I was running late. I quickly did my hair and makeup.
A woman applying lipstick | Source: Pexels
As I checked the time, I felt a wave of panic. Emily’s birthday party was downtown, and I was still in my apartment.
I needed to hurry. I quickly grabbed my phone and called an Uber.
A person holding a mobile | Source: Pexels
The driver’s name was Ethan, and he would be here in five minutes. I decided to pay cash, hoping it might make the trip faster.
Rushing to my bedroom, I grabbed my purse and checked my appearance in the mirror.
A woman standing in front of the mirror | Source: Pexels
My dress was a stunning green, perfect for a party. I made sure Mom’s watch, a delicate silver piece, matched my outfit.
It had always been my lucky charm, and I wanted everything to be perfect tonight.
A person’s wrist with a watch | Source: Unsplash
As I put on my shoes, I heard the notification on my phone. Ethan was almost here.
My heart pounded as I grabbed my jacket and ran to the door.
A coat hanger | Source: Pexels
I paused for a moment, taking a deep breath to calm myself. Then, I stepped out into the hallway, locking my apartment behind me.
The cool air of the evening hit my face as I hurried down the stairs.
A person wearing heels and standing on the stairs | Source: Unsplash
I could see the Uber parked outside, a sleek black car with Ethan waiting inside.
He looked up and gave me a nod as I approached.
A cab driver | Source: Pexels
“Are you Harper?” he asked, rolling down the window.
“Yes, that’s me. Thanks for waiting,” I replied, trying to catch my breath.
“No problem. Hop in,” he said with a friendly smile.
A man looking out the car window | Source: Pexels
I got into the car, and he started driving. I felt a little more relaxed now that I was on my way.
Ethan seemed nice, and I hoped we wouldn’t hit too much traffic.
“So, where are you headed tonight?” Ethan asked, glancing at me through the rearview mirror.
A man driving a car | Source: Pexels
“It’s my friend’s birthday party. I’m already late,” I said, trying to sound less frantic.
“Don’t worry, we’ll get you there as quickly as we can,” he reassured me.
An automobile on the road at night | Source: Pexels
I appreciated his calm demeanor.
As we drove through the city streets, I kept an eye on the time. I just hoped I wouldn’t miss too much of the celebration.
Emily had been planning this party for weeks, and I didn’t want to disappoint her. I pulled out my phone.
A woman checking her phone | Source: Pexels
The city lights blurred past as we drove.
I checked my phone to see if there were any updates from Emily. Nothing yet.
I looked out the window.
City lights and car window | Source: Freepik
The quiet hum of the car engine and the occasional sound of the vehicles on the road were the only noises.
I glanced at Ethan, who was focused on the road.
A man driving | Source: Pexels
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, we turned onto the street where the party was happening.
I could see the bright lights and hear the faint sound of music as we got closer. Ethan slowed down and pulled up to the curb.
A cozy outdoor setting | Source: Pexels
“We’re here,” he said, turning to look at me.
“Thanks,” I replied, reaching for my purse.
He paused for a moment, looking at me thoughtfully. “You know, you look just like the girl I dated in college…” he said with a hint of nostalgia in his voice.
A mature taxi driver | Source: Pexels
I smiled awkwardly. “Really? That’s interesting,” I said, trying to be polite.
I started searching for my wallet, feeling a bit flustered. I could sense Ethan’s eyes on me, and it made me a little uncomfortable. I finally found my wallet and pulled out some cash.
A person pulling out cash from their wallet | Source: Unsplash
As I handed the bill to Ethan, he grabbed it tightly, staring at my wrist in a strange way. My heart skipped a beat, and I felt a wave of panic.
Was he going to rob me? His grip on the bill was firm, his eyes wide, and he had an intense look that made me nervous.
A woman passing money to taxi driver | Source: Pexels
Just as I was about to pull my hand back, Ethan spoke up, his voice shaky. “Oh gosh, I thought I would never see it again. Is your mom’s name Janet Wilkerson by any chance?” he gasped.
I froze. How did he know Mom’s name?
Still in shock, I nodded slowly. “Yes, Janet Wilkerson is my mom. How do you know her?”
A shocked woman | Source: Midjourney
Ethan let out a breath, clearly relieved. “This watch,” he said, pointing at it. “I gave it to Janet when we were in college. We dated for a while, and I thought I had lost it forever.”
I stared at him, my mind struggling to process his words. “You gave this watch to my mom?”
A woman’s wrist with a watch on it | Source: Unsplash
Ethan nodded with a serious expression on his face. “Yeah, I did. But there’s more to the story, Harper.”
I looked at him, curiosity and a bit of dread churning in my stomach. “What do you mean?”
A man folding his arms and standing in front of a car | Source: Pexels
He sighed, gathering his thoughts. “Your mom, Janet, and I met in college. She was low on money and used to steal from people in pubs to get by. That watch you’re wearing was stolen from me the day we first met… I later found out Janet had it, and I asked her to keep it.”
I gasped, my eyes widening. “She stole it from you?”
A young woman with her mouth open in shock | Source: Midjourney
Ethan nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Yes, but despite that, I found her charming. She had this way about her, you know? I found her little tricks adorable. We started dating soon after. I thought I could help her, maybe change her ways.”
I shook my head, feeling a blend of confusion and disbelief. “I can’t believe it. She never told me any of this.”
Grayscale image of a couple | Source: Unsplash
“She wouldn’t,” Ethan said softly. “Eventually, she took all my cash and ran away with another man. And that man turned out to be your father.”
I felt a lump in my throat as I processed his words. “She ran away with my dad?”
A sad woman | Source: Midjourney
Ethan nodded again. “Yes. I was heartbroken and angry, but over the years, I realized there was no point in holding on to that anger. I moved on with my life. But seeing that watch tonight, I felt like you deserved to know the truth about your mom’s past.”
I looked down at the watch on my wrist.
A man standing beside the taxi | Source: Pexels
It had always felt like a link to my mom, but now it felt like a burden of secrets and lies.
“I don’t know what to say,” I whispered, feeling tears prick at my eyes.
A woman covering her face with her palms | Source: Unsplash
Ethan reached out, his voice gentle. “It’s been so long, Harper. There’s no point in holding onto the past. I just wanted you to know the truth. Your mom wasn’t perfect, but she must have loved you very much to pass this watch down to you.”
I nodded, feeling a combination of gratitude and sadness. “Thank you, Ethan. For telling me.”
A woman in a car | Source: Unsplash
He smiled softly. “You’re welcome. Take care of yourself, Harper.”
As I walked towards Emily’s party, my mind raced with Ethan’s revelation. I knew I couldn’t enjoy the party with what I’d just discovered. Instead, I decided to head back to my apartment. I needed to talk to Mom and get to the bottom of this.
A woman on the street at night | Source: Unsplash
At home, I took a deep breath and called my mom. She answered on the second ring, her voice cheerful as usual.
“Hi, sweetheart! How’s the party?” she asked.
“Mom,” I said, my voice trembling. “We need to talk. Something happened tonight.”
A woman on call at home | Source: Pexels
“What is it, Harper? Is everything okay?”
I took another deep breath, trying to steady myself. “I met someone tonight who told me a lot about you. A man named Ethan Ross. He said you dated in college.”
“Ethan Ross… I haven’t heard that name in years.”
An older woman on phone call | Source: Pexels
“He told me you stole a watch from him,” I continued, my voice growing stronger. “And that you ran away with Dad after taking all his money. Is that true?”
There was a long pause. I could almost hear her heavy sigh through the phone. “Harper,” she began, “I never wanted you to know about that part of my life. I was young and desperate back then. I did things I’m not proud of.”
A senior woman with serious expression on phone call | Source: Pexels
I felt a surge of anger mixed with sadness. “Why didn’t you ever tell me? Why did you keep this from me?”
“I was trying to protect you,” she said softly. “I didn’t want you to see that side of me. I’ve spent my whole life trying to be a better person, trying to leave that past behind.”
A woman holding a cap and talking on phone | Source: Pexels
“Ethan wanted me to know the truth. He said there’s no point in holding onto the past, but I feel so betrayed, Mom!”
“I’m so sorry, Harper,” she whispered. “I never meant to hurt you. I was just trying to survive back then, and I made some terrible choices.”
Disappointed woman on call | Source: Pexels
I felt tears streaming down my face. “I don’t know what to think, Mom. I’ll drop the watch at your place. I don’t want to see it again.”
“Harper, please—” she started, but I cut her off.
“No, Mom. I need time to process this,” I said firmly. “I’ll talk to you later.”
A stern-looking woman on her phone | Source: Pexels
I hung up, my heart heavy with conflicting emotions. I took off the watch and placed it on the table, staring at it for a moment. I needed to figure out how to move forward, but for now, I just needed some space.
I curled up on the couch, feeling exhausted. It had been a night full of unexpected revelations, and I wasn’t sure what to do next. All I knew was that things would never be the same again.
A frustrated woman | Source: Unsplash
What should I do next?
If you enjoyed this story, here’s another one: Nancy’s life is turned upside down at her husband’s funeral when she encounters an older woman holding a baby. The woman claims the child she is carrying is Nancy’s late husband’s. Is she lying? Or do more shocking revelations await Nancy?
A baby | Source: Unsplash
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
