Every man reaches a moment when he wants to settle down and have a loving family. But not Henry—he was convinced he would stay single forever, believing it was the better life for him. However, a day with his nine-year-old niece makes him realize the true reason behind his choices.
The morning light filtered through unfamiliar curtains, and I woke up to the sensation of something warm and wet on my face.
It was a dog—not mine—a small, fluffy creature with wide, eager eyes that seemed to say, You’re mine now.
It licked my cheek persistently, wagging its tail with determination. Did it want food? A walk? Who knew?
As I rubbed my eyes, the events of the previous night slowly returned. I turned my head and saw her—a girl I’d met at the club.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
She was asleep, her hair sprawled across the pillow.
This wasn’t my place. If I was here, that meant I’d accomplished what I’d set out for.
And now it was time to do what I always did: gather my things and make a quiet exit.
I slipped out of bed carefully, scanning the room. There were my pants, crumpled on the floor. My shirt hung awkwardly off a chair.
One sock sat beside my shoe, but the other… where was it? My search led me to the dog’s mat.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
There it was, claimed by the little fluffball now wagging its tail with pride.
I crouched down, whispering,
“Hey, buddy, that’s mine.” I reached for the sock, but the dog grabbed it with its teeth, growling playfully.
Just as we began our tug-of-war, a groggy voice broke the silence.“Henry? Are you up already?”
I froze. She was awake. Turning, I saw her smiling at me with sleepy eyes.
“Uh, yeah,” I stammered, “I’ve got work. Running late for a meeting.”She frowned.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“But it’s Saturday…”
“I work weekends sometimes. Important stuff, you know.”
Her smile faded, replaced by a curious tilt of her head.
“So… will I see you again?”
“Of course,” I lied smoothly. “I’ll call you.”Her brow furrowed.
“You’ll call me? Did I even give you my number?”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Uh-oh. Panic swirled in my chest.
“I thought you did. Didn’t you?”
“And how did you save my name?” she pressed.
Caught, I stammered, “By your name, obviously.”
Her gaze sharpened.
“And what’s my name?”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
I swallowed hard. Two options: admit the truth or …
“Nancy?” I guessed weakly.
Her face darkened instantly.
“Get out of here! I knew it! You’re just like the rest—ugh!”
Slippers flew in my direction as I grabbed my jacket and shoes, dodging her fury all the way out the door.
Sitting in my car, I leaned back and sighed. The rearview mirror reflected a face that looked satisfied, smug even.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
This was my life: no strings, no responsibilities, just freedom. Who needed the hassle of a family? Not me.
While others tied themselves down, I lived for the thrill—parties, work, and the kind of independence most people only dreamed about.
A loud ringtone interrupted my thoughts. I glanced at the screen and blinked. Riley? My sister hardly ever called. I hesitated before answering.
“Hello, Riley?”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Henry,” she said, her voice tight, “I need to talk to you. Got a minute?”
I frowned. “Sure. What’s going on?”
“Come over as soon as you can. I can’t explain over the phone. When can you get here?”
“Fifteen minutes. Is everything okay?”
“Just come. I’ll explain.”
I stared at the phone for a moment, then started the car. Whatever this was, it had to be serious.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Twenty minutes later, I pulled into her driveway and barely made it to the door before it swung open.
Riley stood there, arms crossed, her expression a mix of annoyance and urgency.
“You’re late!”
“By five minutes,” I retorted, stepping inside.
“Relax, Riley. You don’t have to be such a pain in the…”
“Don’t swear,” she hissed. “My daughter’s nearby.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
I followed her gaze and saw Mira, her nine-year-old, curled up on the couch with an encyclopedia.
Her tiny face was scrunched up in concentration, her finger tracing the lines of text like a mini scholar.
“As expected, you’re my last option,” Riley said with a sigh. “I need you to watch Mira today.”
“Me? Are you serious?” I asked, glancing nervously at Mira, who hadn’t looked up from her book.
“I wouldn’t ask if I had another choice,” she said, exasperated.
“I have a business dinner tonight. Either I go and close this deal, or I cancel because I can’t leave her alone. Can you help me or not?”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Fine,” I muttered. “If it’s that important.”
“Great. Food’s in the kitchen. I left money in case you need to order something, but keep it healthy. No greasy junk. And she’s not allowed outside. Got it?”
“Got it.”
With a quick goodbye, Riley was out the door, leaving me and Mira alone. I looked at her. She looked at me.
Neither of us said a word. Let the longest day of my life begin.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
The day dragged on like an endless loop of boredom.
Mira sat on the couch, clutching her encyclopedia, and occasionally glanced at me with a look that made me feel like a failing science experiment.
Her small face was calm, but her raised eyebrows screamed judgment.
I cleared my throat.
“So, uh, you like reading?” I asked, trying to break the awkward silence.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Yes, I do. Mom says books are knowledge, and I want to know a lot,” she said, her voice cool and sharp, like a character straight out of a movie about child prodigies.
I nodded. “Cool, cool… What’s your favorite subject in school?”
Mira sighed, looking at me as if I’d just asked the world’s most boring question.
“That’s such an unoriginal question, but I’ll answer anyway. I like biology because it has lots of animals, and I love learning about them.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Cool,” I mumbled, unsure what else to say. Conversations with kids were harder than I thought.
After a moment, she closed her book and tilted her head. “So, are you my uncle?”
“Yeah,” I replied. “You probably don’t remember me, though. We met when you were little.”
“Got it,” she said simply. Then she hit me with a curveball. “Are you married?”
“Uh, no. I’m not married.”
“Why not?” she asked, her curious tone sounding more like an interrogation.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“I don’t want to get married. I like being on my own,” I said, hoping that would end the conversation.
“No one likes being alone,” she replied, crossing her arms.
“I do,” I insisted, though her words stung more than I cared to admit.
“Maybe you’re scared,” she said matter-of-factly.
“Scared? What would I be scared of?”
“Mom says marriage is a lot of work. She also says you don’t like working. So maybe you’re scared of hard work.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
I sat up straight.
“She told you that!? Well, just so you know, I’m not scared! Maybe it’s just… not for me. For now.”
“Got it. You’re scared,” Mira concluded, her lips curling into a tiny smirk. “Anyway, I’m hungry.”
“Then eat something,” I said, gesturing toward the kitchen.
“Mom said you’re taking care of me. So take care of me,” she shot back.
“Fine,” I muttered, opening the fridge. It was full of salads, juices, and not a single thing I wanted to eat. I sighed and pulled out my phone.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Pizza it is,” I declared.
Minutes later, we were sitting on the couch, devouring slices while watching TV. Mira was quiet for once, her face lit up by the screen.
Before I knew it, my head rested against the back of the couch, and the exhaustion of the day caught up with me. I didn’t even notice when I drifted off to sleep.
I woke up with a jolt, blinking against the light streaming into the room. Something felt off. The house was too quiet. I glanced around, and that’s when it hit me—Mira was nowhere to be seen.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Mira!” I called out, my voice echoing through the house. “Mira, where are you?”
No answer.
Panic surged through me. I started tearing through the house, opening doors, peeking under beds, and even checking the closets and cupboards.
Every empty space mocked me. My heart raced faster with each passing second.
I had one job. One simple job. Watch Mira for a day, and I couldn’t even manage that.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
I pulled out my phone, desperate for a clue, and saw a text from Riley:
“On my way home. I’ll be there in an hour. Everything okay?”
I froze for a moment, then typed back: “All good!” It was a lie, but I needed time to fix this.
Running downstairs, I scanned the living room again and noticed something I’d missed earlier: the window.
It was open, and a faint breeze fluttered the curtains. Mira had gone outside.
I crawled through the window and spotted a small shoe lying by the neighbor’s fence. My breath caught.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Climbing over, I found myself in their backyard, where a tall tree stood with a sturdy wooden treehouse perched near the top.
“Mira!” I yelled, looking up.
“I’m here,” her calm voice replied from above.
I climbed the rickety ladder, my pulse still hammering. At the top, I found Mira sitting cross-legged with another boy.
They were playing with toy figures, completely unbothered.
“Mira! You scared me!” I said, still catching my breath. “Why did you run off like that?”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“I got bored,” she said, shrugging. “And Sam was here. Sam, say hi to my uncle.”
“Hi, Mira’s uncle,” Sam said, not looking up.
“But your mom said you weren’t allowed outside!”
“She said you were supposed to make sure I didn’t go out,” Mira pointed out, her tone matter-of-fact. “But you were sleeping. Now I know what you’re scared of.”
“Of course I was scared!” I snapped, then softened. “Sorry. But why doesn’t your mom let you play with other kids?”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“She says I’ll pick up bad habits,” Mira said.
“But I like playing with Sam.”
“There’s nothing wrong with playing with other kids,” I said gently.
“Your mom’s just… protective.”
“And you’re not protective enough,” she quipped with a smirk.
I sighed. “You’re right. From now on, I’ll be more careful.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
In half an hour, the door creaked open, and Riley stepped into the house, her keys jingling as she set them on the counter. “Mira!? Henry!? Where are you two!?” she called out, her voice bouncing off the walls.
No answer.
The house was dark and eerily silent, with no sign of life. The faint glow of the streetlights seeped through the curtains, casting long shadows that made the empty space feel even more unsettling.
Riley’s heart raced as she scanned the room. “Where are they?” she muttered under her breath, her hands trembling slightly. Her eyes darted to an open window, the curtain flapping lazily in the breeze.
“Oh my god! I knew I shouldn’t have trusted my idiot brother!” she mumbled, panic setting in. She rushed toward the window, her mind racing with worst-case scenarios.
Suddenly—
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Surprise!!” Mira and I popped up from outside, shouting in unison.
Riley jumped back, clutching her chest. “God! I thought you were both gone! What’s wrong with you two!?”
We burst out laughing, and Mira nearly doubled over with glee. Riley’s face softened as she watched her daughter giggling, her playful spirit infectious.
“Sorry, sis. You were asking for it,” I teased, grinning. “Don’t worry so much. Nothing could go wrong, you’ve got to trust Mira a lot more.”
“Yeah, Mom!” Mira chimed in, beaming.
Riley sighed, a reluctant smile creeping onto her face. “You two are impossible,” she said, pulling Mira into a hug. “But I guess I’ll let it slide this time.”
As I left, I realized something: sometimes, kids teach you things about yourself you didn’t even know you needed to learn.
Tell us what you think about this story, and share it with your friends. It might inspire them and brighten their day.
If you enjoyed this story, read this one: Laura believed that her writing could change the world. But reality turned out differently, and her boss pushed her to dig up dirt on famous people. Desperate to save her job, she disguises herself as a cleaner compromising a millionaire. However, she uncovers a life-changing truth in the process.
This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life.
Woman Arrives at the Farm She Inherited from Her Grandfather to Sell It, but a Farmhand Stands in Her Way — Story of the Day
Rebecca arrives at the farm she inherited, ready to sell it and move on. But a stubborn farmhand refuses to let her make an easy sale. He challenges her at every turn, forcing her to confront not just him but the memories and responsibilities she thought she left behind. Their clash will decide the farm’s fate.
Early in the morning, Rebecca got into her car, the sun barely peeking over the horizon. This wasn’t part of her usual routine, but something unexpected had come up, and she had to deal with it.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Leaving her small business in the hands of her assistant, she set off on a long drive, heading out of the busy city.
Rebecca was on her way to her late grandfather’s farm, which he had left to her in his will. She hadn’t been there in years. As a child, she spent summers there, running around and playing, but once she grew older her visits stopped.
Rebecca always assumed her grandfather would pass the farm on to one of his workers, someone who truly needed it. Now, she had no intention of running it herself. Her plan was simple—check things out, find a buyer, and sell it as quickly as possible.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Rebecca parked near the farmhouse and stepped out, glancing around. As she turned, she noticed a man on the porch. He stood up quickly, smiling.
“Hey there,” he said. “You must be my new boss. I’m Derek.” He stepped forward, offering his hand.
Rebecca shook it, frowning slightly. Something about him seemed familiar. “Hi, Derek. But you’ve got it wrong. I’m not your boss.”
Derek tilted his head. “Well then, may I at least know the name of my non-boss?”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Oh,” Rebecca said, realizing she hadn’t introduced herself. “I’m Rebecca.”
“Wait a minute. Are you the same Rebecca who let all the chickens out so the dog could have fun?” He chuckled.
Rebecca’s eyes widened as the memory came back. Derek was the son of one of her grandfather’s workers, and they used to play together when she was little. “And you’re the same Derek who taught me to chase them with a slingshot?”
“Guilty as charged,” he said, raising his hands in mock surrender. They both laughed, easing the tension.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Derek’s expression grew serious. “So, what do you mean you’re not my boss? The farm was left to you, right?”
Rebecca’s smile faded. “Yes, but I don’t plan to keep it. I’m here to sell it.”
“What? Sell it? To who?”
“I don’t know yet,” she said, shrugging. “Whoever wants to buy it.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Even if they tear it down?” he asked.
“Well… yes.”
Derek stepped closer, his voice rising. “How could you do that? Your grandfather spent his life on this farm! It was everything to him.”
Rebecca felt a pang of guilt but tried to stand her ground. “He’s gone, Derek. And I have my own life. Being a farmer wasn’t part of my plan.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Derek’s eyes searched hers. “What about the animals? The people who work here? You’re just going to let them lose everything?”
She hesitated. “The new owner will handle that.”
Derek’s face darkened. “You don’t care at all, do you?”
“I care. It’s just… not my responsibility anymore,” she said quietly, turning to walk toward the house.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Derek’s voice followed her. “You heartless witch!”
Rebecca winced but didn’t turn back. She quickened her pace, heading inside, trying to ignore the doubts his words stirred.
The next morning, Rebecca was startled awake by a knock on her door. She groggily got up and opened it to find a man standing on the porch.
“Good morning, Rebecca,” he said, nodding politely. “I’m Travis. I manage the fields here. Something’s happened, and I think you’ll want to see it.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Rebecca rubbed her eyes. “Morning. Just give me a moment to get dressed.”
She quickly threw on the first clothes she found, then followed Travis outside. They walked through the farm until they reached one of the main fields. Rebecca’s heart sank when she saw the crops. They looked weak, wilted, and sickly.
“What’s wrong with them?” she asked.
Travis sighed, his expression grim. “Hard to say. Maybe someone spread something to damage them. Could be competitors. But if we don’t act fast, we’ll lose the entire crop.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Rebecca’s face tightened. “I don’t care. I’m selling the farm. That’s my plan.”
Travis glanced at her. “You’d get a lot more money if you sold it as a working farm. Not just land.”
Rebecca knew he had a point. She hesitated, then asked, “So, what do you need from me?”
“I need an extra worker. One of our guys is out sick, and we don’t have enough hands,” Travis explained.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Alright,” Rebecca said. “I’ll find someone to help.”
Rebecca spent the entire day making phone calls, trying to find someone to hire. She went through a long list of contacts, but every answer was the same—nobody was available.
By evening, she was exhausted, her energy completely drained. She felt like a squeezed lemon, with nothing left to give.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Tired and frustrated, Rebecca found herself wandering toward the stables. She remembered how, as a child, she would sit there for hours, surrounded by the soft sounds of the horses.
It always calmed her. She gently petted their noses, fed them some hay, and felt a wave of comfort wash over her. She sighed, thinking, who would have imagined this farm could bring her so many problems?
“Oh, I didn’t know princesses visited stables,” Derek said, his tone icy as he stepped inside.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Rebecca turned, frowning. “What’s with the attitude?”
Derek folded his arms. “How else should I talk to someone who doesn’t care?”
“For your information, I spent all day trying to find a worker for Travis,” she snapped. She wasn’t sure why she felt the need to explain herself, but his accusation stung.
Derek’s lips curled into a bitter smile. “So you can sell the farm for a better price. That’s what Travis said.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Rebecca rolled her eyes, trying to ignore the guilt building inside her.
“I can help Travis,” Derek said, “but I need support with the livestock. That’s my job.”
“There’s no one available to work,” she said.
Derek stepped closer, his gaze steady. “You could help.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Rebecca blinked, surprised. “Me?”
He raised an eyebrow. “Or are your hands too soft for real work?”
“I know how to work,” she shot back. “It’s the only thing I’ve ever really known how to do.”
“Good,” Derek said, turning toward the door. “Then it’s settled.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Rebecca stood there, still processing, as he walked away, wondering how she’d just agreed to help.
For the next few weeks, Rebecca found herself doing things she never expected. She woke up early each morning, pulling on boots and gloves, ready to work. She helped the workers in the fields, fed the animals, and even joined them in the kitchen, cooking meals after long days.
At first, she thought it would be a struggle, but the workers were patient and kind, teaching her the tasks step by step. They treated her like part of the team, and she started to see how much they cared about the farm.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Rebecca began to question if selling the farm was the right decision. Every night, she fell into bed exhausted, but it was a different kind of tiredness. The farm, once just a burden, was slowly becoming a place she was starting to care about.
One evening, as she walked back to the house, she spotted something unusual—small surveillance cameras mounted on poles, pointing straight at the field. Why hadn’t she noticed them before?
After asking around, she learned from Sarah, a longtime farm worker, where to access the footage. Sarah brought it to the house, and Rebecca started watching the recordings.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
She fast-forwarded until she found what she was looking for—footage of someone sneaking through the field, scattering a strange powder over the crops. The image was blurry at first, but then the figure’s face came into view. Rebecca’s heart dropped. It was Derek.
Furious, she slammed her laptop shut and stormed out of the house. Without thinking, she marched straight toward Derek’s cabin, her mind spinning.
Rebecca stormed up to Derek’s door. When he opened it, she held out her laptop, the screen showing the footage. “Care to explain this?!” she snapped.
Derek sighed, his shoulders drooping. “I was trying to delay the sale,” he said.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“So you decided to destroy the farm?!” Rebecca yelled, her voice shaking.
“I didn’t destroy it,” Derek replied. “I slowed things down. It worked. I know you’ve started to care.”
“You can’t just do that, Derek! People had to work harder because of you!” she shouted.
“I thought you didn’t care about the people here,” he said. “I wanted to make you see what this farm means.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Rebecca felt a sting in his words, but she refused to back down. “But you messed up! I don’t care! That’s why I’m selling it—to the first buyer who shows up!” she yelled, her voice cracking as she turned and stormed away, leaving Derek standing there.
Two days later, two businessmen arrived at the farm. Rebecca greeted them with a polite smile and led them on a tour, showing them the fields, the barns, and the house. She kept her tone professional, trying to stay detached.
After the tour, Ryan, one of the men, said, “We’re ready to buy it.”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Rebecca felt a weight lift from her shoulders. “Great! When can we sign the contract?” she asked.
“Right now,” said the other man, Tom. “We brought our lawyer with us.”
Rebecca nodded and led them inside. They sat at the dining table, and the lawyer set the papers down. She picked up the pen, but her hand froze. Something didn’t feel right. “You’re buying the farm to run it, right?” she asked.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
“Not exactly,” Ryan replied. “We plan to build a factory here. Is that a problem?”
Rebecca’s stomach twisted. She hesitated, but forced a smile. “No, no problem.” Her eyes drifted to the wall. A childhood photo of her and her grandfather hung there—she was feeding a calf, smiling wide. She took a deep breath, pushing the papers closer. Slowly, she prepared to sign.
After fifteen minutes, Rebecca walked Ryan, Tom, and their lawyer out of the house. She spotted Derek sitting under a tree, watching. Tom shook her hand. “Well, good luck,” he said. Ryan did the same, and then they drove off.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Derek got up and walked over. “Congratulations,” he said flatly. “The farm’s no longer your problem. How much did you sell it for?”
Rebecca looked at him. “I changed my mind.”
“What?” Derek’s eyes widened, confused.
“I’m not selling it,” she repeated.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Derek’s frown melted into a smile. “Really?”
“Don’t get too happy,” she said, trying to stay serious. “I’m a demanding boss. My employees usually avoid me.”
Derek suddenly pulled her into a tight hug, catching her off guard. After a moment, she realized what was happening and hugged him back, feeling something warm and hopeful stir inside her.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney
Tell us what you think about this story and share it with your friends. It might inspire them and brighten their day.
If you enjoyed this story, read this one: My mom always left my dad, swearing it was for good, only to return after his apologies and gifts. It became a pattern I was used to, a cycle that never broke. But this time, when she showed up at my door with a suitcase, she had news that changed everything. Read the full story here.
This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life. If you would like to share your story
Leave a Reply