Anne had been looking forward to a peaceful evening at home with her husband, Edward.
They had met in college, and though Anne had fallen for him quickly, her father Chris hadn’t been as enthusiastic. Years of building the Harrison Group and amassing wealth had made him deeply skeptical of people’s motives—and truthfully, that mistrust had started long before. It began the night Anne’s mother, Fiona, walked out and never came back.
Anne remembered that night clearly. She had been five years old, hiding behind the living room curtains as her parents fought, louder than usual. And then, without warning, Fiona slammed the door and disappeared. At the time, Chris had been juggling three jobs just to make ends meet. It would be years before he started his company and became the man he was now.
Eventually, Chris came around to Edward. He appreciated that Edward had declined a job at Harrison Group, choosing instead to pursue his own path. Chris respected that kind of independence. And while Anne did work at the company, she’d earned her place—not just as the boss’s daughter, but as a dedicated employee.
That night, Anne was simply excited to cook dinner and talk to Edward about her day—until she noticed a small sticky note on the front door.
Please call me. Love, Mom.
A phone number followed.
Anne froze. Her mother hadn’t reached out in decades. Why now? Did she want something—money, perhaps? Anne knew she wouldn’t find peace unless she confronted the past. So she picked up the phone.
“Hello, darling!” Fiona beamed as Anne walked into the restaurant.
Anne had agreed to meet her the next day, nerves swirling in her stomach. She barely recognized the woman who had given birth to her.
“Hi… Mom,” she replied stiffly.
“If you’re not comfortable calling me that yet, that’s alright,” Fiona offered gently. “Call me Fiona for now.”
She gestured for Anne to sit and added, “Thank you for meeting me. I’ve been wanting to talk for so long.”
“Let’s cut to the point, Fiona,” Anne said, her voice firm. “The last time I saw you, I was five. Why are you here now? What do you want?”
“I want to tell you the truth,” Fiona said, folding her hands. “It was all your father’s fault.”
Fiona claimed she had tried to reconnect over the years, but Chris had shut her out, demanding she stay away from Anne. She admitted she understood his anger—Anne had been hurt when she left—but insisted she’d never stopped trying.
“You had years to find me,” Anne said, narrowing her eyes. “Why now? Do you need money?”
“No! Not at all,” Fiona said quickly. “I actually have a wealthy husband now. I’m buying lunch today to show you I don’t want anything—except a relationship.”
Anne hesitated, then nodded. “Alright. Tell me about yourself.”
They spent hours talking. Fiona ordered lavishly—lobster, fine wine, and an endless stream of appetizers. Anne couldn’t deny it: she didn’t seem to be after money. Maybe, just maybe, she was sincere.
But later that evening, Anne’s emotions churned. Her mother’s story didn’t sit right with her. If her father really had kept Fiona away… hadn’t she been an adult for years now? Why hadn’t Fiona reached out sooner?
Instead of going home, Anne drove straight to her father’s house.
“How could you keep her away from me all this time?” she demanded, her voice rising. “She said she wanted to fix things—and you refused! That wasn’t your choice to make!”
Chris didn’t flinch. “She’s lying, Anne.”
“No. You’re lying!”
Chris exhaled deeply and motioned toward his office. “Come with me. I didn’t want to show you this, but maybe you’re ready now.”
He pulled up a folder on his computer and clicked on a video. Anne leaned in as the screen lit up.
The footage was from years ago—Anne still a teenager. Fiona stood in their living room, screaming at Chris. She threatened court, demanded to see Anne, then accepted a wad of cash from Chris and smiled smugly before walking out.
More videos followed. Over and over, the same routine. Demands. Threats. Money exchanged.
“My lawyer told me to start recording,” Chris explained. “I didn’t know if she’d keep coming back.”
Anne’s throat tightened. “But what if she’s changed? She didn’t ask me for anything. She said she’s married now—rich.”
Chris sighed. “Watch this last one. It’s from yesterday.”
There was Fiona, in the same clothes she’d worn to lunch, again asking for money.
“But why give it to her? I’m not a child anymore—she can’t take me away,” Anne whispered through tears.
Chris looked at her, eyes full of emotion. “I wanted to protect you. She’s toxic. I didn’t want her in your life or near Edward.”
Anne finally understood. He had done what he thought was best.
“No, Dad. This ends now. I’ll handle it.”
“Darling! I’m so glad you called,” Fiona gushed as they met again. “Have you thought about what I said? Are you ready to forgive me?”
“Of course, Mom,” Anne said sweetly. “And this lunch is on me today. Order whatever you like.”
Fiona lit up like a Christmas tree, ordering the most extravagant items on the menu—lobster, caviar, wine, desserts. She clearly assumed Anne’s job at Harrison Group gave her deep pockets.
Two hours later, Fiona excused herself to the restroom. “Order the check while I’m gone, honey! We’ll go do something fun after.”
Anne nodded. She waved the waiter over, paid for nothing, and left a post-it note on the check.
She’ll take care of it. She’s in the restroom.
And on top of that note, she stuck another one.
Thanks for lunch, you leech. Enjoy paying the bill.
Anne walked out without a backward glance.
She never saw Fiona again, though word spread that a woman had caused a massive scene after being unable to pay her tab.
Moral of the Story:
Some people aren’t meant to be parents. Fiona abandoned her child and returned only when it suited her. True intentions always come to light.
Also: Never underestimate the power of receipts. In situations of deceit or manipulation, proof is your best defense.