Growing up, my parents had a vision: wealth, status, and the perfect marriage to secure it.

“You’ll marry someone who’ll help us get there,” my mother would say.

But when I fell in love with Liam, a humble teacher, they gave me an ultimatum: him or them. I chose love. On my wedding day, their seats sat empty, but Grandpa stood by my side.

Life wasn’t easy. Liam’s salary and my freelance work barely made ends meet, but our home was full of love, especially after Sophie was born. Grandpa was our rock, teaching Sophie that real wealth wasn’t in money but in love freely given.

When Grandpa passed, I saw my parents for the first time in ten years. They begged for forgiveness, and for a moment, my heart soared. Then Aunt Claire pulled me aside.

“Your parents’ apology isn’t real,” she whispered. “Grandpa’s will states they only get their inheritance if they reconcile with you. Otherwise, the money goes to charity.”

I turned to my parents. “Grandpa taught me real wealth is love given without conditions,” I said. “Some people never learn that lesson.”

Later, I discovered Grandpa had left me a separate inheritance for Sophie’s education. My parents got nothing. Their greed had only fueled something good—opportunities for students in need.

That night, as I cuddled with Liam and Sophie, I knew I’d made the right choice. “Mom, tell me a story about Great-Grandpa,” Sophie asked. I smiled. “Let me tell you about the time he taught me what real wealth means…”