The Secret Unveiled
In the quiet moments of his life, on his deathbed, Martin, an elderly and wealthy man, revealed a truth that shocked everyone around him. His nurse of ten years, the woman who had cared for him through thick and thin, was actually his biological daughter. The revelation shook his children to their core, leaving them regretful and stunned by the way they’d treated Alice all those years.
Alice first began working for Martin when she was just 17, having recently left the foster care system. It was her foster mother, a close friend of Martin’s, who had recommended the job to her. Little did Alice know, this job would lead to a bond that would change both her life and Martin’s.
One bright morning, Alice was preparing Martin’s favorite breakfast—a peanut butter and jelly sandwich—when they found themselves reminiscing about the first time they met. She was spreading the peanut butter with care, but a question from Martin made her pause.
“Tell me, Alice, how long has it been since you started working here?” Martin asked, his voice soft but curious.
“Hmmm, I think it’s been ten years, sir!” Alice replied, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “I remember that time so well. I was terrified to leave the foster system because I didn’t think anyone would hire me. But then Mrs. Chester told me you needed a nurse, and here I am!”
Martin nodded, the memory clearly as vivid to him as it was to her. “Right. Ten years. Time flies, huh?” he said, reaching for the sandwich she had made him.
Just then, his son Adam entered the kitchen. His eyes narrowed as he saw Alice preparing breakfast for Martin.
“Why is it that you only ever make breakfast for Dad? You’re a slave, you’re supposed to be serving everyone here,” Adam sneered, his words cutting deep.
The word “slave” sent a wave of discomfort through Alice. She clenched her fists, struggling to hold back the tears that threatened to fall.
“Adam!” Martin’s voice rang out, loud and commanding. Alice and Adam both jumped in surprise.
“How dare you call Alice a slave?!” Martin’s eyes blazed with anger. “Insult her again, and you can forget that you’re my son! Get out of here, now!” he ordered, his voice trembling with fury.
Adam, taken aback, muttered something under his breath before storming out of the kitchen.
“I don’t understand why you favor her over your own son,” Adam grumbled, his voice fading as he left.
Martin turned to Alice, his tone softening. “I’m so sorry for what he said. You don’t deserve that. You’ve always been kind to me.”
Alice felt a lump form in her throat, but she didn’t say anything. She just sat quietly, still reeling from Adam’s harsh words.
“I can tell you’re upset,” Martin said gently. “I’m so sorry about how my children treat you. I don’t know what went wrong with them.”
“It’s alright, sir. I’m here for you, not for them. I’m lucky to have you as my employer. You’ve always treated me so kindly, and that’s what matters to me.” Alice smiled softly, her voice thick with emotion. “I see you as the only father figure I’ve ever had.”
Martin’s face fell for a moment, and then he gave her a small, sad smile. “Your birthday is coming up, right?”
“Yes, sir. In three days,” Alice replied, surprised by the sudden shift in the conversation.
“We’ll celebrate,” Martin said, his voice warm, but tinged with something deeper, as if he knew something was coming.
Three days later, Alice woke up early on her 30th birthday. She rushed to the kitchen, only to find Martin already there, standing with a smile on his face. His children—Adam, James, Lucy, and Eva—were all there, too. The clock on the wall read six in the morning, and panic set in. Alice wasn’t prepared for breakfast yet.
“Alice, are you here?” Martin called out to her.
“Yes, sir,” she responded hurriedly. “I didn’t know you were waking up early today. I’ll get breakfast ready right away!”
“We’re starving, Alice!” Lucy mocked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
“Breakfast can wait,” Martin suddenly interrupted, standing up slowly. “I have a gift for you outside, Alice. Happy 30th birthday.”
“A gift outside?” James asked, raising an eyebrow.
“You’ve never given me a gift that needed us to go outdoors,” Eva added, confused.
Alice, still flustered, guided Martin to the door, his four children following behind them. When they stepped outside, a small car with a large ribbon on top waited for her.
“Unbelievable! Are you serious?” Adam scoffed, his face twisted in disbelief.
“That’s not fair! Why are you giving your maid a car?!” Lucy yelled, her jealousy clear as day before she stormed off.
“Alice has been by my side for ten years,” Martin said firmly, his voice steady with conviction. “She’s family to me, and nothing you can say will ever change that.”
Later that day, Martin hosted a small birthday celebration for Alice, inviting the other caretakers who worked on his property—his gardener, driver, and housekeeper.
“Thank you, sir. I don’t know what I did to deserve your kindness,” Alice said, her voice thick with gratitude. “But I promise, I’ll keep doing my job well for as long as you need me.”
Through the years, Alice had grown to see Martin as more than just her employer. He was the father she had never known, and to Martin, she was the daughter he had lost so long ago.
But time, as it does, caught up with Martin. When he turned 80, his health began to decline. One day, feeling the weight of his years, he called his children—and Alice—into his room.
“I know you’ve all been wondering who I’ll leave my estate to,” Martin began, his voice weak but clear. “Lucy, Eva, Adam, and James, you already have control of the business I started. You can continue to run it. But as for this house, everything in it, and my money, I’m leaving it all to Alice.”
“What?!” Lucy shouted, her face twisted in outrage. “What did this witch tell you? Why are you leaving your inheritance to her?”
“You’ll hear from my lawyer! From ALL our lawyers!” Adam added, his voice laced with anger.
“That’s exactly why I’m leaving everything to Alice,” Martin said, his voice steady despite the rising tension. “Because I know that none of you truly care about me. Only Alice has been there for me, every single day. But there’s something else… something I haven’t told you until now.”
Before Martin could speak further, his children stormed out of the room, leaving him alone with Alice. His voice softened, filled with years of regret.
“I’m sorry it took me this long, Alice. I didn’t want anything to change, but now… now, I have to tell you the truth. Alice, you are my biological daughter. Your mother left me when she found out I couldn’t marry her. I had to marry someone else, and when she died, you were placed in the orphanage. My friend became your foster mother, and she only told me you were my daughter when you turned 17.”
Tears welled up in Martin’s eyes. “I’m sorry, Alice. I hope I treated you well all these years. I love you.”
Alice, overwhelmed by the confession, embraced Martin, her tears flowing freely. “I love you too,” she whispered. “I’ve always felt you were my dad. And now, hearing you say this… it just confirms everything. I’m so grateful for the time we’ve shared, Dad.”
Lessons from the Story:
- Respect and Kindness Matter: The way Martin’s children treated Alice—as if she were less than them—reminds us how crucial it is to treat everyone with respect. Alice worked tirelessly for Martin, and it was his respect and kindness that stood out above all.
- It’s Never Too Late to Make Things Right: Martin didn’t know Alice was his daughter until she was 17. Yet, he spent the rest of his life trying to make up for lost time, offering her love, respect, and a place in his family when his biological children could not.
