After his mother’s death, a boy learns her life savings worth $120,000 is missing and has no idea where it went until he checks his father’s phone one day.
A mother’s love is truly unmatched. Whether she’s caring for us in every way or offering her unwavering support during our hardest moments, she’s always there—no matter what.
And let’s not forget, moms have an incredible ability to understand us, even when we haven’t uttered a word. They always give their all for us. That’s exactly why we’re excited to share this story with you today.
40-year-old Jade Wright embodied everything we’ve just mentioned—and then some. By day, she was a dedicated, hardworking employee; by night, she seamlessly balanced housework and family duties like a pro, all while proudly holding the role of the family’s primary breadwinner.
Jade’s husband, Arthur, had once worked in a factory, but after a severe leg injury left him confined to a wheelchair, he was unable to work. With their son Caleb to care for and a life to provide, Jade encouraged Arthur to take any job that came his way, but he stubbornly refused.
“I am a proud man!” Arthur declared. “If they offer me a low-paying job just because I’m disabled, I WILL NEVER TAKE IT! I refuse to work from a wheelchair!”
Jade was at a loss for words after Arthur’s outburst. She accepted their reality and began searching for work. After months of effort, she landed a job as a secretary for the owner of a small IT company. With determination, she started saving a portion of her monthly salary, setting aside funds for Caleb’s future education.
Saving money wasn’t easy for Jade. She had to tighten her belt, cutting back on everything she could. She rarely bought anything for herself and only spent what was absolutely necessary to get by. Their life was modest, but Jade was determined—she made sure that after Caleb graduated high school, he would have enough funds to pursue his college dreams without any financial barriers.
One day, Jade sat down with Caleb and said, “You see, Caleb, Mom and Dad might not be able to give you a lavish life, but we will always support your education so you can have a bright future. That’s a promise—from my side, at least.”
Years passed, and Jade’s savings steadily grew. After 11 years of hard work and sacrifice, her fund had reached \$120,000. By then, Caleb was just months away from graduating high school, with his future looking brighter than ever.
“What rubbish!” Arthur exclaimed. “I’ve told you, I’ve never been married!”
Jade had eagerly anticipated the day her son would enroll in the university of his choice, but fate had other plans. One fateful night, she was involved in a terrible crash on her way home and passed away before she could even make it to the hospital. Both Caleb and Arthur were left to make preparations for her funeral, saying their final goodbyes to the woman who had sacrificed so much for them.
Losing his mom was an unbearable blow to Caleb, but in his heart, he made a promise to her during his prayers: he would make her proud. Determined to honor her sacrifices, Caleb poured his heart into his studies. After graduating high school, he gave it his all, eventually earning a spot at a prestigious university, just as his mother had hoped.
“I did it, Mom! I did it!” Caleb cried, his voice filled with emotion as he checked the results and saw that he had made it into the university.
That day, Caleb decided to check Jade’s fund, knowing he would need money to cover his tuition. The family had always known that Jade kept all her savings in a cabinet drawer, rather than in a bank, so Caleb knew exactly where to look.
“Dad! Can I—” Caleb began, but he hesitated, unsure of how to ask. His voice trembled as he thought about the money his mother had saved, and the promise he had made to her.
When Caleb opened the bedroom door, he found that his dad wasn’t home. Ever since Jade’s death, Arthur had spent less time at home, often disappearing for days at a time to visit his friends. Since he was still in a wheelchair, his friends would often come by to pick him up. Caleb never interfered with his father’s life, believing that Arthur deserved time and space to grieve in his own way.
Caleb, in his father’s absence, decided to check the funds and let Arthur know later. But when he opened the drawer, his heart sank—there was nothing inside. The drawer was completely empty. “Where did all the money go?” Caleb whispered to himself, panic rising. “I’m sure Mom kept it here!”
In a panic, Caleb searched the entire cabinet, combing through every nook and cranny of his parents’ room, but the money was nowhere to be found. His mind raced, and he eventually concluded that Arthur must have hidden it somewhere else. Reluctantly, he decided to wait for his father to return home to get some answers.
“But I don’t know where the money is, Caleb!” his dad said, his voice filled with confusion. “Are you sure it’s not there?” He looked at Caleb, unable to understand why the drawer was empty, just as Caleb was.
“No, Dad! It’s not!” Caleb cried, his voice breaking with frustration and worry. He couldn’t understand where the money had gone, and the uncertainty was eating at him.
“I’ll check with the bank then. Maybe your mother deposited the money without telling us,” Arthur said, trying to stay calm. He then turned and left for his room, leaving Caleb standing there, still grappling with the mystery of the missing funds.
Caleb felt an unsettling sensation, but he couldn’t quite figure out why. “Why is Dad so calm when the money is missing?” he wondered to himself, a growing sense of doubt creeping in. Something didn’t feel right, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to this than his father was letting on.
The next day, while Arthur was in the bathroom, Caleb decided to check his father’s phone. Fortunately, there was no lock on it, so Caleb opened it easily. He started browsing through Arthur’s emails, but found nothing of significance. Then he turned to the text messages—and that’s when the truth revealed itself. Caleb’s eyes widened in shock as he read the messages, piecing together a story he hadn’t expected.
Caleb’s heart dropped as he read through the messages—his father had a second family. Arthur had another daughter and a girlfriend named Linda. That explained his frequent disappearances and long absences. In the messages, Arthur had been lying to Linda, telling her he worked in another state and couldn’t spend time with her. But the most shocking revelation was that he had deposited Jade’s savings into Linda’s account. Caleb could hardly believe what he was reading, the betrayal cutting deep.
Caleb quickly took screenshots of all the messages and sent them to his own number, making sure he had evidence of the betrayal. His heart raced as he noticed Linda’s address in one of the messages. Determined to get the money back that rightfully belonged to his mother, Caleb decided he would go to her. He was not going to let his father’s actions go unchecked.
***
When Linda opened the door, she looked at Caleb with a polite smile and asked, “Yes, how may I help you?” Her expression quickly shifted as she saw the determination in his eyes, sensing something was not quite right.
Caleb’s voice was steady but filled with fury as he spoke. “How does it feel to have \$120,000 in your account, Miss Linda? I must say, your boyfriend is doing an excellent job!” He shoved his phone in front of her, showing the screenshots of the messages. “You see, my mom saved that money for my future, and now it’s in your account, all because of your lies and deceit,” he continued, his voice growing colder with every word. He told her everything—how Jade had worked tirelessly to build that fund for him and how Arthur had betrayed them both.
Linda’s face drained of color as she looked at Caleb, her eyes wide with shock. “Arthur is your father? I didn’t know he had another family!” she cried, her voice trembling. “And I didn’t know your mother saved that money!” She took a step back, clearly overwhelmed by the revelation, guilt and confusion washing over her as the truth came crashing down.
“Stop pretending! I am no fool, okay?” Caleb snapped, his frustration boiling over. He wasn’t about to let Linda shift the blame or act innocent. His mother’s hard-earned money had been stolen, and he was determined to make sure she understood the gravity of what had happened.
“Caleb, I swear! Listen, your father is supposed to meet me next week…” Linda said, her voice filled with urgency. “Come over that day, and I’ll have a hidden surveillance camera set up to catch him in the act. You’ll see for yourself.”
Caleb hesitated, torn between disbelief and the growing feeling in his gut that something wasn’t right. He didn’t want to believe her, but something deep inside told him that maybe—just maybe—he should take her up on the offer. The situation had already turned so much darker than he ever imagined, and this might be the only way to get the truth.
“But if I find out you guys were in this together, I’ll report you to the cops!” Caleb warned, his voice sharp and filled with conviction. He wasn’t about to let anyone get away with what had happened, especially not if Linda and his father were both involved in the deceit. The threat was real, and he meant every word.
“Trust me! I am not lying!” Linda said firmly, her tone steady but desperate. She looked Caleb in the eye, hoping he would believe her. Despite everything, she seemed genuinely intent on helping him uncover the truth, but Caleb still couldn’t shake the doubt that lingered in his mind.
The following week, when Arthur visited Linda, she confronted him with a heavy heart. “I want a divorce,” she said, her voice resolute. “You’ve kept me in the dark, and worse, you’ve stolen your son’s money!” Her words hung in the air, and Arthur’s face turned pale as the truth she had discovered came crashing down on him. Linda had finally seen through his lies, and she wasn’t going to stay silent anymore.
“What rubbish! I told you I’ve never been married!” Arthur snapped, immediately trying to fabricate a story, his voice rising in anger. But before he could say anything else, Caleb appeared in front of him, his eyes cold and full of determination. The moment their gazes locked, Arthur’s facade began to crumble, and his true colors were exposed.
Caleb, with a steady hand, called the cops and submitted all the evidence he had gathered. The weight of the truth was undeniable. Arthur was apprehended and taken into police custody, his lies and betrayal finally catching up to him. But the consequences didn’t end there—he lost his son forever. The trust was shattered beyond repair, and Caleb knew that, no matter what, their relationship would never be the same again.
On the other hand, Caleb, after everything had unfolded, took a moment to apologize to Linda. He realized she had been truthful all along, and with time, he began to trust her. As the days passed, Linda and her daughter, Hailey, became a new kind of family for Caleb. They supported him, and Linda officially adopted Caleb, giving him the chance to build a future with people who truly cared for him. It wasn’t the family he had expected, but it was one he could rely on, and that, in the end, was all that mattered.
Arthur, on the other hand, ended up on the streets after Caleb kicked him out of the house. With nowhere else to go, he faced the consequences of his actions. Thankfully, Jade’s foresight as the family’s breadwinner paid off. The house was in her name, and she had transferred ownership to Caleb in her will. This gave Caleb not only a stable home but also a sense of security and justice, knowing his mother had set everything up for him to have a future free from his father’s betrayal.
Karma hit hard, and Arthur knew it all too well after learning his lesson the hard way. His lies, betrayal, and selfishness had cost him everything—his family, his home, and his dignity. As he faced the harsh reality of his actions, he was forced to reckon with the consequences that came from hurting those who cared for him.
What can we learn from this story?
- There’s nothing in the world quite like a mother’s love. To ensure Caleb got the best education, Jade sacrificed all her needs and saved every penny she could. Meanwhile, his second mother, Linda, saved him from his terrible father.
- Family doesn’t always mean blood. While Arthur only thought about himself and stole the money Jade had saved, Linda helped Caleb expose Arhtur’s fraud. And she became a mother to him later on after adopting him.