MY MOTHER TOLD ME TO GIVE MY STEPSISTER MY FATHER’S HOUSE — SO I LEFT WITHOUT TELLING HER WHAT WAS IN THE SAFE

MY MOTHER TOLD ME TO GIVE MY STEPSISTER MY FATHER’S HOUSE — SO I LEFT WITHOUT TELLING HER WHAT WAS IN THE SAFE

The moment my mother said, “Give your stepsister the house,” I realized she had no idea what she was asking for.

Marissa was standing beside her, smiling.

“I've always loved this place,” she said.

I looked at my mother.

“You're serious?”

“Completely.”

My mother folded her arms.

“Marissa is getting married. She needs somewhere to start her life.”

“And I don't?”

“You're thirty-two. You can manage.”

I almost laughed.

“Manage what?”

“Your own life.”

Marissa picked up the keys from the kitchen counter.

“Mom already said I could have the master bedroom.”

I stared at her.

“You don't live here.”

She smiled.

“Not yet.”

My mother slammed her palm against the counter.

“Enough!”

The room went silent.

“You've always been selfish,” she said. “Your father spoiled you, and now you think everything belongs to you.”

I felt something inside me go completely still.

“My father?”

“Yes.”

“You mean the man who left this house to me?”

My mother's face changed.

Marissa stopped smiling.

“What are you talking about?” she asked.

I looked at her.

“You never read the trust documents, did you?”