After helping his elderly mother move into a nursing facility, Caleb and his fiancée come home to find his stuff abandoned on the porch and strangers moving in. He’s confused and saddened, believing his closest confidant deceived him. Joe finds a shocking truth: his mother risked all to shield him from a concealed peril, far closer than he thought.

“Caleb, you did well.” Natalie grinned and patted his thigh. “Your mom will benefit from the care home. We can finally start turning her sewing room into a nursery.”

Caleb nodded, smiling. Natalie was calm, realistic, and kind. Eleanor, his mother, should see that. However, her memory had deteriorated and her moods moved like a pendulum in recent months. Natalie kept telling him Eleanor was no longer his mother.

Caleb grimaced as they approached the house. Moving trucks were in the driveway. Two men carried a couch to the porch while two youngsters played tag on the yard.

“What the hell?” Caleb park by the curb, muttering.

He exited and approached the home. “Hey! Why is this happening? My mother lives here!”

A surprised man waved. “You must be Caleb! I understand the confusion. Your mom sold us the house last week. Just moved in today. Here are the documents. You own this material, I think.”

Caleb turned slowly. Three bags, a duffel bag, and a Caleb cardboard box lined the doorstep.

Natalie grabbed the documents next him. “Give me that,” she snapped, perusing the papers. Her face went pale, then red. “Wow, it’s real. She sold it!”

“What?” Caleb grabbed her arm. “That’s absurd. When? Why would she—?”

Natalie backed off. “You’re stupid. She manipulated you. You let her enter a nursing facility while she sold everything we owned!”

Do not mention that. We’re still together—

“Oh, spare me.” Miss Natalie laughed maliciously. There is no ‘us.’ No baby either, genius. I made that up to control you.”

Caleb heart stopped. Wait…what?

She removed her engagement ring and threw it into the grass. “You were stepping stones. Since I trusted you to oversee your elderly mother, I have nothing. Pathetic.”

Natalie stormed off without looking back.

Caleb stood stunned when the new owners closed his mother’s former house’s front door. He sat on a suitcase, staring at the concrete. He noticed the envelope.

“Caleb” was written in his mother’s handwriting on a white envelope under the cardboard box flap.

Dear Caleb,

This was never my intention. I regret not seeing the truth before this, but I understand why. You always trusted individuals more than they deserved. I will clarify what happened.

Three Weeks Before

Eleanor reclined in her recliner, oxygen tube under her nose, knitting needles clicking. Caleb sat across from her, arm over Natalie’s shoulder, smiling proudly.

“We’ve decided,” he said. I’m proposing this weekend to Natalie, who’s moving in.

Eleanor blinked. “This weekend? But you’ve only known each other—”

“Five weeks,” Natalie said. You know when you know.

“Mom, I’ve never felt like this,” Caleb said. She’s awesome. You’ll see.”

Eleanor grinned and went to the kitchen. Her thoughts raced. Romantic Caleb was too trusting for himself. Natalie was gorgeous and personable, but too perfect. Eleanor knew long ago that flawless was dangerous.

Natalie joined her on the couch with knitting needles that night. “Mind if I join you?” she inquired politely.

Surprised, Eleanor nodded. They discussed patterns, stitching, and laughed. Eleanor doubted her suspicions.

Until later that night, when she walked to the kitchen for water and heard Natalie on speakerphone in the bathroom.

“She’s like a horror movie character,” Natalie muttered. With that oxygen tank, always wheezing. No worries—he’s fascinated with me. After packing her into a care home, I’ll take the house and release him.”

Eleanor froze.

After returning to her room, she planned all night. Caleb wouldn’t believe her. Her claws were deep. Eleanor must reveal the information quietly.

Over several days, Eleanor cooperated. Smiled. Pretended not to observe Natalie calculating her pills or overchecking her oxygen tank. Caleb entered with a solemn face.

“Mom, Natalie’s business is taking off,” he added. “She needs backers. Want to assist her—

“I see.”

“I suggest you consider moving into assisted living to achieve that.”

It existed.

“I don’t want to leave my home,” Eleanor whispered.

“I know, Mom. But consider how hard it has been lately. You merit greater care.”

How can you afford Natalie’s investment?

Caleb paused. It’s possible to sell the residence temporarily. Will buy it back. I assure you.”

Eleanor was gasping from sadness, not disease.

“Give me time,” she muttered. “Just let me think.”

She knew what to do.

Next afternoon, Eleanor followed Natalie. She followed her to a downtown cafe and saw her kiss a man.

Eleanor caught the moment on her phone. Then she called Caleb.

Come downtown. Maple/3rd corner. Now.”

Caleb looked like he was punched when he saw Natalie laughing and brushing her hand across the stranger’s through the window.

Eleanor brought him to the window. “Your soulmate.”

Caleb raged inside. “What the hell is happening?”

Natalie stood up. “You followed me?! Caleb is my cousin. My people say hello that way.”

His apology seemed embarrassing.

“Want proof I’m not cheating?” Natalie added, reaching into her purse. “Here. My intention was not to say this… but I’m pregnant.”

Eleanor gaped. You’re not—

“I am. And I’d never cheat on my child’s dad.”

Caleb melted. Hugged her. Eleanor was silently watching. Natalie won.

Until Eleanor’s last move.

In the Present

Eleanor’s letter continued:

I knew pushing harder would make you believe I was crazy. She told you I was puzzled, right?

So I feigned to agree. I signed paperwork. I went to nursing home. To an honest buyer, I sold the house. The cash? Totally yours. It was always. I couldn’t let her get it.

Sorry it had to happen. I wish you’d understand and forgive me.

Love always,
Mom

Caleb stared at the letter, crying.

He sprang up and drove to the nursing home, wanting to tell his mother everything, confess she was right, and beg her forgiveness.

He was stopped by the receptionist’s expression when he arrived.

Mr. Langston? About 40 minutes ago, your mother was brought to County General. Respiratory failure. I tried calling—

Caleb acted swiftly.

A hospital nurse escorted him to a quiet room where a doctor killed him.

I’m sorry. We did everything possible. She died shortly after arriving.”

“No…” Caleb fell into a chair. She was supposed to be fine. I was coming to fix it.”

“She mentioned you,” the doctor said kindly. “Said you were kind. That sustained her.”

Caleb nodded numbly.

Later, he received a bank notification in his automobile. Wire transfer: $500,000. From Eleanor Langston.

Her last present. Her last love act.

Caleb only thought, I didn’t deserve it. She gave it anyhow.