Ben was a successful businessman, but his journey had been anything but easy. His childhood had been full of neglect, and his mother, Ellen, had never shown him the love he desperately craved. Yet, despite everything, he had managed to rise above it. Years later, just as he was basking in his success, the past he had tried so hard to leave behind came knocking at his door.
Sitting in his grand office, surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city skyline, Ben studied the financial statements on his computer screen. His company’s revenue had grown by tens of millions of dollars. He leaned back in his chair, feeling a rare sense of satisfaction.
Just as he reached for his phone to call his assistant, Jane, she stormed into the office with a look that immediately made him uneasy.
“Ah, Jane, perfect timing! I was just about to call you. The numbers are fantastic! I think we should celebrate. Get some champagne and gather everyone in the canteen for a toast,” Ben said, grinning.
Jane hesitated. “Uh, yes, sir. But…” she trailed off, wringing her hands nervously.
Ben raised an eyebrow. “But what?” he asked, sensing bad news.
She took a deep breath before saying, “Sir, your mother… She was seen under a bridge not far from here. One of the security guards recognized her. She looks like she’s been living there for a while.”
Ben froze. His chest tightened as memories from his past came rushing back. After a long pause, he finally exhaled and said, “Thanks for telling me, Jane. I’ll take a raincheck on the champagne. But make sure the team still gets a bottle and a gift bag. You deserve one too.”
“Thank you, sir,” Jane said softly before leaving.
Alone in his office, Ben reclined in his chair, rubbing his temples. He had spent years forcing himself to forget Ellen, to push the pain aside. But now, she was back, and he wasn’t sure how to feel about it.
Ben had grown up in a small, rundown apartment with his mother and older brother, Simon. His father had left them when he was young, and Ellen had always favored Simon over him. While Simon got new clothes and toys, Ben had to settle for hand-me-downs.
One day, when he was in high school, Ben finally worked up the courage to ask for something of his own.
“Mom, do you think I could get this outfit? It’s on sale, and it’s not too expensive,” he said, showing her a store pamphlet.
Ellen didn’t even glance at it. Instead, she scowled and snapped, “Get that out of my face! Do you think money falls from trees? Go earn some if you want new clothes!”
Ben’s heart sank. But instead of sulking, he decided to take her words literally. That same day, he began looking for a job. A few days later, he was hired as a lifeguard at a local sports club.
Excited, he rushed home to tell his mother. As he stepped inside, thick smoke filled the apartment. Panicked, he ran to the kitchen and found a pot burning on the stove, flames dangerously close to the curtains. He quickly put out the fire and ran to his mother’s room, where he found her stumbling out, rubbing her eyes.
“Mom! The kitchen almost caught fire!” he exclaimed.
Ellen yawned and mumbled, “Oh. Must’ve forgotten the stove was on. Help me open the windows.”
As they aired out the smoke, Ben decided to tell her the good news. “Mom, I took your advice! I got a job as a lifeguard.”
She scoffed. “How much does it pay?”
“Not much, but it’s a start.”
Ellen rolled her eyes. “Money, Ben. We need money.” With that, she walked back to her room and slammed the door shut. From inside, Ben could hear murmurs—it was another man’s voice. It was the first of many strangers who would come into their lives unannounced.
Despite the coldness at home, Ben found solace in his job. One afternoon, while off-duty, he spotted a girl struggling in the deep end of the pool. Without hesitation, he dived in and pulled her to safety.
She coughed up water, her wide eyes filled with fear. “You saved my life,” she whispered.
Ben smiled. “It’s my job.”
Just then, a man in a sharp suit rushed over. “Angie!” he cried, pulling the girl into his arms. “What happened?”
“I almost drowned, Dad. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t be here,” she said, pointing at Ben.
The man turned to him. “Thank you,” he said sincerely. “I owe you.”
That man was Brian, a powerful businessman. True to his word, he stayed in touch with Ben and later offered him a job. Over the years, Ben worked his way up, proving himself at every turn. He and Angie grew close, eventually falling in love and getting married. Brian saw potential in Ben and, before retiring, handed him control of his company.
Now, years later, Ben stood under the bridge, staring at the frail woman hunched over in rags. His heart twisted. This was his mother—the same woman who had neglected and abandoned him, now begging for scraps on the street.
“Oh, my son,” Ellen rasped, tears in her eyes.
Ben knelt beside her and gently wrapped his suit jacket around her. “What happened, Mom?”
She sniffled. “Simon got sick. The insurance wouldn’t cover his treatment, so I sold my apartment to help him. But it wasn’t enough. He passed away, and I lost everything.”
Ben clenched his jaw. Despite everything, he felt a pang of sadness for his brother.
“I know I wasn’t a good mother,” Ellen continued, her voice breaking. “I was selfish. I see that now. But please, don’t do this out of pity. Just help me because I’m still your mother.”
Ben exhaled sharply. He had spent years hating her, but seeing her like this, he realized that holding onto his anger wouldn’t change the past. Slowly, he helped her to her feet.
As he did, a piece of paper fell from his jacket pocket. He picked it up and recognized his wife’s handwriting. He read the note, and his face turned pale.
“What is it?” Ellen asked.
Ben hesitated before saying, “You’re going to be a grandmother.”
Ellen gasped. “Oh, Ben! That’s wonderful!” She hugged him tightly, weeping.
For the first time in years, Ben allowed himself to embrace her back. He wasn’t sure if he could ever truly forgive her, but he knew one thing—he wouldn’t let his past define him. He checked Ellen into a hotel, ensured she had food, and arranged the best medical care for her. He took things one step at a time, rebuilding their relationship on his terms.
As he left the hotel that evening, he placed a hand on his wife’s growing belly and whispered, “I promise to be better.”
