“Listen, Mum and your brother are coming to split the inheritanceyouve robbed him, youve got no shame.”
“Get ready, Mum and your brother are coming for the inheritance. Youve cheated himyouve got no conscience.”
Id given up my share of the inheritance for my dad, but in the end, he left me the entire flat. His words still echo in my mind: “Youll understand later. Just dont trust themtheyll lie.” Back then, I didnt know who he meant, but now it all makes sense.
My names Emily. Ive got an aunt, LucyMums younger sister. They hadnt spoken in years. The word was that Lucy had swiped our grandmothers inheritance for herself. I knew I had cousins, Jack and Sophie. We played together as kids, but we drifted apart. Recently, Sophie found me on social media and told me things that sent chills down my spine.
The last few years have been nothing but grief. Mum passed three years ago. Dad held on just long enough to see me finish uni in Manchester, then followed her. They loved each other so muchhe adored her, bought her flowers, put her on a pedestal. I dont think he ever got over losing her.
After Mum died, Dad inherited half the flat. I signed my share over to him, but to my surprise, he left the whole thing to me. “Youll understand why later,” he said. “Dont trust them.” I tried asking who “they” were and what lies he meant, but he dodged the question.
Six months after his funeral, Sophie reached out. She reminded me she was Lucys daughter and said shed be in Manchester soon. “We need to talk,” she wrote. “Big news.” I saw no reason to refuse. I gave her my address and number, telling her to call before showing up.
Sophie arrived a week later. I met her at the stationshe seemed jumpy. Walking into the flat, she murmured, “Nice place. Shame youll have to leave soon.” In the kitchen, she spilled everything: Jack was my half-brother. She didnt know the details, but she reckoned thats why Gran left everything to Lucy instead of splitting it between the sisters.
Sophie told me Dad had been with Lucy first, left her when she got pregnant, then married Mum. “Mum and Jack are coming for their share,” she warned. “Be ready.”
I was stunned. Jack wouldnt get a pennythe flat was mine, Dads savings (kept under the mattress because he didnt trust banks), and the car, which Id bought myself. Everything he had was now mine. The half-brother story seemed wildDad loved Mum too much for that. But lifes full of surprises.
“Thanks for the heads-up, Sophie,” I said. “Let them come if they daretheyll leave with nothing but their lies.”
And I got ready to face them, knowing the truth, like always, would come out in the end.
