Karma Tales
The Landlord’s Letter — Chapter 2
When old Mr. Hartley died, every tenant expected a rent hike from his heir. Instead, they each received a letter — and what was inside left the whole building in tears.
At seven o'clock, twenty-three tenants stood in the courtyard holding their unopened letters, rain dripping from the awnings. Marcus Hartley stood before them — younger than expected, nervous, holding a letter of his own.
"My father left instructions," Marcus said quietly. "He said if you're all here, I should read mine first."
He broke the seal and read aloud: "Marcus, my boy. You always said sentiment doesn't pay the bills. You were right — it pays something better. This building was never an investment. It was a promise I made to your mother before she died: that no one under my roof would ever fear losing their home. The building is yours, but the promise comes with it. The choice is yours too."
Marcus folded the letter with shaking hands. "I came here planning to sell," he admitted. "I had a buyer. Twice the market value."
Mrs. Abernathy clutched her envelope tighter. A young mother holding a sleeping toddler started to cry silently.
"But first," Marcus said, "open yours."