I knew that my grandfather left behind a large fortune.
My grandfather's funeral was a sad but dignified event. The family came from all over the country to pay tribute to the man who had been our pillar for years. Grandpa Zygmunt was an incredibly charismatic person – he inspired respect, but also warmth, and his wisdom was a role model for us. He never lacked a word of encouragement or support when any of us needed it.
I knew that my grandfather had left behind a considerable fortune. He had been running his own business for years, and his savings and investments were something the whole family whispered about. Although no one spoke about it openly, we all expected that his fortune would be divided among his closest relatives. However, what I learned that day was like a blow straight to the heart.
After the funeral, when most of the guests had gone home, the closest family gathered in my grandfather’s living room. The notary, whom my aunt had invited earlier, was to read the will. The atmosphere was full of tension, but also of a certain expectation.
We all thought that my grandfather had made sure that each of us would receive something after his death.
The notary began reading. At first there were moving words of farewell – even in death, my grandfather had a way of moving us. But when he moved on to the subject of his estate, the air in the room became heavy.
– “All assets, including the house, the company and the savings, are transferred to Mrs. Marta Kowalska.”
The room fell silent. I looked at my mother, my uncle, and my cousin – we all had the same questions. Who was Marta Kowalska? What right did she have to inherit everything our grandfather had created?
– „Just a moment…” my mother broke the silence. – “Who is this Marta Kowalska? This must be some mistake!”
The notary looked up from the documents.
– “This is the person your father indicated as the heir. All formalities have been taken care of in accordance with the law.”
Confusion erupted immediately. My uncle started shouting, my cousins were whispering to each other, and my mother was trying to find out more. But the notary had no additional information – his job was just to read the will.
I couldn't stay silent any longer.
– „Does anyone know who this woman is? Why did grandpa leave her everything?!”
No one had an answer. Finally, I decided to act. A few days later, with the help of a lawyer friend, I managed to find out that Marta Kowalska was a young woman who had been visiting grandpa regularly for a year. Apparently, he met her through one of the charities he was involved with.
Furious and hurt, I decided to confront her. When I knocked on her door, a slender woman with a gentle smile opened the door. She didn't look like someone who had stolen a fortune.
– „Mrs. Marta Kowalska?” I asked coldly.
– „Yes, it's me. How can I help you??”
– „I want to know why my grandfather left his entire fortune to you.”
She looked at me with pain in her eyes.
– „Your grandfather… helped me when I was at my lowest point in my life. I had lost my home, my job, and all my hope. He found me when I needed help, and he offered to help me rebuild my life. Over the past year, he has become like the father I never had. I never asked him for money, but… I think he wanted to thank me for being there for him during those difficult times.”
Her words were sincere, but I couldn't understand why Grandpa hadn't told us. Did he think we didn't deserve his support? Or maybe he wanted to punish us for not visiting him often?
To this day I can't find the answers to those questions. Marta gave some of the money to charity, but kept the rest, in accordance with Grandpa's will. The relationships in our family were forever changed – because even though we loved my grandfather, his decision showed how little we knew about him.
I've learned one thing: you can't take anything for granted, even in family. Sometimes what seems obvious hides stories we would never have thought of.
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