Your father would have wanted you to share with your brothers and sisters, my mother said, trying to secure her childrens future at my expense.
Emily drove slowly along the familiar streets of her hometown. A decade in London had faded many memories. She reached her mothers flat using her satnav.
The front door swung open before Emily could ring. Her mother stood thereolder, weary. So youve finally come, Margaret said tersely. Come in.
Emily stepped inside. Teenagers crowded the narrow hallway. Her stepbrother and stepsister eyed her with open curiosity.
Kids, this is Emily, their mother introduced her. Your sister.
A girl of about fourteen studied Emily openlythe designer coat, the pricey handbag, the polished shoesall marks of a successful Londoner.
Shes got a posh car, the girl whispered to her brother.
Hush, Sophie, their mother snapped.
A middle-aged man emerged from the kitchen. Her stepfather gave Emily a silent nod, his gaze lingering on her expensive watch.
The sitting room held a worn sofa and scuffed armchairs. The telly looked ancient. Emily sat, taking it all in.
As you can see, we manage, her mother began.
Emily nodded.
David works as a foreman at the factory, Margaret went on. The wages arent much. And the kids need so much.
The teenage boy sat glued to his phone, its screen cracked. Sophie tugged at the frayed sleeve of her jumper.
Mum, when are you getting me new trainers? she demanded. Everyone at school has decent ones, and Im stuck with these.
Sophie, not now, her mother hissed.
Emily stayed quiet. The tension thickened.
Tired from the trip? the stepfather asked.
A bit, Emily admitted.
Your job in London treating you well? her mother pressed.
Yes, its fine.
I heard your father left you the company, Margaret ventured carefully. Must be doing well?
Emily sighed. The day before, shed met the manager. The businesss scale had stunned herturnover in the millions.
Yes, its doing well, she said.
David exchanged a glance with his wife. Something calculating flashed in their eyes.
Emily, could we talk? her mother asked. Privately.
They retreated to the bedroom. Margaret shut the door.
Love, you see how we live, she began quietly. The kids need so much. Sophie needs a maths tutor. And James wants coding courses.
Emily listened in silence.
Davids job might have layoffs, her mother continued. Were at our wits end. And now youve come into all this money
Mum, Ive only just arrived, Emily gently interrupted. Lets give Dad a proper farewell first.
Of course, Margaret agreed. But family is family. Your father always said we must help each other.
Emily nodded. Arguing was pointless.
Back in the sitting room, she walked into a hushed discussion. David was whispering to the kids. They fell silent when she entered.
Emily, how long are you staying? the stepfather asked.
Not sure yet. Ive Dads affairs to sort.
Is the house he left big? Sophie asked.
Sophie! her mother scolded.
What? Just curious, the girl shrugged.
James finally looked up from his phone. Your dad had a construction firm, yeah? Must be minted being the boss.
Emily studied themeverything revolved around money. *Her* money. No one asked how she grieved. No one cared about her plans.
Right, Ill book into a hotel, Emily said, standing.
What hotel? her mother protested. Youre home. Stay with us.
No, Mum. Id rather rest alone.
Margaret walked her to the door, hugging her tightly. Think on what I said. Family comes first.
Emily returned to the hotel heavy-hearted. Her mothers words looped in her mind. The next day, she bid her father farewell. The service was simple. Her mothers family kept their distance.
Afterwards, Margaret approached. Come for dinner tomorrow. Aunt Valerie and Uncle Peter are coming. We must discuss things as a family.
Emily nodded. Refusing wouldve been awkward.
The following evening, she arrived to find relatives seated solemnly at the table.
Sit, Emily, her mother gestured.
The air was thick. Sophie and James watched her sidelong.
Weve been thinking, Margaret began. Your father was fair. He valued family.
Aunt Valerie nodded. Geoffrey always spoke of family dutyhow kin should support each other.
What are you getting at? Emily asked carefully.
Uncle Peter cleared his throat. You see, Emily, youve a large inheritance. Your siblings struggle.
It isnt right, the aunt added. One child rich, the others poor.
Emily tensed.
We think, her mother said, you should share with Sophie and James. At least half.
What? Emily couldnt believe her ears.
Whats so awful? David shrugged. A true sister wouldnt leave family wanting.
Your father wouldve wanted you to share, Margaret said coldly.
Sophie looked hopeful. James waited, fists clenched.
Its family duty, Aunt Valerie pressed. Youve been in London ten years, never helping. Now you can set things right.
Justice matters, Uncle Peter added. The kids deserve equal shares.
Emily scanned their expectant faces.
Im not obliged to give anything, she said quietly.
How dare you? her mother exploded. Were your family!
Emily replied, If Dad wanted it divided, hed have written so. He never mentioned you. Never spoke of love. What was there to love? You became strangers. Im his only child.
Margaret seethed.
So thats it? You dont care?
Not like this.
No? Margaret cut in. Prove it! Give them their share!
David leaned forward. Emily, be reasonable. Youve millions. We scrape by.
Sophies applying to uni, the aunt said. No money for it.
James needs a laptop for school, Uncle Peter added.
Emily saw their eyesresentment and hope.
Choose, her mother hissed. Share the inheritance, or lose your family.
Silence. Emily stood.
No, she said firmly.
Margarets chair clattered as she shot up. Have you no shame? How can you deny them?
Selfish girl! Aunt Valerie shouted. Ten years gone, not even a birthday visit!
Heartless, David muttered, glaring.
Sophie burst into tears. We hoped and you
Jamess voice shook with rage. You rolled up in a flash car! Your bag costs more than our food bill! We cant even afford decent clothes!
The lads right, David nodded. You live in luxury while we struggle.
Emily moved to leave, but Margaret blocked her. Walk out now, and dont return! Youre no daughter of mine!
Ill tell the whole village! the aunt threatened. Theyll know you abandoned family!
Ill make sure of it! Margaret spat. Shops, clinicseveryone will know!
Your business will suffer, David warned coldly. Ive connections. Well make life hard.
Go! Sophie cried. Never come back! Well manage!
A disgrace! Uncle Peter added. Your fathers turning in his grave!
Emily pushed past. Shouts chased her:
I curse you! Margaret screamed. May you never know happiness!
Youll die alone! Aunt Valerie yelled.
The door slammed. The shouting still seeped through.
The next day, Emily moved into her fathers house. She changed the locks, tidied the rooms. It was spacious, warm.
A year passed. Margaret still refused to speak. Neighbours whispered:
See how tight-fisted she is, they muttered. Money over family.
No heart, the old women clucked.
But Emily didnt care. The business thrived; new contracts rolled in. She built homes, created jobs. Her fathers legacy lived.
She remembered why her parents split. Her father was starting outbroke. Her mother left for David, then well-off. Her father never recovered. He poured his love into Emilyraised her, sent her to London, helped her succeed. He never mentioned Margarets new family.
Now her mother pretended the past didnt existand demanded a piece of what her father built. But Emily wouldnt dismantle his lifes work.
Evenings, she sat in his armchair, flipping through old photos. She knew shed done right. Shed honoured his trust.
The relatives stopped calling. Ties were
