Her Stepmother forced her to marry a poor begger to mock her in front of everyone but…

the scream that came from the big house on Maple Street made every bird fly away from trees what did you say olivia’s voice cracked like breaking glass victoria smiled her mean smile the same smile she wore when she threw away Olivia’s favorite doll the same smile she wore when she gave Olivia’s room to her own daughter but this smile was different this smile was the crulest one yet you heard me dear stepdaughter Victoria said her voice sweet like poison honey you’re getting married next week to the beggar who sits outside the church olivia felt the world spin around

her the fancy living room with its gold mirrors and silk curtains seemed to blur together her hands shook as she grabbed the back of a chair but but he’s just a dirty old man who asked for coins olivia whispered he smells bad and talks to himself and exactly victoria clap her hands together like she just won a prize everyone in town will see you marry him they’ll laugh and point and say “Look at poor Olivia even a beggar is too good for her the other servants in the house stop their work cook drop her wooden spoon the gardener stopped trimming roses outside the window even the fat

house cat seemed to stare with wide shocked eyes victoria walked around Olivia like a hunter circling its prey your father left you half of everything when he died half of his house half of his money half of him life her voice got louder with each word but once you marry that disgusting beggar you’ll be so ashamed that you’ll run away then everything will be mine olivia’s heart pounded so hard she could hear in her ears i won’t do it she said trying to sound brave you can’t make me victoria’s laugh was like nails on a chalkboard oh

but I can dear child you see I have something very special she pulled out a piece of old paper with fancy writing on it your father’s will says I’m in charge until you turn 21 that’s still two whole years away until then you do what I say the paper rustled in Victoria’s hands like a snake getting ready to strike i’ve already talked to the preacher Victoria continued i’ve already picked out your wedding dress it’s the ugliest one I could find yellow like old teeth and full of holes olivia felt tears burning her eyes but she wouldn’t let

them fall not in front of Victoria never in front of Victoria the whole town is talking about it already victoria said walking to the big window mrs peterson at the bakery thinks it’s hilarious mr johnson at the post office said he’s never seen anything so funny even the children are making up songs about the girl who has to marry a beggar outside the sun was setting making the sky looked like it was on fire but inside Olivia’s heart everything was cold and dark why do you hate me so much olivia asked her voice barely louder than a whisper victoria turned around and for

just a second her mask slipped her eyes burned with jealousy and anger that had been growing for years because your father loved you more than he ever loved me she hissed because you look like your beautiful mother because everyone in town says “Poor little Olivia so sweet and kind.

” Well let’s see how sweet and kind they think you are when you’re married to that that night Olivia lay in her small attic room staring at the ceiling victoria had moved her up here after her father died saying the good rooms were for real family only she thought about running away but where could she go she had no money of her own no family left no friends who would dare to go against Victoria the next morning Victoria dragged Olivia to the church to meet her future husband the beggar sat on his usual spot by the church steps his clothes were torn and dirty his hair was long and messy his beard was full of knots but when he looked up at Olivia

something strange happened his eyes his eyes were not the eyes of a broken man they were sharp alert and there was something in them that made Olivia’s breath catch in her throat something that looked almost dangerous this is Thomas Victoria announced loudly making sure everyone walking by could hear your husband Tob the beggar named Thomas stood up slowly he was much taller than Olivia had thought much stronger looking too under all those ragged clothes “hello Miss Olivia,” he said and his voice was nothing like she expected it was deep and smooth like her father’s

voice when he used to read her bedtime stories “say hello to your future husband dear,” Victoria commanded enjoying every second of Olivia’s embarrassment but as Olivia looked into Thomas’s eyes again she saw something that made her forget her shame for just a moment he winked at her not a silly joking wink but a wink that seemed to say “Don’t worry everything is going to be all right.

” And in that moment with people staring and Victoria laughing and the whole town talking Olivia felt the strangest thing she felt hope but why would a smelly old beggar give her hope what was Thomas hiding behind those mysterious eyes and why did Victoria suddenly look a little bit nervous the wedding day came like a storm cloud dark scary and impossible to stop olivia woke up to Victoria banging pots and pans outside her door get up bride,” Victoria shouted with fake sweetness “time to get ready for your big day.” The yellow dress Victoria had picked out was even

worse than Olivia had imagined it looked like it had been made from old curtains the sleeves were too long the bottom dragged on the floor and it smelled like mothballs and sadness “perfect.” Victoria clapped her hands as she looked at Olivia in the cracked mirror you look exactly like what you are a girl who deserves nothing better than a beggar but as Victoria laughed at her cruel joke something strange was happening outside cars were arriving at the church not just any cars fancy cars black cars that sparkled in the sunlight cars with tinted windows that cost more money than most people made in a whole year mrs

peterson from the bakery pressed her nose against her shop window who are all these people she whispered to her husband “i’ve never seen cars like that in our little town.” Mr johnson at the post office counted 12 expensive cars parking near the church men in dark suits got out they moved like soldiers looking around carefully before opening doors for other people “this is weird,” said little Tommy Fletcher who was playing with his toy truck nearby “why are all these fancy people here for the beggar’s wedding inside the church?”

Victoria was getting more and more excited she had invited everyone in town to watch Olivia’s humiliation the church was packed with people whispering and pointing look at that terrible dress poor girl having to marry him i heard he hasn’t taken a bath in months but then something made everyone stop talking the fancy people from the expensive cars walked into the church they were dressed in clothes that probably cost more than Victoria’s entire house the women wore jewelry that sparkled like stars the men

had watches that gleamed like gold coins and they all looked serious very serious they sat in the front rows the best seats in the church the same seats where Victoria had planned to put her friends so they could get a good view of Olivia’s shame “excuse me,” Victoria said to one of the fancy ladies i think you’re in the wrong place this is just a simple wedding between my stepdaughter and a a beggar the fancy lady looked at Victoria with cold eyes “we’re exactly where we need to be,” she said in a voice that could freeze water victoria

felt a chill run down her back “something was wrong very wrong outside more cars kept arriving some had license plates from the big city others had small flags on their hoods the kind that important government people used the beggar Thomas was nowhere to be seen but that wasn’t unusual beggars weren’t supposed to see their brides before the wedding just like regular people where is he victoria asked the preacher starting to feel nervous where’s the groom the preacher old Mr williams looked confused too i I don’t know he

said he’d be here he seemed very sure about it just then the church doors opened with a bang but it wasn’t Thomas who walked in it was a man in the most expensive suit anyone had ever seen behind him walked six more men all dressed like they were going to meet the president their shoes clicked on the church floor like drum beats “good morning,” the man in the expensive suit said his voice filled the entire church i’m here to make sure everything goes smoothly for today’s wedding victoria’s mouth fell open who who are you the man

smiled but it wasn’t a friendly smile let’s just say I’m a friend of the groom around the church people started whispering louder a friend of the beggar how does a beggar have friend like that this doesn’t make sense victoria felt like the ground was moving under her feet this wasn’t how things were supposed to go the beggar was supposed to be alone and embarrassed people were supposed to laugh at Olivia victoria was supposed to win but these fancy people weren’t laughing they were watching everything with sharp eyes like they were waiting for something important to

happen i want to see the groom Victoria demanded her voice getting shaky where is Thomas the man in expensive suit checked his golden watch he’ll be here in exactly 10 minutes he’s just getting ready getting ready where victoria asked he lives on the street but the man just smiled that not friendly smile again and didn’t answer in the back of the church Olivia sat in her terrible yellow dress watching everything with wide eyes the fancy people kept looking at her but not with pity like everyone else they looked at her like she was important one of the

fancy ladies even smiled at her a real warm smile that made Olivia feel less alone “don’t worry dear,” the lady whispered as she walked past “everything is going to be wonderful.” “But how could marrying a smelly beggar be wonderful?” Outside a new sound made everyone turn their heads music not wedding music from inside the church trumpets real trumpets playing a song that sounded royal and important victoria ran to the window her heart beating fast a long white car was coming down the street not just any car a car so fancy it looked like it belonged to a prince what is happening victoria

screamed the car stopped right in front of the church a man in a uniform got out and opened the back door and then a foot stepped out not a dirty barefoot like a beggar would have a foot wearing a shoe that was so shiny and perfect it looked like it was made of black glass then another foot then long legs and pants that were pressed so perfectly they could cut paper victoria’s eyes got bigger and bigger as she watched a hand appeared not a dirty rough hand but a hand that was clean and strong wearing a

ring that sparkled with diamonds the church got so quiet you could hear a pin drop everyone held their breath and then Thomas stepped out of the car but this wasn’t the Thomas they knew this Thomas stood tall and proud his hair was clean and styled perfectly his beard was gone showing a face that was handsome very handsome and his clothes his clothes looked like they cost more money than Victoria made in 10 years the beggar was gone in his place stood a man who looked like he could buy and sell the entire town without blinking victoria’s face

went white as a ghost “that’s That’s impossible,” she whispered but as Thomas walked toward the church his eyes found Olivia through the window and this time he didn’t just wink he smiled a smile that promised that everything Victoria thought she knew was about to change forever thomas walked into the church like he owned it every head turned every mouth dropped open the whispers stopped so suddenly it was like someone had turned off a radio this was not the same man who had sat outside begging for coins this man moved like a king his shoes clicked on the floor with confidence his shoulders were straight

and proud and when he smiled at the crowd people actually moved back in their seats like they were in the presence of someone very very important victoria stood frozen at the front of the church her face had gone from white to green to a color that had no name that’s That’s not She stammered pointing at Thomas with a shaking finger that’s not the same man but it was the same man the same eyes the same height the same voice that said “Hello Miss Olivia.

” Just days before Thomas walked straight to the altar where old Mr williams the preacher was standing with his mouth hanging open like a fish “good morning Reverend.” Thomas said calmly “I believe you’re here to perform a wedding.” “I I yes but” Mr williams looked back and forth between Thomas and Victoria like he was watching a tennis match you’re the beggar right the one who sits outside my church thomas smiled i’ve spent some time outside your church yes but I think you’ll find I’m much more than that in the audience the fancy

people were watching Victoria with eyes that looked like hungry wolves one of them a woman with silver hair and diamonds around her neck leaned forward in her seat “this is going to be good,” she whispered to the man next to her victoria finally found her voice stop!” she shouted her voice echoing off the church walls “this is all wrong you’re supposed to be dirty and smelly and embarrassing.

” Thomas turned to look at her “really look at her.” And for the first time since this whole thing started Victoria felt afraid “my dear Victoria,” Thomas said and his voice was silk wrapped around steel “i think you confuse me with someone else.” “No I haven’t.” Victoria’s voice got higher and more panicked you’re the beggar the one who asked for money the one who smells like garbage thomas walked closer to her with each step Victoria took a step back tell me Victoria Thomas said quietly but his voice carried every corner of the church what do you know about me really know victoria’s mouth

opened and closed like a fish yeah you sit outside the church you ask for coins you sleep on the street do I thomas asked have you ever seen me sleep on the street the church was so quiet you could hear people breathing victoria thought hard had she ever actually seen him sleep outside well no but have you ever seen me eat garbage or live in an alley no but everyone says everyone says a lot of things Thomas interrupted but what do you actually know victoria’s face was getting redder and redder she was starting to realize she had never actually paid attention to this man at

all she had just assumed he was what he appeared to be “i want to know who you really are.” Victoria demanded stamping her foot like a child having a tantrum thomas smiled again but this time it was a smile that made Victoria’s blood turn to ice “all in good time,” he said “but first we have a wedding to finish.

” He turned to Olivia who had been standing at the back of the church in her awful yellow dress watching everything with eyes as big as dinner plates “miss Olivia,” Thomas said extending his hand to her “would you do me the honor?” Olivia looked at his hand it was clean and strong with that diamond ring catching a light from the church windows this was not the hand of a beggar slowly carefully she took his hand the moment their fingers touched Thomas leaned close and whispered something in her ear whatever he said made Olivia’s eyes go wide then a small smile appeared on her face the first real smile she’d had in years what did you tell her victoria

shrieked what did you say but Thomas just winked at Victoria and led Olivia to the altar old Mr williams looked confused but started the ceremony anyway dearly beloved we are gathered here today but before he could get any further the church doors open again with a bang more people walked in but these weren’t just any people these were people with cameras newspaper reporters TV cameras people with microphones and notepads what’s happening someone in the crowd whispered “Why are there reporters here what’s so special about this wedding?” Victoria felt like she was in a nightmare this was supposed to be

simple embarrass Olivia get her to run away keep all the money but now there were fancy people and reporters and a groom who looked like he could buy the whole state i demand to know what’s going on victoria shouted over the noise one of the reporters a woman with short red hair stepped forward ma’am are you the one who arranged this marriage yes I am and I want to know why you’re all here the reporter smiled because this is the wedding of the year everyone wants to see what happens when someone tries to humiliate the heir to the Blackwood

Fortune the church went dead silent victoria felt like she’d been hit by lightning the the what she whispered the Blackwood Fortune the reporter repeated you know the family that owns half the banks in the country the family that could buy this entire town with their pocket change all eyes turned to Thomas who was still standing calmly at the altar victoria’s legs felt like jelly that’s That’s impossible he’s a beggar thomas finally spoke up actually Victoria I think it’s time we cleared up this confusion he reached into his

jacket pocket and pulled out a small leather wallet from it he took out a card and handed it to the reporter the reporter looked at it and her eyes went wide ladies and gentlemen she announced a crowd meet Thomas Blackwood III heir to the Blackwood Banking Empire worth approximately $3 billion the church erupted in gasps and shouts victoria grabbed the altar to keep from falling down “but how?” she screamed thomas looked at her with those eyes that had never been the eyes of a beggar “i’ve been watching you

Victoria for months i’ve been sitting outside this church listening to how you treat people how you treat shopkeepers how you treat your servants his voice got colder how you treat Olivia victoria’s face went from red to white to green again you were spying on me i was learning about you Thomas corrected and what I learned made me very very angry the fancy people in the audience were nodding their heads like they had been expecting this all along so I decided to give you exactly what you wanted thomas continued a wedding that would be remembered forever a wedding

that would be talked about for years to come he paused and looked around the packed church at the reporters at the cameras the only difference is you’re the one who’s going to be embarrassed not Olivia victoria’s scream could be heard three blocks away but Thomas wasn’t finished yet you see Victoria there’s something else you should know about me his smile was no longer friendly at all something that’s going to change your life forever thomas looked around the church at all the faces staring at him reporters held their cameras ready the fancy people leaned forward in their seats victoria

stood frozen like a statue her mouth still hanging open but Thomas only had eyes for Olivia before I tell you the final secret,” Thomas said his voice carrying every corner of the church i want everyone to know something about this young lady he took Olivia’s hand gently like she was made of precious glass for months I watched her give her lunch money to hungry children i watched her help old Mrs chin carry her groceries i watched her feed stray cats even when she barely had food for herself the church was silent except for the clicking of cameras i watched her

stepmother take away her room her clothes her happiness and through it all Olivia never stopped being kind victoria’s face was getting redder by the second i don’t care how nice she is i want to know what your other secret is thomas smiled it was a kind of smile that made smart people run away very fast the other secret Victoria is who I really am he reached into a jacket again and pulled out an old faded photograph he held up so everyone could see this is a picture of my mother Thomas announced her name was Sarah sarah Blackwood the photograph showed a beautiful woman with

kind eyes and a gentle smile she looked familiar very familiar olivia gasped she She looks like She looks like your mother doesn’t she Olivia thomas said softly victoria’s eyes went wide no no that’s impossible but Thomas wasn’t finished he pulled out another photograph this one showed two little girls playing together in a garden they looked exactly alike these are my mother and her twin sister thomas continued my mother Sarah and her sister Elizabeth olivia’s hands flew to her mouth elizabeth was her mother’s name your mother and my mother were sisters Thomas

said looking directly at Olivia which means which means you’re cousins shouted someone from the crowd the church erupted in gasps and shouts cameras flashed like lightning reporters scribbled furiously in their notebooks but Victoria was screaming louder than anyone that’s a lie it’s all lies thomas pulled out a third item this time it was an official looking document with fancy seals and ribbons this is a family tree prepared by the best genealogologist money can buy thomas said calmly it shows exactly how Olivia and I are

related he handed the document to the red-haired reporter who looked it over and nodded it’s all here she announced Thomas Blackwood and Olivia are indeed first cousins their mothers were twin sisters victoria looked like she was going to faint but But how did you know thomas’s smile disappeared now he looked very serious very dangerous because I’ve been looking for my family for 10 years he said “My mother told me before she died that she had a twin sister named Elizabeth she told me that Elizabeth had a daughter who would be about my age.”

He paused and looked around the church she also told me that Elizabeth married a man named Robert Harrison and moved to a small town victoria went completely white robert Harrison had been Olivia’s father so I hired investigators thomas continued “The best money could buy and they found Elizabeth’s daughter right here in this town.

” He turned to Victoria with eyes that could freeze fire living under the crulest stepmother imaginable victoria started backing toward the door but the crowd was too thick she was trapped when I learned what you were doing to my cousin Thomas said his voice getting colder with each word i decided to come see for myself so you pretended to be a beggar victoria accused i sat outside the church where I could watch and listen thomas corrected i watched you humiliate shop owners who couldn’t pay their bills fast enough i watched you scream at children for playing too loudly i watched you treat your servants like dirt the fancy people

in the audience were nodding their heads they had been watching too but most of all Thomas continued “I watched you treat Olivia like she was nothing like she was garbage.” His voice got so cold that people in the back row shivered my cousin my family victoria was shaking now i I didn’t know how could I have known you didn’t know because you never cared thomas shot back you never cared about anyone but yourself he turned to address the whole church so I decided to give Victoria exactly what she deserved

a public humiliation that would match all the private humiliations she gave others the reporter raised her hand mr blackwood what happens now thomas smiled and this time it was a good smile a happy smile now I’m going to take care of my family he said Olivia will never want for anything again she’ll have the best education the finest clothes and all the opportunities that were stolen from her he looked directly at Victoria as for you Victoria I have some interesting news victoria was trembling so hard she could barely stand you see

when your husband died he left half of everything to Olivia but the other half went to you with one condition victoria’s eyes went wide what what condition thomas pulled out yet another document this one looked very official and very important the condition was that you had to treat Olivia with kindness and respect if you ever mistreated her that was stated that your half would go to Olivia too victoria’s scream could be heard in the next county and thanks to all these wonderful witnesses,” Thomas continued gesturing

to the packed church and all these cameras we have plenty of evidence of how you treated her.” The red-haired reporter stepped forward again “ma’am would you like to comment on how it feels to lose everything because of your own cruelty?” But Victoria couldn’t speak she just stood there opening and closing her mouth like a fish out of water thomas turned back to Olivia who was crying now but these weren’t tears of sadness these were tears of joy “olivia,” Thomas said gently “you’re not just getting justice today you’re getting your family back your real family,” he gestured to all the fancy

people in the church “these are all your relatives cousins aunts uncles the Blackwood family has been looking for you for years.” The silver-haired woman with the diamonds stood up “welcome home dear,” she said with a warm smile “we’ve missed you so much.” Old Mr williams who had been watching all of this with his mouth hanging open finally found his voice “so are we still having a wedding?” he asked thomas laughed “not today Reverend but maybe someday when Olivia is ready we’ll have a real wedding one based on love not revenge.”

He took off his jacket and wrapped it around Olivia’s shoulders covering up the horrible yellow dress “for now,” he said “i think it’s time to take my cousin home.” As they walked toward the church doors Victoria finally found her voice “wait,” she screamed “you can’t just leave me with nothing.

” “Thomas stopped and turned around one last time.” “Victoria,” he said quietly “you’re not leaving with nothing.” Victoria looked hopeful for just a second you’re leaving with exactly what you gave to others,” Thomas continued “cruelty loneliness and shame.” He took Olivia’s arm and they walked out of church together followed by their family and the reporters victoria was left standing alone at the altar in a church full of people who were all staring at her with disgust outside the sun was shining brighter than it had in years

thomas helped Olivia into the beautiful white car “are you really my cousin?” Olivia asked still hardly believe it was true really and truly Thomas said with a smile and you’re never going to be alone again as the car drove away Olivia looked back at the church one last time she could see Victoria through the window still standing there still alone but Olivia didn’t feel sorry for her victoria had made her own choices and now she would live with them the car turned the corner and Victoria disappeared from view forever olivia

smiled and looked ahead to her new life her real life the life she deserved moral of the story what goes around comes around this story teaches us that kindness always wins an end while cruelty destroys the person who spreads it victoria thought she was so smart but her own meanness became the trap that caught her remember these important lessons treat everyone with respect you never know who they really are or who they might become kindness is the greatest strength olivia’s gentle heart is what made Thomas want to save her never judge people by their appearance the beggar turned out to be the richest

man around bullies always get caught victoria’s cruelty was witnessed by everyone when it mattered most family love conquers all sometimes a family you need finds you when you need them most good things happen to good people olivia’s kindness brought her a wonderful new life the biggest lesson of all when you’re mean to others you’re really just hurting yourself but when you’re kind the whole world becomes kinder to you thank you for watching did you love the story of justice and family your support means everything to us

smash that like button if the story gave you chills and made you cheer for Olivia comment below and tell us what was your favorite part of the story were you shocked by Thomas’s secret identity what do you think happened to Victoria after this which character did you love the most don’t forget to subscribe for more amazing stories like this one we have tons of incredible tales about hidden identities and shocking reveals good triumphing over evil family secrets and mysteries justice serve in the most satisfying ways and so much more hit

that subscribe button and the notification bell so you never miss our latest stories share this story with friends and family who love tales of justice and sweet revenge thank you for being part of our story family see you in the next incredible adventure