I thought I was just a caregiver for Mrs. Blackwood, a sharp-tongued, secretive woman, but everything changed when she decided to rewrite her will, cutting out her grandchildren and naming me as her sole heir. That decision pulled me into a whirlwind of family secrets, deception, and an unexpected escape plan.
I was young, unemployed, and full of doubts. I had a nursing diploma in hand but no job prospects. The city, with its endless competition, had drained my hopes. Week after week, I faced rejection after rejection, until I stumbled upon a tiny ad in the newspaper:
“Nanny needed for an elderly lady who cannot walk. Live-in position.”
It felt like a lifeline. I wasted no time and went to the interview.
When I arrived at the grand but slightly worn-down mansion, I hesitated. The place had an eerie beauty, with vines creeping up the stone walls and large windows that seemed to watch me. The heavy wooden door opened, and a young man, probably in his early twenties, greeted me with a polite smile.
“You must be here for the nanny position,” he said. “I’m Edward.”
Before I could respond, a young woman appeared beside him, her expression neutral.
“And I’m Emily,” she said. “Grandma’s expecting you.”
Their hospitality felt rehearsed, as if they were obligated to be welcoming rather than wanting to be. They led me inside, past dark wooden furniture and walls lined with old portraits. The house had a heavy silence, broken only by the ticking of a grandfather clock.
“Grandma’s upstairs,” Edward said, gesturing to the staircase. “We’ll let her take it from here.”
Then, just like that, they walked away, disappearing down the hall. Their lack of warmth unsettled me. Something felt off.
Mrs. Blackwood greeted me with a presence that filled the room. Though she lay in bed, unable to walk, she radiated control. Her silver hair was styled neatly, her nails perfectly polished, and her eyes held an intelligent glimmer.
“Ah, you must be Mia,” she said, her voice both warm and commanding. “Come in, dear. Sit down.”
She wasn’t the frail, helpless woman I had expected. There was strength in her posture, an energy that defied her physical condition.
“Don’t just stand there looking at me like I’m some museum piece,” she teased, patting the edge of the bed. “Sit! Have a doughnut. No one should face the world on an empty stomach.”
I hesitated but then took one from the plate on her nightstand. “Thank you.”
Her sharp gaze assessed me as I bit into the pastry. “So, tell me, why do you want this job?”
“I need it,” I answered honestly. “And I believe I can help you.”
She nodded approvingly. “Honesty. A rare quality these days. Well, Mia, welcome aboard.”
And just like that, my life in the Blackwood mansion began.
The first few days were uneventful. I followed her routine, prepared her meals, and listened to her endless stories. But soon, strange things began to happen.
One morning, I noticed a book had moved from its shelf.
“Did you read this last night, Mrs. Blackwood?” I asked, holding it up.
She chuckled. “I don’t sleepwalk, dear.”
Then there were the curtains. I clearly remembered leaving them open, yet they were drawn when I returned. The flowers on her bedside table were mysteriously watered, though I hadn’t touched them.
“Are your grandchildren checking in on you at night?” I asked cautiously.
Mrs. Blackwood laughed. “Oh no, dear. Edward and Emily have lived here since their parents died, but they rarely bother to check on me before bed.”
I frowned. “But someone’s moving things.”
“They’ll come when the will is read,” she said cryptically, as if dismissing my concern.
Something was off. Mrs. Blackwood was hiding something. The question was—what?
Determined to bring warmth into the house, I introduced changes. Instead of letting her eat alone, I set the table in the dining room.
“There’s something special about a proper dinner table,” I said. “It makes everything feel more lively.”
Mrs. Blackwood raised an eyebrow but smiled. “You’re full of ideas, aren’t you, Mia?”
“And you’re going to love this one,” I said, wheeling her to the table.
Edward and Emily were less thrilled. When they saw the setup, Emily frowned.
“What’s this?”
“Dinner,” I said cheerfully. “It’s nice to eat together, don’t you think?”
Edward hesitated. “But Grandma always eats in her room.”
“Well, not anymore,” I replied firmly.
Though reluctant at first, Mrs. Blackwood seemed to enjoy it. But after a few weeks, Edward and Emily found excuses to skip dinner, until it was just the two of us at the table.
Then, one evening, everything changed.
“Grandma, we need to talk,” Edward said nervously. “Emily and I are moving out.”
Mrs. Blackwood’s lips curled into a small smile. “And you need money.”
Emily hesitated. “Just a little to help us settle.”
Mrs. Blackwood tapped her fingers on the table. “How convenient. Since we’re sharing news, I have some too. Next week, my lawyer is coming to change my will. Everything will go to Mia.”
“You’re joking!” Emily gasped.
“Oh, I’m quite serious,” Mrs. Blackwood said, her tone unwavering. “Mia has cared for me. You two, on the other hand, have only been waiting for your inheritance.”
From that moment, Edward and Emily’s behavior changed. They became overly attentive, showering Mrs. Blackwood with gifts and compliments.
“Grandma, I brought you flowers!” Edward beamed.
Mrs. Blackwood barely glanced at them. “I prefer orchids.”
Emily tried her hand at breakfast service. “Tea and biscuits in the living room today!”
Mrs. Blackwood smirked. “How charming. Shame you didn’t think of this before.”
Their sudden kindness didn’t fool her.
Then, one morning, Edward approached me.
“We’ve decided your services are no longer needed. We’ll take care of Grandma ourselves.”
I knew what this was about. They wanted me out before the will was changed.
As I prepared to leave, Mrs. Blackwood handed me an envelope stuffed with cash.
“Mia, rent a car. Park it near the house at midnight. Be ready for anything.”
I hesitated. “What’s happening?”
She smiled. “Trust me.”
That night, as I crouched in the garden, the house went dark. Then, the back door creaked open. A cloaked figure emerged—Mrs. Blackwood.
“Come,” she whispered.
She moved with surprising agility. When we reached the car, she slid into the driver’s seat.
“Wait, you can drive?!” I gasped.
“Of course,” she chuckled. “Did you think I spent all my time in bed for fun?”
As we sped away, she explained everything. The shifting objects, her helpless act—it was all a test. She had wanted to see who truly cared.
True to her word, she rewrote her will, leaving me well-rewarded. Edward and Emily were given a choice—work for their future or leave with nothing.
As for me, I returned to my hospital internship, with glowing recommendations from Mrs. Blackwood. And in her, I found an unexpected friend who taught me the true value of self-worth.
