**Diary Entry**
*”Your father would have wanted you to share with your brothers and sisters,”* Mum said, trying to secure her childrens future at my expense.
I drove slowly through the familiar streets of my hometown. Ten years in the city had dulled so many memories. I found my way to her flat using the satnav.
The front door swung open before I could ring the bell. Mum stood thereolder, weary.
*”So youve finally come,”* she said, her voice flat. *”Come in.”*
I stepped inside. Teenagers lingered in the narrow hallway. My stepbrother and stepsister eyed me with open curiosity.
*”Kids, this is Emily,”* Mum introduced me. *”Your sister.”*
A girl around fourteen openly looked me up and downthe designer coat, the expensive handbag, the polished shoes. All of it marked me as someone whod done well for herself.
*”Shes got a really nice car,”* the girl whispered to her brother.
*”Hush, Lily,”* Mum snapped.
A middle-aged man emerged from the kitchen. My stepfather gave me a curt nod. His gaze lingered on my watch.
The living room was worn but tidy. The sofa sagged, the telly looked ancient. I sat, taking it all in.
*”As you can see, we dont live lavishly,”* Mum began.
I nodded.
*”Arthur works as a foreman at the factory,”* she went on. *”Wages arent what they used to be. And the kids need so much.”*
The boy slouched in the corner, glued to his cracked phone. Lily tugged at the frayed sleeve of her jumper.
*”Mum, when are you getting me new trainers?”* she whined. *”Everyone at school has decent ones, and Im stuck with these rags.”*
*”Not now, Lily,”* Mum hissed.
I stayed quiet. The air grew thick with tension.
*”You must be tired from the drive?”* my stepfather asked.
*”A bit,”* I admitted.
*”And your job in Londongoing well?”* Mum pressed.
*”Yes, fine.”*
*”I heard your father left you the company,”* she said cautiously. *”Business must be good?”*
I sighed. Just yesterday, Id met with the managing director. The scale of the operation had stunned me. Annual turnover in the tens of millions.
*”Yes, its doing well,”* I said.
Arthur and Mum exchanged a look. Something calculating flickered in their eyes.
*”Emily, could we talk?”* Mum asked. *”Just us.”*
We stepped into the bedroom. She shut the door.
*”Love, you see how we live,”* she began quietly. *”The kids need so much. Lily needs maths tutoring. James wants coding classes.”*
I listened in silence.
*”Theres talk of redundancies at Arthurs work,”* she continued. *”We dont know what well do. And now youve come into all this…”*
*”Mum, Ive only just arrived,”* I said gently. *”Lets give Dad a proper send-off first.”*
*”Of course,”* she agreed. *”But family is family. Your father always said we look after each other.”*
I nodded. No point arguing.
Back in the living room, I walked in on a hushed conversation. Arthur was whispering to the kids. They fell silent when they saw me.
*”Emily, how long are you staying?”* my stepfather asked.
*”Not sure. Ive got Dads affairs to sort.”*
*”Is the house he left you big?”* Lily blurted.
*”Lily!”* Mum scolded.
*”What? Just asking,”* she shrugged.
James finally looked up from his phone.
*”Is it true your dad had a property firm? Must be minted, being the boss.”*
I looked at them and understoodthis was about money. *My* money. No one asked how I was coping with Dads death. No one cared about my plans.
*”Right, Ill head to a hotel,”* I said, standing.
*”What hotel?”* Mum protested. *”Youre home! Stay with us.”*
*”No, Id rather rest alone.”*
Mum walked me to the door, hugging me tightly.
*”Think about what I said. Family comes first.”*
I left with a heavy heart. Her words gnawed at me. The next day, we buried Dad. The service was simple. Mums family kept their distance.
Afterwards, she cornered me.
*”Come for dinner tomorrow. Aunt Margaret and Uncle David are coming. We need to talk things throughas a family.”*
I nodded. Refusing wouldve been awkward.
That evening, the table was full. Aunt Margaret and Uncle David sat stiffly. The mood was grim.
*”Sit, Emily,”* Mum gestured to an empty chair.
Lily and James watched me, silent but expectant.
*”Weve been thinking,”* Mum started. *”Your father was a fair man. He valued family.”*
Aunt Margaret nodded.
*”Robert always said blood looks after blood.”*
*”What are you getting at?”* I asked carefully.
Uncle David cleared his throat.
*”Emily, youve inherited a fortune. Meanwhile, your brother and sister are struggling.”*
*”Its not right,”* Aunt Margaret added. *”One child rolling in it, the others barely scraping by.”*
I tensed.
*”We think,”* Mum went on, *”you should share. At least give them half.”*
*”What?”* I couldnt believe my ears.
*”Whats so wrong with that?”* Arthur shrugged. *”A proper daughter wouldnt leave her family in need.”*
*”Your father wouldve wanted you to share,”* Mum said coldly.
Lily looked at me, hopeful. James waited, jaw tight.
*”Its your duty,”* Aunt Margaret cut in. *”You swanned off to London for years. Never lifted a finger. Nows your chance to make it right.”*
*”A fair share,”* Uncle David added. *”Thats all were asking.”*
I scanned their facesall watching, waiting.
*”I dont owe anyone anything,”* I said softly.
*”How can you say that?”* Mum exploded. *”Were your family!”*
I met her gaze.
*”If Dad wanted to split the inheritance, hed have put it in his will. He never mentioned you. Never said he loved you. And why would he? You were strangers! I was his only child.”*
Mums face twisted.
*”So thats it? Youre turning your back on us?”*
*”Not exactly”*
*”Then prove it!”* she shouted. *”Give them their share!”*
Arthur leaned forward.
*”Be sensible. Youve got millions. Were barely keeping afloat.”*
*”Lilys applying to uni soon,”* Aunt Margaret added. *”No money for tuition.”*
*”James needs a laptop for school,”* Uncle David said.
I saw the kids faceshope and resentment warring in their eyes.
*”Choose,”* Mum said coldly. *”Share the inheritance, or lose your family for good.”*
Silence. I stood.
*”No.”*
Mum shot up, knocking her chair over.
*”What?! Have you no shame?! How can you look at these children and refuse?!”*
*”Selfish cow!”* Aunt Margaret shrieked. *”Ten years gone, not even a birthday card!”*
*”Heartless,”* Arthur muttered, glaring. *”Thought you had some decency left.”*
Lily burst into tears.
*”I hoped we all hoped And you”*
James stared, furious.
*”You turned up in a posh car!”* he spat. *”Your bag costs more than our food bill! And we cant even afford new clothes!”*
*”Hes right,”* Arthur said. *”Youre living it up while were drowning.”*
I moved to leave, but Mum blocked me.
*”Stop!”* she screamed, gripping my arm. *”Walk out now, and dont come back! Youre no daughter of mine!”*
*”Ill tell everyone how stingy you are!”* Aunt Margaret threatened. *”The whole village will know!”*
*”Ill make sure of it!”* Mum raged. *”Shops, doctorseveryone!”*
*”And your business wont escape unscathed,”* Arthur warned coldly. *”Ive got mates. Well make life hell for you here.”*
*
