Rose, a 63-year-old widow, had lost everything: the only man she ever loved, the only home she had ever known, and the love of her three ungrateful sons, Don, David, and Daniel.
While the three brothers sold their old family home to buy themselves luxurious modern residences, they completely left their mother out of the deal.
Their sister, Debbie, also received a share of the money.
— Who cares? — Don said in a video call with his brothers. — If Debbie wants, she can donate her share to some useless charity for all I care!
— Yeah! And Mom will be fine too. It’s not like she’ll end up begging on the streets! She’s smarter than that! — David laughed.
A MOTHER LEFT HOMELESS
Meanwhile, Rose, with a desperate and exhausted face, stood in line for food at a park among the homeless.
She had never had a moment of rest since losing her husband, Raymond. He had left too soon, leaving her alone to raise four small children.
After his death, Rose worked two jobs for years, saving every penny to secure her children’s education and future.
And she succeeded. All of them became successful professionals.
But now, that no longer mattered to her.
Her sons had failed as human beings.
The only person who never left her thoughts was her daughter, Debbie.
Debbie had left home at 18 years old, determined to earn money to help the family. Life surrounded her with kind people who recognized her talent, and over the years, she became a highly respected medical researcher.
— I’m so proud of our girl, Raymond. — Rose whispered in her heart, as if speaking to her late husband. — But I worry about her… Watch over her for me, and tell her I love her.
AN UNEXPECTED REUNION
At first, Rose didn’t recognize the elegant woman in a sophisticated suit stepping out of a luxury black car.
— Debbie! My darling! Am I dreaming? — Rose felt lightheaded as her daughter hugged her tightly.
— Mom, I’m here now. Everything is going to be okay.
Debbie found out what her brothers had done through a kind neighbor who called her in the middle of the night.
— He told me he saw you eating leftovers in the backseat of Dad’s old car…
Debbie broke down in tears.
— Mom, my heart sank. I took the first flight to find you!
— What Don, David, and Daniel did is unforgivable.
— And as their eldest sister, I decided to teach them a lesson. — Debbie said, determined.
GETTING BACK WHAT WAS LOST
Debbie insisted on taking Rose to a “special place.”
— It’s too late, sweetheart… the house is gone… — Rose said, wiping her tears.
— I know. Because I bought it.
Rose couldn’t believe her ears.
— What did you just say?
Debbie explained how she had spent all her savings to buy back the house, without revealing her identity to her brothers.
— They scammed you, Mom. Now they’ll know how that feels.
When Rose opened a small box Debbie handed her, inside were the keys to their old family home.
— It even has the same old keychain, look! — Rose said, overwhelmed with emotion.
JUSTICE SERVED
A week later, Debbie’s lawyer called Rose.
— Ms. Rose, you are now the sole owner of this house.
— No one can ever force you out again.
— This beautiful $1 million mansion is yours forever.
Rose couldn’t hold back her tears.
She had spent her whole life teaching Debbie to be kind and just.
Now, it was Debbie’s turn to teach her mother to live for herself.