I was young, jobless, and full of uncertainty. With a nursing diploma in hand and no job prospects, higher education in the city felt like a cruel joke. After weeks of failed interviews, I found myself staring into a bleak future.
Then, a small ad caught my eye: “Nanny needed for an elderly lady who cannot walk. Live-in position.” It felt like a lifeline, so I went to the interview.
At the house, a young man in his twenties greeted me. “You must be here for the nanny position,” he said with a polite smile. “I’m Edward.” His sister, Emily, appeared shortly after, explaining that their grandmother was expecting me.
Inside, the house felt like more of an obligation than a welcoming home. Edward and Emily were distant, leaving me to meet Mrs. Blackwood alone.
She greeted me warmly, her smile confident, her laugh hearty. “You must be Mia,” she said, as if she already knew me. “Come in, dear. Sit down.”
I was surprised—she didn’t seem frail at all. “Have a doughnut,” she insisted. “No one should face the world hungry.”
As we talked, I could sense her sharpness. “So, why do you want this job?” she asked. “I need it,” I said, “and I believe I can help you.” She nodded approvingly. “Honesty,” she said, “that’s rare. Welcome aboard.”
At first, everything seemed normal. But then the oddities began. Books moved by themselves. Curtains changed positions. Flowers were mysteriously watered. “Are your grandchildren visiting?” I asked one morning. “No,” she replied, “They’ll come when the will is read.”
Something was off, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that Mrs. Blackwood was hiding something from everyone.
As the days went by, I introduced changes to her routine, like having dinner in the living room instead of her room. The grandchildren weren’t thrilled but joined in. I also suggested reading nights, though Edward and Emily often found excuses to skip.
One evening, they finally decided to leave. “We’ve found a place downtown,” Edward said, “but we’ll need help with rent.”
Mrs. Blackwood smiled. “Next week, my lawyer will be here to change my will,” she said. “Everything will go to Mia.”
The shock on their faces was priceless. “But we’re your grandchildren!” Edward protested. “Then start acting like it,” she shot back, dismissing them with a wave.
From then on, Edward and Emily tried to win her over with extravagant gestures. But it was too late. Mrs. Blackwood’s decision was final.
The next day, Edward told me, “We don’t need you anymore. We can take care of Grandma ourselves.”
I was about to leave when Mrs. Blackwood called me to her room. She handed me an envelope full of cash. “It’s time,” she said. “Rent a car, park it nearby, and wait for the signal.”
That night, I did as she asked, hiding in the garden. When the lights went out, I saw a figure emerge in a black cloak. “Mrs. Blackwood?” I whispered. She nodded, leading me to the jeep. “You can drive?” I asked, astonished. “Of course,” she replied.
She explained everything—how the strange occurrences were part of her plan to teach her grandchildren a lesson. “They’ve spent their lives waiting for something they didn’t earn,” she said. “You showed me true care.”
In the end, Mrs. Blackwood rewrote her will, leaving nothing to her grandchildren. They had a choice: work for their inheritance or leave without it. Surprisingly, they chose to change.
As for me, I found my own place and returned to my hospital internship, with Mrs. Blackwood’s glowing recommendations. That adventure gave me a lifelong friendship with her and taught me the true value of self-worth.
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