Dad’s jaw tightened.
«You think you’re ready to take on everything in that estate? The debts? The legal headaches? You’ll drown, Sam.»
Rebecca stepped up behind me.
«Or maybe she’ll swim just fine, without people trying to tie bricks to her ankles.»
Mom’s eyes narrowed at Rebecca, then flicked back to me.
«You’re being manipulated.»
I almost laughed.
«By the one person in my life who actually shows up for me? No, I think that’s your department.»
I stepped forward, forcing my dad to move his arm and push the door open fully. But before I could cross the threshold, his voice stopped me.
«If you do this, Sam, we’re done.»
The words were sharp, final. I turned back, meeting his stare.
My heart was pounding so hard I could hear it in my ears, but my voice was steady.
«You were done with me the day you decided I wasn’t worth showing up for.»
Then I walked inside, letting the glass door shut behind me with a clean, satisfying click.
The air inside the law office was cool and faintly smelled of polished wood and paper. A receptionist in a navy blouse looked up from her desk.
«Can I help you?» she asked politely.
«Yes,» I said, steadying my breath. «I have an appointment with Michael Turner, Samantha Reed.»
She checked her screen, nodded, and motioned to the hallway.
«He’s expecting you.»
Those three words sent a ripple of unease through me. Expecting me.
That meant this meeting had been set in motion before I even knew it existed. Rebecca gave my arm a small squeeze as we followed the receptionist down the hallway. Michael Turner’s office door was already open.
He was standing behind a mahogany desk, silver-haired, sharply dressed, and holding a folder thick enough to make my pulse spike.
«Samantha,» he said warmly, gesturing to the chair across from him. «Please, sit.»
I sank into the seat, clutching my bag.
«I just got your letter.»
«I know,» he said, folding his hands over the folder, «and I also know your family probably tried to get to you first.»
I gave a humorless laugh.
«You could say that.»
He nodded slightly, as if this confirmed something he’d expected.
Then he opened the folder and slid a stack of papers toward me.
«Your grandmother’s estate is substantial. Real estate holdings, investments, liquid assets. She named you sole beneficiary in her final will, signed eight months before her death.»
My throat tightened, but they told me she died broke. His eyes softened.
«They didn’t want you to know. The will was contested immediately after her passing. Your father and his sister filed claims, but they were dismissed. However, because you were under the impression she had no estate, you never claimed the assets. The accounts have been sitting, waiting.»
I stared at the numbers on the page, more zeros than I’d ever seen attached to my name.
«And there’s one more thing,» Michael continued. «Your grandmother wrote a letter to accompany the will. It’s personal.»
He handed me a cream-colored envelope. My hands shook as I opened it and unfolded the page.
My dearest Sam, I know they’ve made you feel like the smallest voice in the room.
I want you to know, you were always the one I trusted. The only one who didn’t look at me for what I could give, but for who I was. This is yours, because I know you’ll do good with it.
Don’t let them take it from you. I swallowed hard, my vision blurring for a moment. Rebecca leaned in.
«Sam, this changes everything.»
I looked at Michael.
«What happens now?»
«You can claim the assets immediately. Or if you’d like, we can arrange a formal reading of the will with your family present.» His lips twitched slightly. «That tends to make things very clear.»
I didn’t even hesitate.
«Set the meeting.»
Two days later, we sat in the same office.
But this time, mom, dad, and Danielle were across from me. The tension was so thick you could hear the faint hum of the air conditioner over our breathing. Michael read the will aloud, every word like a hammer to the lies they’d built.
When he finished, the silence was deafening. Dad’s face flushed an ugly red.
«This… this is ridiculous. She can’t…»
«She can,» Michael interrupted smoothly. «And she did. The court has already dismissed your prior claims.»
Mom’s lips pressed so tight they turned white. Danielle’s eyes darted between us, calculating, scrambling. I set my grandmother’s letter on the desk between us, my voice calm but edged with steel.