Ben had built a life most people could only dream of. He was the CEO of a thriving company, a man of wealth and influence, respected by many. But behind the polished image was a childhood full of pain and neglect, memories he had buried deep. Today, however, those memories would come rushing back when his past showed up at his doorstep.
It was an ordinary workday, or at least, it started that way. Ben sat in his spacious office, staring at the financial statements that had just come in. His company had grown by tens of millions of dollars in revenue. He exhaled deeply, letting the reality of his success settle in. Years of tireless work, sacrifice, and determination had finally paid off.
His fingers hovered over his phone as he prepared to call his assistant, Jane. Before he could dial, she burst through the door, looking unusually tense.
“Ah, Jane! I was just about to call you,” Ben said with excitement. “The numbers are in, and they’re fantastic. I think we’re due for a celebration. Get a few bottles of champagne, and let’s gather everyone in the canteen for a toast.”
Jane hesitated. “Sir, I… I need to tell you something first.”
Ben raised an eyebrow. “Go on.”
“It’s your mother,” she said cautiously. “One of the security guards saw her living under a bridge near the office. She’s not in good shape, sir. I think she’s been there for a while.”
Ben’s heart stopped. He swallowed hard, his celebration forgotten. “My mother?” he echoed, almost to himself.
Jane nodded. “Yes, sir. I thought you should know.”
Ben was silent for a long moment. Then, composing himself, he said, “Thanks, Jane. Go ahead with the celebration, but I’ll pass on the champagne. Make sure everyone gets a gift bag as a token of appreciation. And get yourself something nice too. You deserve it.”
“Thank you, sir,” Jane said softly before leaving.
The moment the door closed, Ben reclined in his chair, his eyes brimming with emotions he hadn’t felt in years. Memories flooded back, taking him to a place he had long tried to forget.
Growing up, Ben had always felt like an afterthought. His mother, Ellen, was a single parent after his father left, and she had always favored his older brother, Simon. Ben wore Simon’s hand-me-downs, rarely received any attention, and was often left to fend for himself.
One day, as a teenager, he had worked up the courage to ask his mother for a new outfit.
“Mom, there’s this sale at the store. Do you think I could get this outfit? It’s not too expensive,” he said, holding up a store pamphlet.
Ellen barely glanced at it. Instead, she scoffed. “Get that out of my face. Do you think money falls from trees? Go earn some yourself!”
Ben felt his stomach drop, but instead of feeling sorry for himself, he took her words to heart. That very day, he started looking for a job.
Eventually, he found work as a lifeguard. His first paycheck made him proud, and he couldn’t wait to tell his mother. But when he got home, the apartment was filled with smoke.
“Mom!” he screamed, rushing to the kitchen. A pot was on fire, the flames dangerously close to the curtains. He yanked it off the stove and doused the fire.
Ellen staggered out of her bedroom, groggy. “What’s with all the yelling?” she demanded.
“I just saved the apartment from burning down!” Ben said, coughing from the smoke.
Ellen yawned. “Oh. Well, open the windows.” She barely acknowledged what had happened before retreating to her room, where Ben spotted a pair of unfamiliar men’s shoes by the bed.
That night, he finally told her about his job. “I got a job as a lifeguard, Mom,” he said with hope.
“How much does it pay?” she asked with a smirk.
“Not much, but it’s a start.”
“We need money, Ben,” she said flatly, before heading back to her room. “And make dinner. I’m not feeling well.”
Ben felt the sting of rejection once again. But he pushed forward, determined to build a life of his own.
Years passed, and Ben worked his way up in the business world. He had cut ties with Ellen after she kicked him out at eighteen, choosing her new husband over her son. He had struggled, but with the help of Brian—a businessman whose daughter Ben had once saved at the pool—he built himself into a success.
He had long buried the pain of his past. Until now.
Ben pulled up to the bridge Jane had mentioned, and his heart ached at the sight before him. His mother sat on a torn blanket, her hair gray and unkempt, her clothes ragged. She looked weak, frail, like a ghost of the woman he had known.
She looked up and gasped. “Oh, my son!” she whispered, tears welling in her eyes.
Ben hesitated before taking off his suit jacket and draping it over her shoulders. “What happened, Mom?”
Ellen sobbed. “Your brother got sick. I sold everything to pay for his treatments, but it wasn’t enough. I had nowhere to go.” She looked up at him with pleading eyes. “I know I failed you, Ben. I know I was a terrible mother. But please, don’t let me die out here.”
Ben clenched his jaw, his emotions warring within him.
Then, something fell out of the jacket he had given her. A small note from his wife. His hands trembled as he read it.
“Is something wrong?” Ellen asked, concerned.
Ben took a deep breath and exhaled. “You’re going to be a grandmother,” he said softly.
Ellen gasped. “What? Oh, Ben!” She burst into fresh tears and hugged him tightly.
That night, Ben checked his mother into a hotel, ensured she had food and care, and got the best doctor for his brother. Though their wounds would take time to heal, he chose mercy over resentment.
And as he held his wife’s note in his hand, he made another vow—to be the father he never had and to break the cycle of pain.
What can we learn from this story?
Show mercy. Ben had every reason to turn his back on his mother, but he chose to end the cycle of pain by showing kindness instead.
Learn to forgive. Forgiveness isn’t easy, but it is necessary for healing. Ben took the first step toward repairing his relationship with his mother, even though it would take time.
Break the cycle. Our past doesn’t have to define us. Ben made sure to build a better future, not just for himself but for the next generation.