Daughter of Wealthy Parents
Many envied Hannah, claiming she was born with a silver spoon in her mouth. Her father was a prominent businessman, and her mother came from a wealthy family.
They lived in a gated community and also had a spacious, cozy apartment in the city. Hannah was chauffeured to her private school, which was quite exclusive, yet even there, her family’s wealth was extraordinary.
Hannah wore designer clothes, and they traveled for holidays at least three times a year. It seemed like a dream life.
But for Hannah, it was more of a nightmare. She would have gladly traded places with any kid from a less wealthy but happy family.
Hannah’s parents didn’t just dislike each other—they despised one another. However, they couldn’t part ways due to their shared business interests.
Her father was openly unfaithful, and Hannah often saw his mistresses.
Her mother drank—a great deal. The difference from regular alcoholics was that her mother consumed expensive, luxury alcohol paired with seafood and exotic fruits. Otherwise, she was like any other drunk. Her day began with a glass of wine and by evening, at least two bottles were gone.
No one paid any attention to Hannah. If she had questions or problems, her father would just hand her money, with the usual comment: “I don’t have time.”
Her mother was usually too inebriated to approach. She would either lament about her life or be too lost in thought to converse.
Coming home from school, Hannah would lock herself in her room, dreaming of the day she could escape this hell. Even parties and outings with friends didn’t appeal much, since she knew if anything happened to her, no one would notice right away.
Naturally, Hannah got into the best university in town. She told her father she wanted to live independently, and he was fine with it, promising to send a real estate agent to find her an apartment.
Hannah was thrilled. Finally, she wouldn’t have to endure the constant arguments, see her drunk mother, or hear her father’s calls to his lovers. But things were not so simple.
Before buying her an apartment, her father wanted to talk.
“Once you finish university, I’ll train you to run the family business with me.”
Hannah had no intention of carrying on her father’s and grandfather’s legacy and told him so. She detested the business that bound her parents in misery, making her childhood equally unhappy.
Instead, she chose the tourism sector, dreaming of starting her own travel agency. They traveled often, and at least during those trips, she could focus on something else. Though even on vacations, her parents quarreled, and her mother drank heavily. Once, her father even booked a room for his mistress next door in their hotel. Hannah saw him sneaking over there at night while her mother lay insensibly drunk.
Despite everything, those trips breathed life into her. She would go on tours, spend time on the beach—anything to avoid the family dramas. In her early years, her nanny—a person who somewhat cared for her—accompanied them. Later, as she grew, she was left to her own devices.
That’s why the idea of tourism fascinated her. Engaging in the family business meant embracing what destroyed her life.
Surprisingly, her father, who never seemed to care, issued an ultimatum: if she wanted his financial support, she’d have to do things his way.
Her mother faced the same dilemma, having agreed to her grandfather’s conditions just to maintain her lavish lifestyle, even if it meant staying with a man she didn’t love. Lately, money was merely a means to buy a good bottle of wine.
Hannah vowed not to repeat her mother’s fate. She knew running the business wasn’t enough; her father wouldn’t let her marry who she wanted or pursue her passions. Soon, she’d feel trapped in a gilded cage, and like her mother, start her mornings with wine.
Resolutely, Hannah refused to bow to her father’s demands. Keeping his promise, her father cut her off financially, blocking her accounts and telling her to leave home. His intention was to coerce her, but seeing her mother’s life hardened Hannah’s resolve.
Packing her belongings, she left for an uncertain future. Thankfully, she had some pocket money, which now needed to last.
Understanding her father wouldn’t pay for her education, she rented a room—just enough for a couple of months—and worked as a waitress. It was tough for someone who had never washed a dish in her life. Yet, driven by her goals, she persevered.
Sometimes, she felt like giving up, wishing to return to her father and agree to his terms just to get a good night’s sleep and meals. But remembering her mother, she bit her lip and pressed on.
She juggled work by night and studies by day. Scraping together enough money for the next semester and rent, she braced herself for several more challenging years.
But fortune favored her. The restaurant manager noticed her, as she stood out compared to the other waitresses.
Soon, she was promoted to manager. Hannah’s eloquence, poised demeanor, and elegance suited the role.
Her earnings increased, and several months later, she met a customer named Jack, sparking a romance. Hannah never revealed her background, only mentioning she wasn’t close to her parents, and her mother had issues while her father was unfaithful. She never spoke of their wealth, knowing it wouldn’t end well.
She moved in with Jack, who owned his own place, reducing her living expenses. She also changed her phone number to sever ties with her parents.
Hannah completed her degree, started working at a travel agency, and after marrying Jack, eventually opened her own. Just as she had always dreamed. Most satisfying was achieving it all without parental money and marrying for love, even if Jack wasn’t a millionaire.
Their daughter, Emily, was born, and Hannah showered her with the love she wished she’d received from her own parents.
Emily turned four, and one day while they were home, there was a buzz from the intercom.
“I’ll get it,” said Jack.
He came back looking a bit shocked.
“Hannah, it’s your father,” he said.
Feeling faint, she went to the hallway and saw her father.
He looked older, with lines etched deep on his face. But it was still her father, stern as ever, without a hint of a smile.
“Hello, Hannah.”
“Hi,” she replied, nerve-wracked.
“How are you?”
“As you can see,” gesturing around their modest hallway, “we’re doing fine.”
“Our last conversation didn’t end well. I had hoped you’d reconsider.”
“You mean you hoped I’d fail,” she said bitterly.
“Maybe so. But you’ve proven stronger than your mother.”
“How is she?” Hannah asked, realizing she knew nothing about her family now.
“Much the same. Maybe worse. Anyway, I want us to reconnect. I’ve discovered I have a granddaughter. I can offer a lot for her, like a place in a top nursery, and for you as well. It’s no life living like this.”
Shaking her head, Hannah felt he hadn’t really wanted to see her, just felt money could solve everything as always.
“No thanks, Dad. We’re fine.”
“Don’t kid yourself,” he scoffed. “Is this really living?”
“Living like I never did,” she replied. “Happily, where the family loves each other, no one cheats, and problems aren’t just paid away. But you wouldn’t understand.”
“Perhaps not,” he admitted. “Okay, if you need anything, call.”
Hannah nodded, closing the door behind him. Unexpectedly, she began to cry. Her parents hadn’t missed her; her father merely wanted to regain control. Perhaps he aimed to shape Emily into the person Hannah wouldn’t become. But Hannah wouldn’t allow it.
“Everything okay?” Jack asked, finding his wife in tears.
“Yes, everything’s great,” she smiled, hugging him. “Really fantastic. I’m just grateful I have you both.”
And truly, everything was great. No matter what others said, happiness wasn’t about money—the one thing Hannah knew all too well.
