At 74, Margaret sat in her nursing home, lost in thought, when her aide, Emma, said, “Your grandson’s here!” Margaret’s heart sank, knowing Daniel only visited for gain. Five years ago, she lived alone in her late husband’s house. Daniel, married to Lisa, seldom came until he visited often, saying Lisa needed costly surgery. Margaret sold her home, gave him the money, and moved in, unaware it funded their Caribbean getaway. Overhearing Lisa’s plan to send her away, Margaret realized their betrayal.
Daniel soon suggested a nursing home, citing plans for a baby. Crushed, Margaret agreed, seeing him only once yearly. Now, suspecting he’d heard of her cousin’s inheritance, she dressed carefully before meeting him. Daniel’s warm greeting preceded his plea: “Lisa needs surgery,” he said, asking for her funds. Knowing his deceit, Margaret mentioned her own “urgent cancer surgery,” asking whose was more critical. Daniel prioritized Lisa, breaking Margaret’s heart. She requested a day to think, hoping he’d choose her.
Sleepless, Margaret mourned Daniel’s greed, shaped by his wayward father before she raised him. She wished he’d value her life, but he didn’t. The next day, Daniel persisted. Margaret claimed the inheritance was delayed, suggesting he mortgage his house, promising to cover it later. Daniel agreed, oblivious to her plan. Emma later showed Margaret Daniel and Lisa’s Hawaii vacation posts, funded by the mortgage. Margaret’s health failed, and she passed two weeks later, leaving a poignant lesson.
At her funeral, Daniel, grieving, was prompted by Lisa to check the inheritance. A lawyer brought an envelope with $50 and a note: “I knew your lies, Daniel. Money doesn’t buy love. Work at my nursing home for a year to learn care. This is for the bus. Love, Grandma.” Enraged, Daniel cursed her, unaware her fortune was his if he fulfilled her wish; otherwise, it went to the nursing home. Facing homelessness from the mortgage, Daniel faced Margaret’s truth: greed leads to loss, but love endures, a lesson he might still learn.
