Chapter 4

She kept driving until she reached the conviction store. And she saw the home less women sitting with a cup in her hand begging for cents.

And she recognised the lady. She was her nurse! How could this happen? She wondered. of all the people in her father's house, only her nurse was closest of all to her. She loved her nurse more than anything. How could life turn so cruel towards her?

She instantly got out of her car and went running towards her. "Oh Maria!" She screamed her nurses name and hugged her as tightly as she could.

"my little princess, is that you?" Maria said recognising the voice.

"yes it is Maria! oh! look at you! How are you?" She said crying."Oh, my princess, I am absolutely fine dear, what about you, you look soo beautiful dear, look! what a beautiful women you have grown into dear!" Maria said kissing her on her forehead. "Oh, Maria I have to tell you something." And she narrated all that happened to her since yesterday up until now.

"I see dear. so your father really wanted you to know, all about me." said Maria "Maria what do you mean by all about me?please tell me!" She pleaded.

"well dear, when you were 1 year old, I was appointed as your nurse. I saw your father's success and everything through my eyes. when you were about 3 years old, one night your father came drunk, in the house."

Maria had tears in her eyes while she was remembering this."i was in your room as you were cradled to sleep. suddenly your father came in, grabbed me from my arm, and took me to his room. I was afraid, but he was all drunk I couldn't do a single thing. I tried to escape from his room but, he forcefully pushed me on his bed. And.....'" she understood. "I know what might have happened after that." She said sobbing.

"yes, my little princess, you are right. what you are thinking is true. later that month I found out that I was pregnant. your father had no choice but to keep the baby.

He kept me up until 3rd month, than he sent me to a women's housing . I never wanted to leave you alone. But I had no choice. later I gave birth to a baby boy. I named him summer." She was shocked, summer was her half brother?she thought in horror.

"your father used to send us monthly income, but I refused to accept it, I said I don't want free money, I earn enough to feed my boy and myself. But he begged me, he said that he wanted to do something for me. so I said, when it would be the right time, you can gift me a house." And Maria finished her story.

She signed the papers of the house and gave it to Maria. She felt betrayed l. She was again stabbed in her back. yet she went in the store, In the candy section and searched for the note. She found it under the can of her beloved candy. She read the note which said.

"Dear daughter, this is the last note you are getting from me. And I know Maria would have told you everything you need to know. soo I want to first apologise to you, for I hid such a big news from you. And I know, knowing this, now you would even forget me again. well maybe you would be doing the right thing. But dear please, I just want you to know that I love you more than anything in this world. if possible please forgive me. I also own an apology to summer. my son I can't love you as much as I love my daughter. But I still love you. Now, my dear daughter I practically left nothing for you in my will, Becuse honey, money is just a sorce of buying, selling,loving,apologising,making happy for people in today's world.

But the real love is rare. And I am giving only you this rare gift of love. consider it as inheritance from a stranger. And for you Maria, also. I completed my promise. my son I am giving you this money in the form of my rare love. so you make wise decision through it."

She was crying. she crumbled the note and threw it in the dustbin. "I can never forgive you father. But I will never forget you" she said underneath her breathe