A woman told her daughter that her father had passed away – years later, the girl uncovered a heartbreaking truth

When Cassie returns from a getaway with her husband and son, she walks into her home to see a cryptic message from her mother — telling her to watch a video. As Cassie presses play, her entire life changes. In the end, she’s left wondering which of her parents are worthy of forgiveness.

In my eyes, my father could do no wrong. He was everything I needed him to be and more. He was a businessman who was always traveling, but he ensured that he made enough time for me.

“You’re my little girl, Cassie,” he would say, bopping my nose with his index finger. “You’re the most special.”

My parents always went out of their way for me — ensuring that despite their busy schedules, we would have family dinner almost every night.

It was the one thing that kept me grounded while both of my friends from school were in the middle of their parents’ messy divorces.

“I think it’s trendy now,” I told my mother as she cut slices of banana bread for me after school one day.

“Cas, you cannot think that divorce is trendy,” she laughed. “It’s devastating and traumatic, and very few families actually keep things civil.”

“I’m just saying that it’s trendy because a lot of kids live between two homes,” I explained to her. “It’s one of those things we were talking about in class today.”

I was fourteen, and the world seemed more dramatic than it should have been.

But what I didn’t know was that my words seemed to be an incantation that settled over our home.

A few weeks after that conversation, my father went away on a business trip. A few hours after he had been gone, there was news of his passing.

“How?” I asked. “How did he die?”

“I don’t know what to tell you, Cassie,” she replied. “I’m just saying what the paramedics told me.”

“So what will we do next?” I asked.

“What do you mean?” she asked, puzzled by the question.

“For the funeral?” I asked. “Aren’t we going to have one?”

“I don’t think so,” my mother replied. “Dad wanted to be cremated and have his ashes spread at the beach. Let’s do that instead.”

I couldn’t fathom why my mother would want to do that — but at the end of the day, she knew my father best. And the longer I thought about it, the more beautiful and sentimental a private ceremony at the beach felt.

“Don’t be difficult, Cassie,” my mother said when she saw me thinking about my next move.

“I’m not,” I said. “Really. I was just thinking about it. It’s a great idea, Mom.”

I could have fought her for a send-off that I thought would have been more appropriate. But what use would it have been? At the end of the day, we had both lost him.

The months following the beach ceremony felt weighted, and I knew that I was becoming deeply depressed — my father had been our world. And his absence was felt more than anything.

But, with time, I learned to live with it.

Last week, I decided to book a cabin in the woods for a little family vacation. My son was adamant that camping was the new best thing, and I knew that despite the wonders of nature, I wasn’t going to camp in a tent without a bathroom in sight.

Instead, I thought that a cabin would be the best option — my husband, Derek, could camp outside with Drew, our son, if he insisted on it.

We had a dog, therefore, I asked my mother to house-sit for the week so that we could be at peace, knowing that Romeo was taken care of.

A week away was more than enough to restore my mind — and eventually, when we went back home, I was surprised to see that my mother wasn’t there. In fact, it looked like she had never been there.

But there, on the coffee table, was a note beneath the TV remote.

Watch this, Cassie. I’m sorry. — Mom

I didn’t know what was in store for me, but while Derek got Drew into the bath, I put the TV on and began to watch whatever my mother had planned.

The TV flickered to life, and there he was, my father, his voice a long-lost melody, his image aged but still, unmistakably him.

Tears streamed down my face as the realization that he was still alive enveloped me in a mix of joy and disbelief.

The video message was nothing short of unpredictable.

My dear Cassie, I’m still here, alive. I’m so sorry for the pain that you must have felt from my loss. But it was needed. I needed to be removed from your life because of the sordid truth of my past. Your mother knows everything, please ask her for the truth.

My health is on a steady decline, and I would love to see you and explain it all.

Love you, Dad.

Without telling Derek or Drew anything, I grabbed the car keys and ran out. I needed my mother to explain.

“So, I bet you’ve got questions for me,” she said, opening the door.

“Explain it all,” I said.

“Cassie, it’s heavy. You look tired from your trip; are you sure you want to do this now?” she asked.

I nodded. It was now or never. I needed to know why my father faked his own death to get out of our lives.

My mother made us some tea and took out some shortbread.

“Darling,” she said. “I’ll understand if you don’t forgive me, but there’s so much about that time that I need to tell you.”

I sipped my tea, trying to figure out what my mother was about to tell me.

“I remember that you were telling me about your friend’s parents getting divorced. Do you remember that?” she asked.

I nodded. Of course, I did. It was the strangest thing, but it was so common when I was in school.

“Well, your father and I were not legally married. So when I told him about our conversation regarding divorce, he was actually relieved. Without being married, there would be no divorce.”

“What’s the big deal?” I asked.

“Then I found out that the real reason that we didn’t get married was because your father was already married to another woman.”

“What?” I exclaimed, almost dropping my cup. “To who?”

“To a woman in the town where he always had his business trips.”

“You didn’t know?” I asked, unable to believe her words.

“Of course not!” she exclaimed. “But when I pressed him about it, he decided to choose that family over us. So, I told him that the story was going to be his death.”

We were both silent for a moment.

Turns out that my mother told him that she would never tell me the truth, not when he was my favorite person. She couldn’t burst my bubble in that way. And she refused to let him see me one more time.

“It was better for you to think that it was an accident,” my mother said. “It just made more sense.”

Now, I understood why we didn’t have a funeral for him.

“What did we throw into the sea, then?” I asked.

“Dust,” she replied with a straight face.

My mother had spoken to him twice over the years. The second time being a day ago.

During their meeting, my father confessed his imminent death due to illness and requested that she give me the recording. My mother, torn by guilt and love, chose to write me the note and have the recording all set for me to watch.

“I would have taken the secret to my grave,” she said. “But knowing that he was ill and wanted to see you just struck something in me.”

Compelled by a need to confront the reality of my father’s existence, I traveled to the state where he lived with his other family.

I spent a few weeks with my father — going in and out of hospitals, watching him take an array of different medication, and growing weaker by the day.

Sitting at his bedside, I listened to his stories, the regrets, the moments of joy, and the love he had for all his children — myself included.

When things started to go downhill, I asked Derek to fly over with Drew. It was going to be a fleeting moment, but at least I’d know that my son had met my father.

A few days later, my father died.

Even now, I don’t know if I’ve forgiven him for the lie of having a double life. I just know that when it came to it in the end — I wanted to spend time with him. I had shoved my feelings aside, hoping for memories that I could figure out later.

But now that the dust has settled, I’m trying to figure out if I should forgive my mother for lying.

What would you do?

Every Good (And Bad) Deal At Aldi

Aldi, the renowned German budget-friendly grocery store, has become a household name for shoppers seeking both quality and affordability. Boasting a diverse range of products, Aldi has carved a niche for itself in the fiercely competitive grocery market. However, like any supermarket, not all deals are created equal. To guide you through the aisles, we’ve meticulously curated a comprehensive list of the best and worst deals at Aldi. Whether you’re a regular Aldi shopper or a curious newcomer, this guide will empower you to make informed choices during your next grocery haul.

In this exploration of Aldi’s offerings, we delve into the best deals across various categories, from fresh produce and meat to coffee, dairy, and household essentials. Discover why Aldi stands out as a haven for budget-friendly shoppers seeking top-notch items. On the flip side, we also uncover the areas where Aldi might not be the most economical choice, shedding light on products such as spices, specialty items, and organic produce. By dissecting the best and worst deals, this article equips readers with the knowledge needed to navigate Aldi’s aisles intelligently, ensuring both quality and savings in every shopping endeavor. So, whether you’re eyeing the fresh produce section or contemplating the purchase of a specialty item, let this guide be your companion in deciphering the unparalleled world of deals at Aldi.

The Best Deals:

  1. Fresh Produce: Aldi’s produce section offers high-quality fruits and vegetables at unbeatable prices.
  2. Meat: Score top-quality meat cuts at significantly lower prices compared to other grocery stores.
  3. Dairy: Aldi’s dairy section provides fresh cheese, milk, yogurt, and butter at affordable prices.
  4. Eggs: Unbeatable prices make Aldi the perfect place for all your egg needs.
  5. Coffee: Various coffee blends are available at affordable prices for coffee lovers.
  6. Bread: The bakery section offers freshly baked bread at unbeatable prices.
  7. Frozen Foods: From pizzas to vegetables, Aldi’s frozen items often go on sale.
  8. Cereal: Numerous cereal brands are sold at lower rates than competitors.
  9. Chocolate: Premium chocolates are available at a fraction of the cost at other grocery stores.
  10. Wine: Aldi is an excellent option for wine lovers on a budget.
  11. Household Essentials: Tissues, toilet paper, and cleaning supplies are sold at lower rates than competitors.
  12. Almond Butter: Aldi’s private-label almond butter is tasty and affordable.
  13. Chips: Low-cost chips are perfect for a movie night snack.
  14. Chocolate Chips: Quality chocolate chips at favorable prices.
  15. Baby Wipes: Aldi offers great prices for a large quantity of baby wipes.
  16. Canned Beans: Aldi offers canned beans at prices comparable to dry beans.
  17. Toilet Paper: Sustainable options for toilet paper at a great price.
  18. Snack Bars: A variety of affordable granola and protein bars.
  19. Snack Mix: A fantastic on-the-go snack mix.
  20. Salad Kits: Fresh and inexpensive salad kits for a healthy option.

The Worst Deals:

  1. Spices: Aldi’s spices can be more expensive than bulk purchases elsewhere.
  2. Baking Ingredients: Prices of baking ingredients may vary compared to regular supermarkets.
  3. Organic Produce: Aldi’s organic produce is often more expensive than other grocery chains.
  4. Condiments: Prices of condiments can vary and may end up more expensive.
  5. Specialty Items: For high-end, specialty items, other grocery stores might be a better option.
  6. Supplements: Aldi’s supplement prices may be comparable or more expensive than other retailers.
  7. Candles: Aldi’s candle prices might not be truly affordable compared to online retailers.
  8. Beverages: While extensive, Aldi’s beverage choices might not be the optimal choice compared to larger retailers.
  9. Gluten-Free Bread: Prices for gluten-free bread can be higher than other available options.
  10. Snack-Size Fruit: Aldi’s snack-size fruit packages can be more expensive than loose fruit.
  11. Chocolate-Covered Nuts: While great, Aldi’s chocolate-covered nuts might not be a compatible bargain compared to bulk stores.
  12. Pre-Made Meals: Aldi’s pre-made meals can be more expensive than purchasing fresh ingredients elsewhere.
  13. Oats: Aldi’s oat prices can be higher than at local grocery stores or wholesale outlets.
  14. Laundry Detergent: Prices for laundry detergent at Aldi may be a bit more expensive than other retailers.
  15. Pet Food: Aldi’s pet food prices may not be the cheapest compared to specialty pet stores.
  16. Nuts: Aldi’s bulk prices for nuts may be more expensive than other wholesale stores.
  17. Tissues: While affordable, Aldi’s tissue may not be the best option compared to regular grocery stores.
  18. Freezer Bags: Aldi’s freezer bags can be more expensive than bulk options from other retailers.
  19. Energy Drinks: Prices for energy drinks at Aldi may be higher than those at other grocery chain stores.
  20. Milk: While Aldi’s milk may be affordable, prices can vary by location, so it’s worth checking other stores in your area.

Always remember to check your options and compare prices before purchasing to ensure you’re getting the best deals for your budget.

Related Posts

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*