A few days later, her fear came true. Todd and Natasha approached her with a nursing home brochure.
“It’s beautiful,” she said slowly. “But why are you showing this to me?”
Todd hesitated. Natasha nudged him with her eyes.
“Well, Grandma,” Todd began, “Nat and I are trying to start a family. The doctor says now’s the best time. And I’m switching jobs, so… it’s hard for all of us to live together. This place is really nice, though. You’ll meet people your age. I promise I’ll visit often.”
It was all an excuse to dump her.
Gloria had no home of her own now. So she nodded, packed her bags, and moved into the nursing home. That was five years ago. Todd visited her only once a year.
Until today.
Sophie’s voice snapped her back: “Mrs. Watson, your grandson is in the lobby!”
Gloria adjusted her dress and sighed. He must’ve heard about my inheritance, she thought.
Weeks earlier, she had inherited a large sum from her wealthy cousin Donovan. Not many knew—just family. And clearly, Todd had found out.
She entered the lobby, and there he was, arms open, smiling.
“Grandma!! I missed you so much. Look at you! You look amazing! And check out my new glasses—do you like them?”
“I do,” she said gently. “And how’s Natasha? Pregnant yet?”
Todd’s smile faded. “We tried… but she needs another surgery. A very serious one. And I came to ask for your help.”
Gloria stayed silent.
“You always said money doesn’t matter when it comes to family,” Todd pleaded. “Please, help us.”
But Gloria knew the truth. She had cancer. She didn’t have much time left. What crushed her was not her illness—it was knowing her grandson still saw her as a bank.
She nodded slowly. “I need surgery too, dear. Mine is critical. Do you think Natasha’s surgery is more important than mine?”
Todd hesitated. “It’s not about importance. But… my wife has her whole life ahead. Please, Grandma.”
That answer hurt more than the cancer.
“I’ll think about it,” Gloria said quietly.
That night, she wept. “He doesn’t love me,” she whispered. “All those years I raised him… and he chose money.”
The next morning, Todd was back.
“Grandma! I came early because we only have one week before her surgery. Please… help us.”
Gloria kept her cool. “I haven’t received the money yet. There are legal issues. But you could mortgage your house now. I’ll pay you back when the inheritance clears.”
Todd’s eyes lit up. “That’s perfect, Grandma! You’re the best!”
He left, excited. He had no idea that Gloria was watching him through Sophie’s phone just days later—posting Instagram pictures with Natasha in the Maldives.
Another vacation. Another lie.
Two weeks later, Gloria passed away peacefully. But not before preparing one final lesson.
Todd was shaken by her death. For once, he realized how much he had lost. Still, Natasha whispered, “We have to find out what she did with the money.”
The next day, a lawyer knocked at their door.
“This is from Mrs. Watson,” he said, handing Todd an envelope. “Her inheritance.”
Todd’s hands trembled. This is it, he thought. Finally, all ours.
He tore it open. Inside—just $50 and a note.
“WHAT?! Where’s the check?”
He opened the letter.
“Dear Todd,
I know my days are ending. Before I go, I want to tell you something important.
I knew you lied. About Natasha’s surgery. About the vacation. I knew everything. But I hoped you’d change.
You didn’t.
So I’m giving you something more valuable than money—one last chance to become a better person.
Your job is waiting for you at the same nursing home where I spent my last years. Learn what it means to care for someone. Maybe then, you’ll learn what love really is.”
Todd collapsed into the chair. He stared at the money. At the letter. And for the first time, he truly felt poor.
