The young bride changed the bedsheets every day until one morning, her mother-in-law entered her room and made a shocking discoveryunveiling a secret capable of breaking any mothers heart.
My son, Lucas, had only been married to Elena for a few days. Their wedding in Batangas was simple, yet filled with laughter, tears, and heartfelt vows.
Elena seemed the perfect daughter-in-law: gentle, respectful, always smiling, and attentive to every family member. Even our neighbors and relatives were charmed by her.
*”Were so blessed to have such a wonderful daughter-in-law,”* I proudly told my friends at the market.
Yet, just days after the wedding, I noticed something unusual
### **The Mystery of the Sheets**
Every morning, Elena hung the bedsheets and blankets outside to dry in the sun. Sometimes, she even changed them twice a day.
One day, I asked her:
*”Tell me, dearwhy do you change the sheets so often?”*
She smiled softly.
*”Im sensitive to dust, Mom. I sleep better when everything is fresh and clean.”*
But something felt off. The sheets were all brand new, carefully chosen for the wedding, and carried a faint scent. No one in our family had allergies.
Slowly, doubt crept inthere had to be another reason
### **A Shocking Revelation**
One morning, as I prepared for the market, I passed her room and caught a strange smell.
When I opened the door, my heart pounded. I approached the bed and lifted the sheet
My legs nearly gave way.
The fabric was covered in thick, dark stains.
Terrified, I opened the drawers and found rolls of bandages, a bottle of disinfectant, and neatly folded clothes, hidden away.
### **Elenas Truth**
I rushed downstairs and grabbed her wrist.
*”Explain! Whats happening? Why did you hide this?”*
At first, she trembled in silence, tears brimming. Then, she collapsed into my arms, sobbing.
*”Mom Lucas has late-stage leukemia. The doctors say he has only months left. We rushed the wedding because I couldnt leave him. I wanted to stay with himeven if time was short.”*
My world shattered.
My sonthe boy I raised and lovedhad kept this secret to protect me.
Elena chose to suffer silently so I wouldnt break.
### **A Mothers Devotion**
That night, I didnt sleep for a second. Lying awake, I thought of Lucas pain and Elenas quiet sacrifice.
The next day, I bought fresh sheets and helped her wash the old ones. Every morning, I rose early to be with them, offering strength and love.
One day, as we changed the linens, I hugged her.
*”Thank you, Elena for loving my son. For staying. For choosing him, knowing youd lose him.”*
Three months later, Lucas passed peacefully in his sleep. Elena held his hand, whispering *”I love you”* until his last breath.
No pain. No struggle. Only peaceand a faint smile on his face.
Elena never left after that.
She didnt return to her parents.
She never remarried.
Instead, she stayed with me, quietly helping run our small grocery store.
She became like my own daughter.
Now, two years later, when people ask:
*”Why does Elena still live with you?”*
I smile and reply:
*”Because she wasnt just my sons wife she became my daughter. And this will always be her home.”*
