Gregory had always kept the contents of the cellar locked away, a secret that remained untouched for years. He’d firmly established that no one, not even his children, was allowed to go near the cellar. Every time they attempted to sneak a look, his frustration grew. “You’re not allowed to go down there! How many times have I told you?” Gregory would snap at them, and they would retreat with their curiosity unsatisfied. Even his wife, Mirtha, couldn’t understand why Gregory insisted on keeping the cellar a mystery. “You said that was your man cave, Gregory. I don’t see why the kids can’t go in,” she would protest. But Gregory remained steadfast, determined that whatever lay in that cellar was his to guard, and it was no one else’s business. Despite her own frustrations, Mirtha was ultimately unable to break through Gregory’s resolve.
Mirtha’s Growing Frustration
As years passed, Gregory’s children grew up, and the mystery of the cellar faded into the background. But Mirtha’s desire to uncover its contents only deepened. She could never understand why Gregory refused to let her or anyone else in. “I have a right to know what’s in my house!” she would exclaim in frustration, but Gregory remained adamant. His refusal to reveal his secret space pushed Mirtha further, and she began to take matters into her own hands. When Gregory hired a new maid, Rose, he specifically told her not to go near the cellar. But under Mirtha’s encouragement, Rose started searching for a way inside. One day, Gregory returned home early to find Rose in his office, rifling through his desk drawers. No cleaning supplies were in her hands, and her startled reaction told him everything. She had been searching for the keys to the cellar. Rose admitted it was Mirtha’s request. In that moment, Gregory’s trust in his maid was shattered, and he fired her on the spot. Though Rose apologized, Gregory knew he couldn’t have someone working in his home who couldn’t respect his boundaries.
Conflict Escalates
When Mirtha found out what happened, she was furious. She couldn’t believe that Gregory had fired Rose for something she had instigated. “I can’t believe you would fire her just like that! It was my fault. That poor girl didn’t deserve that!” she yelled. Gregory, however, was unmoved by her anger. He explained that he had already arranged for Rose to be hired elsewhere, but Mirtha’s outburst only intensified. The confrontation reached a breaking point as Gregory finally made it clear: “If you can’t handle this, then maybe we need to go our separate ways.” It was a hard statement, but Gregory was determined not to let anyone violate his privacy. In the end, Mirtha, despite her anger, could not bring herself to force Gregory into revealing the secret of the cellar. She apologized, realizing that the fight wasn’t worth losing her marriage over.
Donna’s Arrival and New Boundaries
In the wake of the heated conflict, Gregory hired Donna, a young woman he hoped would be just as trustworthy as Rose had once been. Donna proved to be an excellent choice—she was diligent, reliable, and respected Gregory’s privacy. He also took extra precautions, installing cameras in his office and near the cellar entrance to ensure that no one would attempt to breach his private space again. Donna carried out her duties without prying, and Gregory was relieved that she never tried to uncover the mystery of the cellar. As time passed, she became a more integral part of their home, and Gregory found comfort in her company. His children trusted Donna, and over time, she came to occupy a special place in the household, caring for Gregory after Mirtha’s death.
The Hidden Truth and Mirtha’s Final Words
Mirtha’s passing was a turning point for Gregory. As he entered his retirement years, Donna took on even more responsibilities, assisting with household chores, cooking, and even acting as Gregory’s caretaker as his own health began to decline. She became his trusted companion during a difficult time, but Gregory remained unaware of one crucial detail: Mirtha had shared a secret with Donna on her deathbed. Gregory’s wife had told Donna something about the cellar, something that would soon come to light. The mystery that had surrounded Gregory’s secret space for so many years was finally about to be unraveled—but Gregory had no idea that his late wife had left him one last surprise.
