A Tale of Inheritance and Secrets
A greedy brother mocks his younger sister after inheriting their grandmother’s house, while she receives only five rusty old clocks. Little did they know what those timepieces held inside.
An Unwelcome Greeting
“Ah, so Grandma called you too? I figured you’d be busy in the library, like a good little bookworm!” 26-year-old Brian scoffed at his younger sister, Linda. She had just stepped out of a taxi, her heart heavy with worry. Though she tried to comfort herself, fear clung to her thoughts—nothing would happen to their grandmother, right?
The siblings had rushed to visit their 90-year-old grandmother, Marlene, who had summoned them with urgency. “Sweethearts, I need to see you one last time,” she had said two days earlier. Her voice was filled with a quiet pain.
A Granddaughter’s Devotion
As Linda entered the dusty, dimly lit bedroom, she was hit by the stark signs of her grandmother’s frailty. The ceiling had mold from a leak, and the air smelled musty. Marlene’s health had worsened. Linda rushed to her grandmother’s bedside. “Grandma!” she cried, embracing her. “You’ll be fine. You’re all we have.”
Brian, grinning and coughing from the dust, was far less moved. “Didn’t you sweep this place, Grandma?” he sneered, barely concealing his indifference. His mind was on other things—namely, why they had been called.
A Modest Inheritance
Marlene looked into Brian’s eyes, then turned to Linda with a weak smile. She handed them two envelopes. “This is for you. Use it wisely,” she said softly. Each envelope held $5,000.
Linda was overwhelmed with emotion and fled the room in tears. Brian, however, frowned in disappointment. “Only this much?” he muttered before turning to leave, offering no thanks.
The Return of a Grateful Heart
The next morning, Linda surprised Marlene by returning. She had added her own savings to the money and offered to pay for her grandmother’s eye surgery. Marlene, deeply touched, refused, saying it was too late for surgery and that the money could be put to better use.
Linda insisted on staying. She took a month off from her studies to care for Marlene, who felt revived by her granddaughter’s presence. The two shared precious moments together, but Linda knew there was something more she needed to do to bring true joy to her grandmother’s heart.
A Grand Gesture
One day, Marlene heard unfamiliar voices and went to investigate. She found Linda had used her savings to renovate the house—repairing leaks and restoring the home her grandmother cherished. “Do you like it, Grandma? I wanted you to see the house you and Grandpa loved,” Linda said, beaming with pride.
Marlene, overwhelmed with emotion, hugged her tightly. A week later, her heart’s deepest wish came true—Marlene passed away peacefully, her soul content.
A Surprising Will
Days after the funeral, Linda and Brian were summoned to the lawyer’s office. Brian was overjoyed to learn he had inherited their grandmother’s house. Meanwhile, Linda received a small box containing five old clocks.
Brian couldn’t help but mock her. “You got the short end of the stick, sis! Enjoy decorating your apartment with those rusty relics!” Linda, heartbroken, left without saying a word.
The Hidden Treasure
Days later, while examining one of the clocks, Linda noticed something strange. Etched inside were the words: “OPEN IT!” She did, and inside was a note from Marlene.
“Never underestimate these old clocks,” it began. “They are priceless timepieces, each worth $40,000. Everyone gets what they truly deserve, Linda.”
Linda’s heart swelled with gratitude and joy. Her grandmother had left her the true treasure, knowing she would appreciate it most. Linda chose to keep this secret from her brother, smiling at the thought. “Let him think he got the best. Grandma knew who really did.”
