An ordinary day took an extraordinary turn when a letter revealed a secret that changed one woman’s life forever.
Gregory carefully locked up the small corner shop where he’d faithfully worked as a cashier for twenty years. Despite his old, thin coat barely keeping away the evening chill, he couldn’t help but smile. Today was another satisfying day at work.
His wife, however, had never understood his contentment in what she considered a low-status job. She’d left him, chasing bigger dreams, but Gregory still had his beloved daughter, Linda.
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Linda waited in the foyer of their apartment complex, still in her cashier uniform, holding a letter in one hand. The expression on her face was a mix of curiosity and apprehension.
“What’s that, Linda?” Gregory asked, approaching her with a puzzled look on his face.
Linda looked up, her eyes wide. “You tell me, Dad. I don’t even dare to open it.”
Gregory took the letter from her and, noticing the name of a legal practice on the envelope, his brow furrowed with concern.
“Why would a lawyer be writing to me?”
Tearing open the envelope, he scanned the contents quickly. His jaw dropped, and the papers trembled in his hands.
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“What does it say, Dad? Is something wrong?”
“It’s… it’s unbelievable. According to this letter, someone has left you a business with three restaurants, worth nearly four million dollars.”
“That can’t be real!” Linda exclaimed, grabbing the letter from him. “It has to be a mistake or scam.”
“I did this to see if you’re a good person.”
“There’s one way to find out.” Gregory pointed to the lawyer’s number on the letterhead.
The next day, still in disbelief, Linda called the lawyer and set up a meeting. Gregory went with her for support.
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When they stepped into the lawyer’s office, Linda’s nerves were evident. “This must be an error,” she insisted.
“I don’t know anyone who would leave me such a fortune.”
The lawyer shook his head firmly. “There’s no mistake, Miss. Matthew Markham was specific in his instructions.”
Gregory felt a bolt of lightning strike his heart. “Please, repeat that name.”
“Matthew Markham.”
At that moment, a flood of realization hit Gregory, and he broke into tears.
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A few months earlier…
Matthew, anxious and desperate, approached the cashier, Gregory. With a simple purchase of gum, he hesitated as he read the nametag: ‘Gregory.’ His heart pounded. This was the man he had been searching for.
“Sir, are you alright?”
Snapping out of his daze, Matthew handed over a five-dollar bill. “Actually, I need to talk to you. It’s about Linda.”
Gregory froze at the mention of his daughter’s name. “Is she in trouble?”
“No, nothing like that. Can we meet somewhere private to talk?”
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Later, in a nearby diner, Matthew gathered his courage. Recent conversations about his terminal illness with his friend Jeremy had led to shocking revelations. He’d learned he had a daughter—his ex had died during childbirth, and the baby was given up for adoption.
With a detective’s help, Matthew tracked down Gregory, the man who adopted his daughter, Linda.
“Gregory, I’m Linda’s biological father,” Matthew began. “Does she know she was adopted?”
“No,” Gregory responded, eyes pleading. “Please don’t tell her. My wife left me, and she’s all I have left.”
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Conflicted, Matthew didn’t want to disrupt Linda’s life, especially with his limited time. “What’s she like? Is she a good person?” he asked softly.
Gregory smiled warmly. “She’s incredible—kind, compassionate, treats everyone equally.”
Matthew left with an idea brewing in his mind.
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The next day, disguised in shabby clothes, Matthew visited Linda’s store. His heart raced as he approached her checkout with basic groceries.
“I’m sorry,” he stammered, counting his coins. “I can’t afford this.”
“No worries, sir,” Linda said, her smile sincere. “I’ll cover it myself.”
A week later, Matthew returned, looking every bit a wealthy man. He filled his cart with luxury items and headed straight to Linda’s counter.
“Out of my way!” he demanded, pushing through the queue. “I’m in a rush.”
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Linda’s gaze fixed firmly on him. “You’ll have to wait your turn, sir,” she said, directing service to the patient customers behind him.
“Do you know who I am?” he bellowed. “I need to be served first!”
“Sorry, sir, but I don’t let anyone cut the line, no matter their importance.”
Matthew’s stern face broke into a delighted grin. “I’m glad you said that.”
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He presented a bouquet of lilies and money for the items. “These flowers are for you, Linda. My name is Matthew, and I did this to see if you’re a good person.”
“When you see these lilies, remember my name, please.”
Present day…
“Matthew was your biological father, Linda,” Gregory revealed gently. “We adopted you.”
“Why didn’t you ever tell me?” Linda asked, tears streaming.
“I feared you might feel hurt or abandon me like your mother did,” Gregory confessed.
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Linda embraced him tightly. “I’d never leave you, Dad.”
The lawyer, clearing his throat, continued. “Matthew left you his business empire as his sole heir. It’s worth over three million dollars.”
“Plus, he requested I give you something special.”
Stepping out briefly, the lawyer returned with a radiant bouquet of yellow lilies.
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Cradling the blossoms, Linda’s tears of joy fell freely. “He told me to remember his name when I saw lilies,” she explained, turning to Gregory.
“He once said he’d be proud of me.” Gregory’s voice broke. “And I believe he still is, watching over us.”
Lesson of a Lifetime
Treat people equally, and you will be rewarded. Linda’s kindness inspired Matthew to leave her his legacy.
One can find happiness in a simple life. Gregory and Linda cherished their work, living honestly.
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If this story moved you, check out another touching story about a woman who discovered the house she cleaned for ten years actually belonged to her.
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