Becca stretched to grab a cereal box from the top shelf of the supermarket when a deep voice behind her said, "Need a hand?"
She turned to see a tall man with piercing blue eyes and an air of quiet confidence. "Oh, thank you." Before she could say more, her son, Simon, tugged at her sweater.
"Mom, can we get this?" he pleaded, holding a chocolate bar.
Becca hesitated, her heart sinking. "I'm sorry, honey, but we can't afford it right now. Maybe next time."
As Simon put the chocolate back with a sad nod, the stranger’s gaze softened. Becca sighed, reaching for her wallet to double-check her funds. She barely had ten dollars left.
Unbeknownst to her, the stranger had taken a peek inside her wallet. His brows furrowed, and before he even knew why, he slid a few hundred-dollar bills into her purse. But as he moved to place it back, Becca turned abruptly.
SMACK!
She swung a milk carton at him, her eyes flashing with panic. "Thief!" she yelled.
The store manager rushed over. The man groaned on the floor, rubbing his head. "Damn… just trying to help."
Guilt crept up Becca’s spine as she fled to the cashier. But when she opened her wallet, her breath caught—hundreds of dollars stared back at her. What…?
Her stomach twisted with remorse. She sprinted back to find him unconscious. "Oh God… what have I done?"
Hours later, Becca sat beside his hospital bed, waiting for him to wake up. When his eyes finally fluttered open, she whispered, "I'm so sorry. I thought you were robbing me."
He chuckled weakly. "If I wanted to rob you, I’d take more than ten bucks."
Her cheeks flushed. "Why… why did you give me money?"
His expression darkened. "Because I can. And because… I don’t have much time left."
Becca’s heart clenched. "What do you mean?"
"I’m dying." His voice was matter-of-fact, but his eyes held a silent plea. "I have an incurable disease. Not much time left."
Becca swallowed hard. "I’m sorry."
He smiled faintly. "Don't be. I’ve spent my whole life being selfish. Using people. Hurting people. I thought maybe… I could buy some good karma before I go."
She stared at him, emotions clashing within her. "You don’t need money for that."
He let out a dry laugh. "Then do me a favor. Just visit me. Spend some time with me. No money involved."
Becca hesitated. But something in his eyes told her—he was sincere. "I’ll think about it."
Days turned into weeks. Becca found herself visiting Mr. Chase daily. Each day, he surprised her with little things—a dinner reservation, a toy for Simon, a book she had once mentioned in passing. He listened, he cared, he laughed with them.
For the first time in years, Becca felt seen.
And before she realized it, she had fallen for him.
One evening, under the glow of city lights, he took her hand. "Becca, you won’t lose me. Even when I’m gone, I’ll always be with you."
Her throat tightened. "Don’t say that. We have more time."
He smiled, but his eyes said otherwise. "Promise me something? Be happy. Let someone love you the way you deserve."
Tears welled up. "I… I don’t want to love you if it means losing you."
"Then don’t lose me. Remember me."
She kissed him. A desperate, broken kiss filled with unspoken words.
But time was cruel.
One morning, the hospital called.
Mr. Chase was gone.
Becca stood frozen, unable to breathe. The man who had transformed her life had vanished like a dream.
He left everything to her. Millions. More than she could ever imagine. But no amount of money could replace him.
Simon tugged at her sleeve. "Mom… do you think he’s watching over us?"
A tear slipped down her cheek. "I know he is."
That night, as the wind whispered through the trees, she swore she heard his voice. "I’ll always be with you."
And in her heart, he remained—forever.
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Love that changes your life is rare. Have you ever met someone who left a permanent mark on your soul? Share your story below!
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