Grandma’s Last Secret
When Grandma passed away, my relatives didn’t waste a single minute. They rushed straight to her house, digging through drawers and cupboards, desperate to find her will. They didn’t even cry.
Me? I was the only one who took her old dog, Berta, home. I didn’t know then that Berta carried more than just Grandma’s scent — she carried Grandma’s biggest secret.
To bring my whole family together, two things always worked: money or death. Unfortunately, that day, it was both.
I stood by the fresh grave, watching as Grandma’s coffin slowly disappeared into the earth. Cold wind brushed my cheeks. Beside me, Berta whined softly, pulling on her leash, as if she wanted to jump in after her.
Berta wasn’t just any dog. Grandma bought her when I was little and used to say, “She’s my best friend — the only one who never betrayed me.”
Grandma was strong, proud, and stubborn. She had earned a lot during her life — houses, savings, investments — but she never gave a cent to her children or grandchildren. Instead, she paid for everyone’s education.
Her rule was simple: “In life, you must rise on your own, just like I did.”
Because of that, Mom, Uncle Jack, and Aunt Florence all stopped talking to her. They didn’t even mention her name for years… until she died.
At the cemetery, I looked around at my family. Their faces showed fake sadness, but their eyes were already calculating. They weren’t there for Grandma — they were there for her money.
I knew Grandma too well. She wouldn’t make it easy for them.
I was the one who’d lived with her for the last six months, taking care of her while juggling my job as a nurse. It was exhausting — sleepless nights, hospital shifts, and her medicines.
Still, I didn’t regret it. She was tough, but she appreciated me.
I remembered once when I got a huge car repair bill.
“I don’t know how I’ll pay for this,” I told her.
Grandma looked at me calmly. “You’re a strong girl, Meredith. You’ll manage.”
That was Grandma. Tough love — no pity, no shortcuts.
After the funeral, everyone drove to her house. The atmosphere inside was icy. No one talked — just glared at each other, waiting for the lawyer.
I had already packed my stuff. I knew they wouldn’t let me stay in Grandma’s house.
Aunt Florence broke the silence first. “Meredith, remind me, what kind of doctor are you again?”
“I’m not a doctor. I’m a nurse,” I said.
“A nurse?” Uncle Jack repeated, wrinkling his nose. “You won’t make any money that way. Look at Tom — he runs his own car company. And Alice has beauty salons.”
Tom and Alice sat there, smiling proudly like royalty.
“I help people. That’s enough for me,” I said firmly.
Mom rolled her eyes and muttered, “I can’t believe I gave birth to her.”
That stung. We only talked three times a year — birthdays and Christmas, always on the phone.
The doorbell rang. No one moved, so I went to open it.
It was Mr. Johnson, Grandma’s lawyer. Always calm, always serious. I led him to the living room, where everyone sat waiting like vultures.
“I won’t take much of your time,” he said, standing by the door. “There isn’t much to discuss.”
“What do you mean?” Mom snapped. “What about the will?”
“She must have left something to someone!” Uncle Jack shouted.
Mr. Johnson’s voice didn’t change. “It seems Cassandra didn’t think so.”
Aunt Florence frowned. “What does that mean?”
“It means none of you will receive any inheritance,” he said plainly.
The room exploded.
“What?! That’s impossible!” Mom screamed. “We’re her family! Who gets everything then?!”
“I’m afraid I can’t share that,” Mr. Johnson replied. “Now, please, all of you must leave this house.”
No one moved.
“That old witch!” Uncle Jack yelled. “Even in death she’s punishing us!”
“Don’t say that!” I said quickly. “Grandma cared about us — just in her own way.”
“Yeah, sure,” Mom muttered bitterly. “She was a witch while she lived, and she’s still one now.”
Berta barked loudly, startling everyone.
“Oh right,” Aunt Florence said. “What do we do with that dog?”
“Put her down,” Mom said coldly.
“I agree,” Uncle Jack added. “She’s ancient anyway.”
“You can’t do that!” I shouted.
“And what do you suggest, Meredith? Let her starve?” Mom said.
“Grandma loved Berta. Someone has to take her.”
The room filled with laughter.
“If you want her, then take her,” Mom said with a smirk. “That woman didn’t care about us. Why should we care about her mutt?”
“I can’t,” I admitted softly. “My lease doesn’t allow pets.”
“Then it’s decided,” Uncle Jack said firmly. “We’ll put her down.”
“Tom? Alice?” I turned to my cousins. “Please.”
Tom shrugged. Alice grimaced. “No way. I’m not bringing a flea-ridden animal home.”
I sighed heavily. “Fine. I’ll take Berta,” I said finally.
Mr. Johnson cleared his throat. “I’ll remind everyone — you no longer have the right to be here. Please leave.”
“And who does have that right?!” Mom shouted.
“Please don’t make me call the police,” he said quietly.
That ended the argument. Everyone left angrily, slamming doors.
I gathered Berta’s things, helped her into the car, and drove home. My landlord agreed to let me keep her temporarily — for a higher rent, of course.
Berta missed Grandma terribly. She’d sleep beside my bed every night, whimpering softly. I missed her too.
A few days later, after a night shift, someone pounded on my door.
When I opened it, I froze.
Mom stood there, furious.
“Mom? What are you doing here?” I asked.
“I know you have it!” she yelled.
“What?”
“The inheritance! I know she left everything to you!”
“I swear, she didn’t. All I got was Berta,” I said.
Mom blinked. “What?”
“Berta. The dog. That’s all.”
“Don’t lie to me!” she screamed. “You were always her favorite! You owe me that money — I gave birth to you!”
“I have nothing!” I cried, tears filling my eyes.
“Liar!” she spat. “We’ll see about that, witch!” Then she stormed off, slamming the door.
I fell to the floor, sobbing. Berta climbed into my lap, resting her head on my chest. I stroked her gently — and that’s when I noticed it.
Her collar had a small metal tag — one I’d never really looked at. I turned it over and saw an address and a number engraved: 153.
I typed the address into my phone. It led to the train station. The number looked like a locker number.
But how would I open it?
Then I noticed the tag could open like a locket. Inside was a tiny key.
My heart started racing.
I drove straight to the station. My hands trembled as I slid the key into locker 153. It clicked open.
Inside was a folder marked “For Meredith.”
I opened it and found a handwritten letter from Grandma and several official-looking papers.
The letter read:
“My dearest Meredith,
I have decided to leave everything I earned to a person with a pure heart, who helps others and expects nothing in return.Whoever takes care of Berta after I’m gone shall receive my estate. I am certain that person will be you.
You are the only one who still carries kindness in this family.
With love, Grandma.”
Tears blurred my vision. I opened the folder — it was the real will.
Just then, a voice behind me made me jump.
“Aha! I knew you were hiding something!”
It was Mom. And behind her — Uncle Jack.
“I swear, I didn’t know anything!” I said, panicking.
“So she really left everything to you,” Uncle Jack sneered.
“What are you two doing here?!” Mom yelled.
“You think you’re the only one who can spy?” he said smugly. “I hired a private detective to follow Meredith. Now hand over the will.”
“No!” Mom shouted. “She’s my daughter! Give it to me!”
Before I could respond, another voice spoke. Calm but firm.
“Meredith will give it to no one.”
It was Mr. Johnson, standing at the end of the hallway.
Uncle Jack’s eyes widened. “Where the hell did you come from?”
“I had a tracker on the locker. I suspected this might happen,” Mr. Johnson said coldly.
Mom screamed, “I have the right! I’m her mother!”
“No,” Mr. Johnson said. “The inheritance belongs to whoever cared for Berta — and that’s Meredith.”
“I’ll take the dog then!” Uncle Jack shouted.
“It’s too late. She already did. Without knowing the reward — and that was the condition,” Mr. Johnson said. “If either of you interferes, I’ll call the police.”
The two of them froze, defeated.
I held the folder tightly, my heart pounding.
Mr. Johnson placed a hand on my shoulder. “Come, Meredith. We have things to discuss.”
As we walked out, I asked, “Why did she do this, Mr. Johnson? Why hide it all?”
“She wanted to test hearts,” he said softly. “She wanted her fortune to go to someone good.”
I smiled faintly. “Then I’ll use it to help others — maybe fund the hospital.”
He nodded. “It’s yours now. But I think that’s exactly what she wanted.”
I looked down at Berta, sitting loyally by my side. “You knew all along, didn’t you, girl?”
Berta wagged her tail.
And in that moment, I felt Grandma’s presence — proud, warm, and watching over me.
