“Howdy, Miss Diana! I’m sure you are the happiest mother on earth!” her boss commented.

Diana smiled and walked in with the heavy gift box. She watched the bride and groom exchange wedding rings and then kiss. Even if she wanted to, Diana could not stop her tears from flowing. She was delighted. “I’ve done it!” she said.

Following the wedding, a lavish reception took place. Several wealthy guests flocked to the venue to greet the newlyweds. Arnold saw his mom approaching and was shocked. He raised his eyebrows in disgust. “Why has she come? I told her not to spoil my day!” he thought.

“Congrats, darling! You two look amazing! Best wishes!” said Diana, handing the gift to her son.

Arnold looked around and realized the moment was being photographed. He didn’t want to make a scene, so he shyly took the gift from his mother. He slightly tore open the box and saw the vase inside. “She gave me an old vase lying around in the house? How cheap?!” he groaned.

Arnold walked away to throw his mother’s gift he thought was ‘garbage,’ but he was interrupted by her voice on the mic. Arnold turned pale with shock. He had no idea that a twenty-five-year-old secret she’d been keeping from him would be unraveled that day.

“Twenty-five years ago, just minutes before my best friend died….” began Diana, who quickly looked up at the ceiling as tears started to gather in her eyes.

“She gave me an old vase and told me to give it to her son the day he gets married. It was a gift from her late parents, and she wanted her son to have it.”

Arnold did not understand what his mother was saying.

“After she died, I adopted her little son and raised him as my own. I never married anyone because I wanted to devote my time and love only to my child. Son, it’s time to check out what your late mother left you in that vase. Cheers!” Diana lifted a glass for a toast as a shocked Arnold inspected the vase.

He was flabbergasted. Inside the old ceramic vase were wads of cash. Tears gushed from his eyes as he dropped to his knees.

Arnold realized the woman he was ashamed of was not his birth mother but the one who sacrificed her whole life to raise him. She was more than a mother to him. She was his savior and guardian angel who saved him after he was orphaned.

“I’ve kept my promise to my late friend. I’m happy for you, son. Take care, and God bless you!” Diana finished. She walked toward the entrance to leave, but Arnold couldn’t let her go like that. He raced after her and blocked her way.

“Mom, I’m sorry. Your love for me is priceless. I’m sorry for hurting you. I was never a good son, but you were always a good mother to me. Why didn’t you tell me I was an orphan? Please don’t leave me. I don’t want to become an orphan again.”

Diana hugged Arnold, and they returned to the stage, where the groom danced with his mother.

“I love you, mom!” he whispered, and Diana smiled, tears of joy gushing from her eyes.