At just nineteen, Alex felt like a ghost in his own family. Ever since his mother passed away, his father had remarried a woman named Karen, who brought along her two spoiled daughters and a carefully curated collection of fake affection. Their house might’ve been big, but it never felt like home to him. Karen treated him like an eyesore, always hinting that he should eat in the kitchen to avoid embarrassing her in front of her high-society friends. His father, spineless as ever, never once spoke up in his defense.
Family gatherings were just as bad. His cousins swarmed around the wealthier relatives like bees around honey, always hunting for favors and fortunes. Nobody talked to Alex—except for Maria, the family’s cook. She would slip him a big slice of chocolate cake and remind him that he mattered.
But there was one person who truly saw Alex: his grandfather. A self-made man who valued honesty over status, Grandpa never judged Alex for his thrift store jeans or messy ponytail. They’d sit on the porch drinking lemonade, talking about life, stars, and practical jokes. Grandpa had a favorite saying: “The best revenge is living well… and maybe playing a smart trick now and then.”
When Grandpa fell seriously ill and lost his sight, the vultures began circling. One by one, greedy family members started hanging around his estate more often, whispering about the contents of the massive wall safe in his bedroom. Alex, on the other hand, was the only one who visited out of love, reading to Grandpa and caring for his roses.
One day, Grandpa summoned the entire family for a final meeting. His frail voice called everyone to his bedside. When they arrived, they noticed something odd: the safe was slightly open. Alex’s heart dropped as he caught his cousins eyeing it like a pack of wolves spotting fresh meat. Karen’s daughters nudged each other, clearly plotting.
I wanted to see you all one last time,” Grandpa began. “My time is short, and since I can no longer see, I thought it fair to tell you I’ve donated all my money to charity.”
The room went silent. The disappointment on their faces was as obvious as a neon sign. His cousin Ethan’s eyes darted back to the safe. The others followed, calculating whether they could get away with taking something. After all, Grandpa was blind.
Then Grandpa added, “Before I go, I’d like to speak to each of you privately.”
The moment he finished, chaos erupted. Everyone scrambled to be first in line, elbowing each other like shoppers on Black Friday. One by one, they filed into the room, and one by one, they came out looking smug—too smug.
Alex was the last to be called in.
He entered quietly, heart heavy. He didn’t even glance at the safe. He took Grandpa’s hand and whispered, “I’m not ready to lose you.” He talked about fishing trips, starry nights, and the small but unforgettable moments they’d shared.
Then Grandpa did something that made Alex freeze. He took off his dark glasses. His eyes were clear. Sharp. Focused.
“You’re not blind?” Alex gasped.
Grandpa chuckled. “I’ve seen every single thing, Alex. Every hand reaching into that safe. Every greedy glance. They thought I couldn’t tell, but I could.”
Alex spun toward the safe and opened it—empty.
“I put ten million dollars in fake bills in there,” Grandpa said. “They took every last one. Meanwhile, the real money is in a secure vault at the bank—and it’s all yours.”
Alex stared in disbelief.
“I trust you, Alex,” Grandpa said. “You’ve always had a good heart. If you want to walk away from this mess of a family, you’ve got my full blessing.”
Within days, Grandpa’s health improved thanks to new treatment. Alex booked two first-class tickets to Bali—one for himself, and one for Grandpa, who insisted they start fresh in paradise.
When the rest of the family learned the truth, chaos broke loose. Karen threatened lawsuits, Dad demanded “his share,” and the cousins raged with colorful insults. But it was too late. The money was long gone—and so were Alex and Grandpa.
Now, from a beach chair in Bali, Alex watches Grandpa teaching local kids how to build sandcastles. The old man laughs like a man half his age, holding a coconut drink in one hand and a straw hat in the other.
“Worth all the trouble?” Alex asks, smiling.
Grandpa grins. “They’re still arguing over fake money. Meanwhile, you and I? We’re free. That, my boy, is the best revenge.”