Businessman Loses All Hope After His Diagnosis, but One Hospital Encounter Changes Everything — Story of the Day

When a workaholic businessman receives devastating news about his health, he meets a young boy in the hospital who changes his outlook on life. Their bond grows through unexpected friendship and small acts of kindness, teaching him what truly matters—until a heartbreaking twist reshapes everything.

Andrew, 50, sat at his desk, shuffling through papers while juggling scheduling meetings with his partners.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

He didn’t hear Michael, his assistant, enter the room. Michael stood there, waiting. After a few moments, he cleared his throat.

No response. Andrew kept working, his focus sharp. Michael tried again. “Mr. Smith.” Still no answer. He repeated his name three more times.

Finally, Andrew slammed his hands on the desk and snapped, “What?”

Michael didn’t flinch. “You asked me to tell you if your ex-wife called.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Andrew groaned and rubbed his temples. “How many times do I have to tell you? Ignore her calls. What now?”

Michael held a notepad. “She left a message. I should warn you—it’s a direct quote. Her words, not mine.” He read from the note. “‘You pompous jerk, I will never forgive you for wasting so many years of my life. If you don’t give me back my painting, I’ll smash your car.’ That’s the message.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Andrew’s face turned red. “We’ve been divorced for two years! Does she not have anything better to do?”

Michael looked at him, waiting for further instructions. “Should I respond to her?”

“No! And stop taking her calls,” Andrew said. Then he paused. “Actually, tell her I threw that painting in the trash!”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Andrew grabbed a pen and hurled it toward the wall. Michael ducked slightly, gave a polite nod, and left the room.

Moments later, Andrew’s phone rang. He frowned, picking it up.

“Andrew Smith?” a voice asked.

“Yes. Who’s calling?”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“This is the hospital. Your test results are ready. The doctor wants to see you.”

“Can’t you just tell me now?” Andrew said, irritated. “I’m busy.”

“Sorry, sir. The doctor will explain in person.”

Andrew sighed heavily. “Fine. I’ll come in.” He hung up, shaking his head.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Andrew rarely allowed himself the luxury of a lunch break, but this time was different. The doctor’s office was quiet, the ticking clock on the wall the only sound.

Andrew sat stiffly in a chair, his fingers tapping against the armrest. When the door opened, the doctor stepped in, his face serious. Andrew frowned, sensing bad news.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

The doctor sat across from him and spoke in a steady, measured tone, using terms Andrew didn’t understand.

Then came the word—cancer. “We need to act fast,” the doctor said.

“Is this some kind of joke?” Andrew asked, his voice sharp. “I own a company. I can’t just check into a hospital.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

The doctor met his eyes. “Your health should come first. The company can wait.”

Andrew leaned forward. “What are my chances of getting better?”

“I can’t promise anything,” the doctor said. “Starting treatment right away is critical.”

Andrew’s voice rose. “Can I still work while I’m here?”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Treatment affects everyone differently,” the doctor explained. “You will stay in the hospital so we can monitor you. Someone can bring you a computer.”

Andrew frowned and stood up. “Fine. I’ll sort it out.”

The doctor watched him leave. “We’ll see you tomorrow with your things,” he said before Andrew reached the door.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

As Andrew walked through the hospital’s pediatric wing, he noticed a boy, about eight years old, tossing a ball back and forth with a nurse.

The sound of their laughter echoed in the corridor. The ball suddenly rolled across the floor and stopped near Andrew’s feet.

“Excuse me, sir!” the boy called out, smiling. “Can you please throw the ball back?”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Andrew picked up the ball, his face tense. Without a word, he hurled it down the hall, far from the boy and nurse, then turned and walked away.

“That was mean, sir!” the boy shouted.

Andrew had been in the hospital for days that felt like weeks. He tried to keep working, setting up his laptop and pushing through meetings.

But the treatment was draining. Each session left him weaker. The nausea was constant, and sleep was nearly impossible.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

One afternoon, during another long chemotherapy session, Andrew leaned back, his eyes half-closed. He felt miserable.

Suddenly, a small voice broke through his fog. He opened his eyes to see a boy standing in front of him. Startled, Andrew flinched. The boy giggled. It was the same boy from the corridor.

“What do you want, kid?” Andrew mumbled, not even lifting his head.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“I’ve been walking around the hospital looking for someone to play with. It’s boring here.”

Andrew glanced at him, annoyed. “What’s your name?” he asked.

“Tommy,” the boy replied with a wide grin.

Andrew sighed. “Listen, Tommy. I’m not in the mood to play. Go bother someone else before I start feeling worse.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Tommy didn’t move. Instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small peppermint candy. He held it out to Andrew. “This helps with nausea. You should try it.”

Andrew hesitated, then snatched the candy and set it on the table.

“You’re really grumpy!” Tommy said, laughing. “I’m going to call you Mr. Grouch. Are you mad because you’re scared of needles?” He pointed at the IV attached to Andrew’s arm.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Andrew frowned. “I’m not scared of anything.”

Tommy nodded. “That’s fine. I was scared at first too, but then I stopped. My mom says I’m a superhero. Do you have a superpower?”

“No,” Andrew said, his voice flat.

“That’s because you’re too sad,” Tommy replied, his tone serious now.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Andrew looked at the boy, surprised by the honesty in his big, bright eyes. “Is there anything you want?” Andrew asked.

Tommy grinned. “Yeah. I want to buy flowers for my mom. She works really hard, but I don’t have any money.”

Andrew sighed again, reached for his wallet, and pulled out a few bills. “Here. Get your flowers. Maybe buy yourself something too. But leave me alone.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Tommy’s face lit up. “Thanks, Mr. Grouch!” He ran out, clutching the money, while Andrew stared at the peppermint candy on the table.

With a sigh, he picked it up, unwrapped it, and popped it into his mouth. To his surprise, the sharp sweetness helped ease the nausea. It wasn’t much, but it made a difference for a while.

That evening, as Andrew stared at his laptop, a nurse knocked on his door.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

She carried a small paper bag. “This is for you,” she said, placing it on the table. “Tommy sent it.”

Andrew opened the bag and found it full of peppermint candies. He shook his head, unsure whether to feel amused or moved.

The next morning, he decided to find Tommy. He needed to make one thing clear: the money wasn’t a gift.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

As he approached Tommy’s room, he saw a woman leaning against the wall, her shoulders shaking. She was crying.

“Are you okay?” Andrew asked, his voice low.

The woman wiped her eyes quickly and looked up. “Yes… Did you need something?”

“Tommy gave me some candies yesterday,” Andrew said.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

The woman’s lips curved into a small smile. “Oh, so you’re Mr. Grouch,” she said.

Andrew raised an eyebrow. “My name’s Andrew,” he replied.

“I’m Sara,” she said. “Are you here for treatment too?”

Andrew nodded.

“Then you understand,” Sara said quietly. “The bills, the stress. I can’t even pay rent right now. They told me we’ll be evicted in two months.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Andrew nodded again, unsure of what to say. Before he could respond, the door burst open. Tommy ran out, his face lighting up when he saw Andrew. “Hey, Mr. Grouch!” he called, grinning ear to ear.

From that day forward, Tommy became a constant presence in Andrew’s life.

The boy would wander into Andrew’s room with a big grin and endless energy. At first, Andrew found it annoying, but Tommy’s persistence wore him down.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Soon, Andrew began looking forward to the visits. Tommy taught him to notice the simple joys in life.

They sat by the window, watching the sunset, guessing the colors in the sky. They played harmless pranks on nurses, earning scolding looks and stifled smiles.

Sometimes, they “borrowed” wheelchairs and raced down the halls, laughing until their sides hurt.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Andrew didn’t ask about Tommy’s illness. He wasn’t sure how to bring it up. One afternoon, Tommy mentioned Sara had been crying again. “She’s worried about money,” Tommy said. “We might lose our house.”

Andrew quietly gave Tommy an envelope of cash. “Tell her it’s from a magician,” he said.

When Sara tried to return the money, Andrew waved her off. “I’m not a magician,” he said. “I don’t know where it came from.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Weeks passed. Andrew’s treatments worked, and the day came when the doctor gave him the news—he was cancer-free.

Ecstatic, Andrew rushed to share it with Tommy. But when he arrived, Tommy was unconscious, Sara sitting beside him, tears streaming down her face.

“What happened?” Andrew asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Sara wiped her eyes and shook her head. “The doctors said there’s nothing more they can do.”

Andrew stared at her, struggling to process the words. “But… he seemed so happy. He always smiled. I thought he was improving.”

Sara looked at him, her face full of pain. “He didn’t want you to see how sick he was. He wanted to be strong for you. He thought he was a superhero.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Andrew’s chest tightened. “I’m so sorry.”

Sara managed a faint smile through her tears. “Don’t be. He said you saved him. These months, you gave him laughter and hope. You made him forget about being sick.”

Andrew shook his head slowly. “No. He’s the one who saved me.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

He stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her in a gentle hug. She cried quietly against his shoulder, and though Andrew wished he could take her pain away, he knew nothing would ever truly ease it.

That night, Tommy passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of his mother and the memories he had made.

Andrew sat alone in his room afterward, overwhelmed by the loss. Andrew couldn’t bear the thought of such a bright soul being forgotten.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Determined, he started a foundation in Tommy’s name to help sick children, ensuring his kindness would live on.

He also stayed in touch with Sara, offering her support in every way he could.

One afternoon, Andrew stood at his ex-wife’s door, holding the painting she had demanded for so long. She opened the door, her mouth ready to hurl accusations, but Andrew silently handed her the painting.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“I’m not here to argue,” Andrew said, his tone calm as he held out the painting.

His ex-wife frowned, puzzled. “What is this supposed to mean?” she asked.

“Nothing important,” Andrew replied, a small smile forming. “I’m just making sure I keep my superpowers.” Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Tell us what you think about this story and share it with your friends. It might inspire them and brighten their day.

If you enjoyed this story, read this one: Taking care of Mom was hard enough without the tension with my sister. Accusations flew when precious things started disappearing. I thought I knew who was to blame, but the truth shattered my world. Betrayal came from where I least expected, leaving me questioning everything—and everyone—I trusted.

This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life.

My Husband’s Shocking Betrayal: He Brought Home His Pregnant Lover and My Revenge Will Leave You Speechless

Eight years of marriage fell apart in an instant when my husband Mike brought home his pregnant girlfriend and kicked me out of our house. I packed my bags, but what I really unpacked was a clever plan for revenge!

Eight years. About 2,922 days. Roughly 70,128 hours. Every moment, my heart kept saying one name—MIKE, my husband. I thought he loved me just as much. Oh, how wrong I was! I’m Michelle, a devoted wife who loved her husband deeply, until that shocking night when my world turned upside down. 

It was a Tuesday evening when everything changed. I came home tired from a long day at work and found a very pregnant woman sitting on our couch, munching on chips.

At first, I thought I must have walked into the wrong house.

But no, there was the awful floral wallpaper that Mike loved, and there was Mike, looking uncomfortable like he had just swallowed something prickly.

Source: Midjourney

“Hey, Michelle,” he said, sounding as casual as if he were just asking for salt. “We need to talk.”

I stood there, frozen, trying to process what I was seeing. The pregnant woman smiled awkwardly, her hand resting on her belly, looking like she was in a drama show.

“This is Jessica,” Mike said, pointing to the woman on our couch. “She’s pregnant. With my child. It… it just happened. And we’ve decided to be together.”

I waited for the joke. Surely, this was some prank for a reality TV show. Maybe I’d win a car if I didn’t freak out?

But Mike looked serious, and Jessica kept smiling that annoying smile.

Mike looked offended. “Enough, Michelle! This is serious. I think it’s best if you move out. You can go stay with your mom. Jess and I will take over the house.”

I blinked. Once. Twice. Three times. Nope, still not a dream.

I half-expected Ashton Kutcher to jump out and tell me I’d been Punk’d. But no Ashton. Just my cheating husband and his very pregnant partner.

“Alright,” I said calmly. “I’ll pack my things and leave.”

Mike looked relieved, probably thinking he’d gotten off easy. Jessica’s smile got even bigger, like she had just won the lottery. Little did they know, their luck was about to change, and not for the better.

Source: Midjourney

I went upstairs, packed a suitcase with my essentials, and left without saying a word.

As I drove to my mom’s house, the shock faded, and anger took over. But this wasn’t just any anger. This was the kind that makes you want to do something bold and incredibly satisfying.

The next day, I put my plan into action.

First stop: the bank. I walked in there like a woman on a mission, which I was. I froze our joint account faster than you can say “cheating jerk.”

The look on the bank manager’s face when I explained was priceless. I think he was mentally taking notes for his next book.

Next, I went to a locksmith.

I remembered overhearing Mike tell Jessica they’d be gone for three days, giving me plenty of time to carry out my plan. It felt like the universe was on my side, and who was I to argue with fate?

My next stop: my house. The same cozy home where Mike and I had once made plans for the future, which was now in ruins.

The confused locksmith probably thought I was crazy, laughing as I had him change all the locks on the house. I may have gone a little overboard and asked for the most complicated, high-tech locks. If I was going to do this, I wanted to do it right.

Then came the movers.

I gave them the spare keys and arranged for them to pack up everything I owned, which was basically everything in the house. I even took the toilet paper. Let’s see how Mike and Jessica enjoy using leaves!

But the best part? Oh, that was still to come. I had a brilliant idea that would make this revenge not just sweet, but unforgettable.

Source: Midjourney

I sent out party invitations. A lot of them. To Mike’s family, our friends, his coworkers, and even that nosy neighbor who always complained about our late dog.

The invitation said: “Come celebrate Mike’s new life! Surprise party at our house, tomorrow at 7 p.m.!”

Then, I arranged for a billboard. Yes, a billboard. A huge one. It was delivered and set up on our front lawn, impossible to ignore.

In giant, bold letters, it read: “Congratulations on Dumping Me for Your Pregnant Mistress, Mike! Hope the Baby Doesn’t Inherit Your Infidelity!”

I stepped back to admire my work, feeling like a mischievous fairy godmother who just granted the world’s most ironic wish. With a satisfied smirk and a dramatic hair flip, I walked away, excited for the chaos to come.

The next evening, right on cue, my phone rang. It was Mike, and he sounded like he was losing it.

“Michelle!” he yelled, his voice reaching levels I didn’t know he could hit. “What the hell is going on? Why are there people at our house? And what’s with this crazy billboard?”

“Oh, that?” I said, trying to sound innocent. “Just a little housewarming party for you and Jessica. Don’t you like the decorations?”

“Decorations? It’s a freaking circus out here! And why can’t I get into the house?”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Well, sweetie, you told me to move out, remember? You never mentioned anything about you staying there. The house is under my name, so I changed the locks. Oops!”

There was a long pause on the other end. I could almost hear him trying to understand what was happening.

“Where are we supposed to go?” he finally asked, sounding lost.

“Gee, I don’t know, Mike. Maybe Jessica’s mom would love to have you? I hear pregnancy hormones and in-laws mix really well.”

Source: Midjourney

I hung up, feeling lighter than I had in years. But wait, there was more!

In the following days, I had the utilities turned off, canceled the cable, and made sure all our shared assets were in my name. I put the house up for sale, making sure to mention in the listing that it came with a “bonus front lawn art installation.”

I had Mike served with divorce papers at his work. I even asked the mailman to dress up as a pregnant woman. Just for fun!

But the universe wasn’t finished with Mike yet. Oh no, it had saved the best part for last.

Source: Midjourney

A week later, I got a call from Jessica. Yes, that Jessica. She was crying so much that I could barely understand her.

“Michelle,” she sobbed, “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know… I mean, Mike told me you two were separated. And now… now he’s broke and homeless, and I’m pregnant, and I don’t know what to do!”

I almost felt bad for her. Almost.

“Well, Jessica,” I said, trying not to sound too happy, “I hear the circus is always looking for new acts. Maybe you two could start a juggling duo? You juggle the baby, and he juggles his lies?”

She didn’t appreciate my humor. Tsk! Tsk!

As it turned out, when Jessica learned that Mike was now homeless, broke, and the laughingstock of the town, she decided that being with a guy who had no money, no house, and no future wasn’t a great idea after all.

She dumped him faster than you can say “Karma’s a b****!”

Source: Midjourney

Last I heard, Mike was living in a tiny apartment, trying to scrape together enough money to pay bills and feed himself. His family had cut him off, disgusted by what he did.

They even sent me a fruit basket and an apology card. I ate the fruits while relaxing in my new jacuzzi.

As for me? Well, the house sold for a nice profit. I moved to a beautiful new place, started my own business, and adopted a cat. I named him Karma.

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