She Loved a Poor Gardener—Then Discovered He Was the Heir to a Fortune
Chapter 13
Thomas’s daughter was born in spring.
They named her Elizabeth.
She grew up among gardens, books, ships, and servants.
But her parents refused to let wealth become her identity.
When she was old enough, Thomas took her into the garden.
He showed her the old rosebush.
“Your mother saved this.”
Elizabeth touched a flower.
“Why?”
“Because I didn’t know what I was doing.”
Clara called from nearby:
“You still don’t.”
Thomas laughed.
Elizabeth giggled.
Then she asked:
“Father, were you always rich?”
Thomas looked at Clara.
“No.”
“Were you poor?”
“Yes.”
“Which did you like better?”
He thought for a moment.
“Being loved.”
Elizabeth frowned.
“That’s not an answer.”
“It is the best one.”
He knelt.
“When people think you’re poor, some will treat you badly.”
“Why?”
“Because they judge what they see.”
“And when they think you’re rich?”
“Some will treat you well for the wrong reason.”
Elizabeth looked confused.
Thomas smiled.
“That’s why you must learn to judge people by what they do when they believe no one is watching.”
Clara looked at him.
He was repeating her words.
The same words she had spoken to him years ago.
