Rays Of Hope: contos, #1

By Ricardo Almeida

"Embark on an emotional rollercoaster with 'From Darkness to Light: Tiffany's Journey of Resilience.' This captivating tale unravels the intricate threads of Tiffany's life, where shadows of ignorance are replaced by the illuminating power of knowledge. As Tiffany navigates through the challenges of family secrets, unexpected blessings, and the unwavering bond between a mother and daughter, the narrative unfolds with gripping intensity.

Follow Tiffany's path from a childhood shaped by the absence of a father to the heart-wrenching moment when her mother faces an unforeseen dilemma. The story weaves through twists of fate, leaving readers on the edge of their seats as Tiffany grapples with the complexities of her family's history. The characters come to life, each playing a crucial role in this saga of love, loss, and the pursuit of dreams.

As Tiffany's journey continues, witness the evolution of her relationships, from the heartwarming connection with her grandmother to the unspoken promises shared between mother and daughter. The story takes unexpected turns, revealing the resilience of the human spirit in the face of tragedy. Be prepared to shed tears, share laughter, and experience the full spectrum of emotions as Tiffany's life unfolds before your eyes.

'From Darkness to Light' is not just a story; it's a testament to the strength found within family bonds and the indomitable spirit of an individual facing life's harshest realities. This narrative is a symphony of emotions, a tapestry woven with love, sacrifice, and unexpected blessings. Join Tiffany as she navigates the complexities of life, proving that even in the darkest moments, light can emerge."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ricardo Almeida
• Release date: Nov 11, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215872734

Book preview

Table of Contents

Rays Of Hope (contos, #1)

You know as they say knowledge is light and ignorance is darkness.

Once you learn, all roads will be open before you.

And of course, I will do everything in my power to help you.

Gloria reassured her daughter.

Meanwhile, the girl was memorizing the rules from the school program.

Tiffany was raised by her mother and grandmother.

She never knew her father.

She was obedient and always helped around the house.

Gloria worked hard to provide everything her daughter needed.

She worked a lot and tried to spend all her rare weekends with her daughter.

But when Tiffany was in the eighth grade, she overheard a conversation between her mother and grandmother.

I still can't believe he's such a scoundrel.

Gloria said with a trembling voice,

I trusted him, Mom.

What am I going to do now?

Well, it's too late to cry now, dear, Ms. Lisa replied.

Everything is in God's hands.

If it happened this way, it must be needed by someone.

The girl couldn't understand.

What were they talking about?

Her mother always left sentences unfinished.

And suddenly Gloria said,

Will you take care of Tiffany for a few days?

I might have to go to the hospital.

Have you lost your mind?

Don't even think about it.

Ms. Lisa exclaimed,

Is this some kind of joke?

You should have thought about it in advance.

She's not a little child.

And now, don't take this thing upon yourself.

We'll raise Tiffany.

We raised one, we'll raise the other.

Hearing this, Tiffany dropped her school bag.

Her mother rushed in asking what had happened.

What's going on?

How long have you been home, Tiffany, the woman inquired?

Mommy, are you going to have a baby?

Tiffany ignored her mother's question and asked.

No.

Where did you get that idea from?

The woman tried to justify herself.

I just need to go away for a short work trip.

And during that time, you'll stay with your grandmother.

Don't lie to me, mom, the daughter pleaded.

I heard everything.

Grandma just said it out loud,

We raised one, we'll raise the other.

The woman was flustered.

She looked at her daughter and didn't know what to say.

Ms. Lisa came to her rescue.

Tiffany,

You're not a little girl anymore.

And of course, you understood everything correctly.

It just happened that you'll soon have a little brother or sister.

Mom, no.

Gloria wanted her mother to stop.

Tiffany, that's not true.

Grandma just misunderstood everything.

Unexpectedly, the girl smiled widely,

approached her mother and hugged her tightly.

Mommy, this is my dream.

I've always wanted a little sister.

You won't believe it.

But every night before sleep, I prayed for it,

and now God has heard me.

Mom, please don't go to the hospital.

I will help you with everything, along with grandma.

After hearing these words, Gloria burst into tears.

She hugged her daughter tightly,

and Ms. Lisa breathed a sigh of relief.

It's resolved.

Thank you, Lord.

And soon, a rosy-cheeked girl named Pamela

came into the world.

Tiffany, as promised, helped her mother in every way.

While she was in class, her grandmother

looked after the little one.

Gloria had to return to work after just three months of maternity,

leave to avoid losing her job.

As father, never showed any interest in his daughter.

So just like with Tiffany, there was a dash in the birth certificate.

Ms. Lisa adored her granddaughters.

She worried that the girls would follow in their mother's footsteps.

Often, while hugging the girls and stroking their hair,

the grandmother would say,

You are my little orphans.

Tiffany couldn't understand why her grandmother said that.

After all, orphans were those who had no one.

But Ms. Lisa seemed convinced.

By the end of Tiffany's 11th grade,

Ms. Lisa unexpectedly fell seriously ill.

Doctors couldn't determine the exact diagnosis,

so they treated her for everything at once.

But her condition worsened with each passing day.

The vibrant, energetic woman from not long ago was fading away before their eyes.

On the day Tiffany received her high school diploma,

her grandmother passed away.

Tiffany decided to find a job to help her mother,

but Gloria insisted that she continue her education.

Tiffany easily got into college.

Now she had little time for her sister,

but she still helped her mother as much as she could.

Pamela grew up as a smart, curious, and very active child.

She was constantly following her older sister around,

eagerly awaiting Tiffany's return from school.

Pamela could sit for hours next to Tiffany, observing her studying.

However, tragedy struck their family during Tiffany's third year of college.

Pamela was five and a half years old at the time.

Gloria suddenly fell seriously ill.

As it often happens, she didn't attach much importance to her discomfort,

assuming it was just a common cold.

She didn't even take sick leave, deciding to continue working.

But with each passing day, her condition worsened.

When she was rushed to the hospital with a temperature of nearly 40 degrees,

it was already too late.

The doctors did what they could, but she passed away within six months.

After burying her mother, Tiffany was left alone with little Pamela

in their two-room apartment on the outskirts of the city,

which they inherited from their mother.

Representatives from the guardianship authorities visited them.

After talking with the older sister and forming their own impression of Pamela's future,

they took her to an orphanage.

Despite