The old couch my father left me had a secret that changed everything.

After the death of my father, my sister inherited the house, leaving me with nothing. She had harsh words for me, calling me weak and a disgrace to the family. Despite this, I received my father's broken couch that same night and sent it for repair.

The repairman made a surprising discovery inside the couch frame: a hidden compartment containing envelopes, a notebook filled with my father's heartfelt words, and a small tin box carefully wrapped in cloth. In his shaky handwriting, my father had penned his regrets, memories, and apologies, expressing emotions he had never vocalized.

Through the notebook, I learned that my father had secretly saved money for me and explained that the couch was always meant for me because he recognized my need for support and encouragement. His words revealed that he was proud of my resilience after my divorce and valued kindness over superficial success.

Realizing that my father had a different perspective than I had believed, I felt a sense of relief and understanding. Though my sister kept the house, the newfound knowledge of my father's true feelings was more valuable. I used part of the saved money to move into a new apartment and donated the rest to a local shelter.

Sitting on the repaired couch every evening, I reflected on the complexity of family relationships and the hidden love that can be discovered in unexpected places, teaching me that self-worth isn't dependent on others' approval.