MY BILLIONAIRE GRANDMOTHER SAW MY CHILD AND I IN LINE AT THE HOMELESS SHELTER. SHE WAS WONDERING, “WHY AREN’T YOU LIVING IN THE HAWTHORNE STREET MANSION I INHERITED?” I WAS SHOCKED: “WHAT HOUSE?” THREE DAYS LATER, WE ARRIVED AT MY PARENTS’ PARTY AND THEY WERE PALETTE WITH SHOCK.

I’m Lisa. I’m hugging my six-year-old daughter Mia. We were shivering in the freezing cold as we lined up outside the St. Jude Shelter for free soup. We had nowhere to go. Our landlord had kicked us out of a small room because I couldn’t pay the rent since I lost my job.

For all the world to know, my parents had rejected me because they thought I was “rebellious” and had gotten pregnant early. The truth was, they had kicked me out because they didn’t want to support me. They said they “didn’t” have any money.

While we were waiting for the soup, a shiny black Rolls Royce pulled up in front of the shelter. An old woman wrapped in a fur coat, wearing large pearls, and with attendants offering advice got out. She was handing out a large donation.

She looked in our direction. Her eyes widened as if she had seen a ghost.

“LISA? GRANDFATHER?!” she shouted.

Grandma Consuelo. My billionaire grandmother who lives in Europe. We haven’t seen each other in ten years because my parents cut off our communication.

She ran towards us, ignoring the mud sticking to her expensive shoes.

“My God! Lisa! Mia!” Grandma cried as she hugged us tightly. Her scent was rich, very different from the street smell we were used to. “What are you doing here? Why are you so dirty? Why are you standing in line for food?”

“Grandma… we have no place to live…” I sobbed, unable to believe she was in front of me. “We are so hungry…”

Grandma frowned. “What, no place to live? Where is the house on Hawthorne Street? That big Victorian House I bought for you on your 18th birthday as my inheritance? Isn’t that where you live?”

I STOPPED.

“M-Mum? What house? I don’t know anything about that. Mama and Papa said that you don’t give me any money anymore so I have to stand on my own two feet. They don’t have a budget for me.”

Suddenly, Grandma Consuelo’s face DARKened. The sadness in her eyes was replaced by FIRE OF ANGER.

“Did they say that?” Grandma whispered, her voice shaking. “I’ve been sending you an allowance of $5,000 a month for ten years. And the house in Hawthorne… your dad said in emails, you live there and you’re happy that’s why you don’t call me anymore because you’re busy with your family.”

That’s when I found out everything. My own parents stole the life that was supposed to be mine. While my son and I were starving, they were enjoying the money that was meant for us.

“Come with me,” Grandma ordered her driver. “We’ll get it all back. Right now.”

THREE DAYS PASSED…

The family Grand Reunion was held at my parents’ mansion. All the relatives, business partners, and socialite friends were there.

Mom and Dad were overjoyed. They were showing off their new vacation house in Tagaytay and their new luxury cars.

“You’re so lucky, Mare!” said one of Mama’s friends. “You’re such a good business owner! How do you do that?”

“Of course,” Mama laughed as she drank champagne. “You have to work hard and be wise with money.”

Suddenly, the big door of the mansion OPENED loudly.

Grandma Consuelo entered. Everyone fell silent and bowed in respect to the Matriarch of the family.

But they were surprised to see who was behind Grandma.

Me. Lisa.

I was no longer the unkempt girl in the shelter. I was groomed, had makeup on, and was wearing a beautiful Red Designer Gown that cost thousands. I was holding Mia’s hand, who looked like a princess in her new dress.

Mama and Papa turned pale. It was like they had seen a ghost.

Papa dropped the wine glass he was holding. BROKEN!

“Ma… Mama Consuelo…” Papa stammered out. “B-Why is Lisa with you? Didn’t I tell you, she’s abroad? What’s she doing here?”

Grandma walked to the center of the living room. She took the microphone from the band so everyone could hear.

“Yes, Ramon,” Grandma said seriously. Her voice was cold and scary. “You said she was abroad. You said she was happy. But where did I see her? I saw my grandson and great-grandson BEGGING for soup at the Shelter.”

The guests gasped. They whispered.

“M-Mom! Don’t come here! It’s embarrassing! Let’s talk about it inside!” Mama pleaded, sweating profusely and shaking.

“NO!” Grandma shouted. “Everyone should hear how SHAMELESS you are to your own child!”

Grandma pulled out documents and bank records.

“The house on Hawthorne Street that I left to Lisa? I found out that you are renting it out and pocketing the 150,000 pesos rent every month! While your son has nothing to eat and sleeps on the street?!”

“The allowance I have been sending him for ten years? You also stole it for your luxuries!”

Grandma came to me and put her arm around me.

“Did you think I would let this go? I talked to my lawyer this morning. The case against you is ready.”

Grandma turned to Papa.

“Ramon, this mansion that you live in and brag about? It is named after me. I only let you live here because I thought you were good parents. But I was wrong.”

“Because you robbed my grandson and abandoned them…”

Grandma threw the Eviction Notice in Papa’s face.

“GET OUT OF MY HOUSE. NOW. You’re not taking anything with you!”

“Mom! Where are we going?!” Mama cried, kneeling in front of Grandma. “We have no home! We’re going to lose everything!”

I looked at them. I felt no pity. I had run out of tears when my son was hungry.

“You can go to the St. Jude Shelter,” I said calmly. “There’s free soup there every night. Just get in line early.”

“GUARDS!” Grandma ordered. “Let these thieves out! Lock the gate!”

The security guards dragged Mama and Papa out of the mansion as all the guests watched, disgusted by them. They were so embarrassed. They had nothing but the clothes they were wearing.

Grandma and Mia were left inside. Grandma hugged me tightly.

“Starting now, Lisa,” she whispered. “You and Mia will live in Hawthorne House. And you will never go hungry again. I am giving you back what is rightfully yours.”

That day, I regained the life that was stolen from me. And my greedy parents learned their lesson the hard way—by experiencing the hardship and hunger they had inflicted on their own child.