“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 through the familiar streets of her hometown. A decade in London had dulled many memories. She found her mothers flat using her satnav.
The front door swung open before Emily could ring the bell. Her mother stood thereageing, weary.
“So youve finally come,” Margaret said curtly. “Come in.”
Emily stepped inside. Teenagers crowded the 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 gave Emily a once-over. The designer coat, the luxury handbag, the polished shoesall marked her as a successful city professional.
“Shes got such a nice car,” the girl whispered to her brother.
“Hush, Lily,” their mother snapped.
A middle-aged man emerged from the kitchen. The stepfather gave Emily a silent nod. His gaze lingered on her clothes before settling on her expensive watch.
The living room held a worn sofa and scuffed armchairs. The telly looked well past its prime. Emily sat, taking in her surroundings.
“As you can see, we live simply,” her mother began.
Emily nodded.
“James works as a foreman at the factory,” Margaret continued. “The wages arent much. And the kids need so many things.”
The teenage son hunched in a corner, glued to his cracked phone screen. Lily fiddled with the frayed sleeve of her jumper.
“Mum, when will you buy me new trainers?” the girl demanded. “Everyone at school has decent ones, and Im stuck with these old things.”
“Lily, not now,” her mother hissed.
Emily stayed quiet. The tension thickened.
“You must be tired from the journey?” the stepfather asked.
“A bit,” Emily admitted.
“And your job in Londongoing well?” her mother pressed.
“Yes, everythings fine.”
“I heard your father left you the business,” Margaret ventured carefully. “Things must be doing well there?”
Emily sighed. Yesterday, shed met with the company manager. The scale of operations had stunned her. The firm turned over millions.
“Yes, things are going well,” she said.
James exchanged a glance with his wife. Something calculating flashed in their eyes.
“Emily, could we talk?” her mother asked. “In private.”
They retreated to the bedroom. Margaret shut the door.
“Love, you see how we live,” she began softly. “The kids need so much. Lily needs a maths tutor. And Thomas wants to take coding classes.”
Emily listened in silence.
“Jamess job might have layoffs coming,” her mother went on. “We dont know what to do. And now youve come into all this money…”
“Mum, Ive only just arrived,” Emily said gently. “Lets give Dad a proper send-off first.”
“Of course, of course,” Margaret agreed. “But you understandfamily is family. Your father always said we should look after each other.”
Emily nodded. She didnt want an argument.
Back in the living room, she walked in on a hushed discussion. James was whispering to the children. They fell silent when she entered.
“Emily, how long will you be in town?” the stepfather asked.
“Im not sure yet. I need to sort Dads affairs.”
“Is the house he left you big?” Lily asked.
“Lily!” her mother scolded.
“What? Im just curious,” the girl shrugged.
Thomas finally looked up from his phone.
“Is it true your dad had a construction firm? Must be cool to be the boss.”
Emily studied this family and understoodit was all about money. Her money. No one asked how she was coping with her fathers death. No one cared about her plans.
“Right, Ill head to 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, pulling her into a tight hug.
“Think about what I said. Family comes first.”
Emily returned to the hotel heavy-hearted. Her mothers words echoed in her mind. The next day, she bid farewell to her father. The service was modest. Her mothers family kept their distance.
After the burial, Margaret approached her.
“Come for dinner tomorrow. Aunt Valerie and Uncle Peter are coming. We need to talk as a family.”
Emily nodded. Refusing wouldve been awkward.
The following evening, she arrived at her mothers flat. Relatives sat at the tableAunt Valerie and Uncle Peter. Their expressions were grave.
“Sit down, Emily,” her mother gestured to an empty chair.
The air was thick with tension. Lily and Thomas watched Emily sidelong.
“Weve been thinking,” Margaret began. “Your father was always fair. He loved family.”
Aunt Valerie nodded.
“William always spoke of family valueshow relatives should support each other.”
“And your point is?” Emily asked carefully.
Uncle Peter cleared his throat.
“See, Emily, youve inherited a fortune. Meanwhile, your brother and sister are struggling.”
“Its not right,” the aunt added. “One child rich, the others poor.”
Emily tensed. This was taking a nasty turn.
“We think,” her mother continued, “you should share with Lily and Thomas. At least give them half.”
“What?” Emily couldnt believe her ears.
“Whats so wrong with that?” James shrugged. “A proper daughter wouldnt leave family in need.”
“Your father would have wanted you to share with your siblings,” her mother said coolly.
Lily looked hopeful. Thomas, too, waited for an answer.
“You see,” Aunt Valerie cut in, “its family duty. You were in London for ten years. Never helped. Nows your chance to make it right.”
“Exactly,” Uncle Peter agreed. “Fairs fair. The kids deserve equal shares.”
Emily scanned the faces around her. All eyes were on her, expectant.
“I dont owe anyone anything,” she said quietly.
“How can you say that?” her mother exploded. “Were your family!”
Emily replied,
“If Dad wanted the inheritance split, hed have put it in his will. He never mentioned you in our talks. Never said he loved you. And why would he? You became strangers! Im his only child!”
Margaret seethed.
“Oh, is that it? So we mean nothing to you?”
“Not like that”
“No?” her mother cut in. “Then prove it! Give the kids their share!”
James leaned forward.
“Emily, be reasonable. Youve got millions. Were barely getting by.”
“Lilys applying to uni soon,” the aunt added. “No money for her tuition.”
“And Thomas needs a proper computer for school,” Uncle Peter said.
Emily saw the childrens facesresentment and hope mingled in their eyes.
“Choose,” her mother said coldly. “Share the inheritance, or lose your family for good.”
Silence fell. Emily stood slowly.
“No,” she said firmly.
Margaret shot up, knocking over her chair.
“What?! Have you no shame?! How can you look at these kids and refuse?!”
“Selfish cow!” Aunt Valerie shouted, waving her arms. “Ten years gone! Couldnt even visit for your mothers birthday!”
“Cold-hearted,” the stepfather muttered, glaring. “Thought you had some decency left.”
Lily burst into tears.
“I thought… we all thought… And you…”
Thomas stared, teenage rage burning in his eyes.
“You rolled up in a flash car!” he spat. “Your bag costs more than our weekly shop! And I cant even get new clothes!”
“Lads right,” James nodded. “Youre living it up while we scrape by.”
Emily moved to leave, but her mother blocked her.
“Stop!” Margaret shrieked, grabbing her arm. “Walk out now, and dont come back! Youre no daughter of mine!”
“Ill tell everyone how tight you are!” the aunt threatened. “The whole townll know you abandoned family!”
“Every shop, every doctors surgery!” her mother raged. “People will know!”
“And your business will suffer,” James warned coldly. “Ive got contacts. Well make life hell for you here.”
“Just go!” Lily sobbed. “Dont ever come back! Well manage without you!”
“Family disgrace!” Uncle Peter added. “Your fathers turning in his grave!”
Emily pushed past her mother. Shouts followed her:
“I disown you!” Margaret screamed. “May you die alone!”
“Youll regret this!” Aunt Valerie yelled. “Mark my words!”
The door slammed. The shouting continued through the walls.
Next day, Emily moved into her fathers house. She changed the locks and tidied up. The place was spacious, welcoming.
A year passed. Her mother still hadnt spoken
