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 faded many memories. She found her mothers flat using her satnav.
The front door swung open before Emily could ring the bell. Her mother stood thereolder, wearier. So youve finally come, Margaret Wilson said curtly. Come in.
Emily stepped inside. Teenagers crowded the narrow hallway. Her stepbrother and stepsister eyed her with undisguised curiosity.
Kids, this is Emily, their mother introduced her. Your sister.
A girl of about fourteen looked Emily up and downthe designer coat, the luxury handbag, the polished shoesall signs of a successful city life.
Shes got a posh car, the girl whispered to her brother.
Hush, Sophie, their mother snapped.
A middle-aged man emerged from the kitchen. The stepfather gave Emily a silent nod, his gaze lingering on her expensive watch.
The living room held a worn sofa and well-used armchairs. The telly looked like it had seen better days. Emily sat, taking it all in.
As you can see, we dont live lavishly, her mother began.
Emily nodded.
James works as a foreman at the factory, Margaret went on. The wages arent much. And the kids need so many things.
The teenage boy sat in the corner, glued to his cracked phone screen. Sophie tugged at the frayed sleeve of her jumper.
Mum, when will I get new trainers? the girl asked loudly. Everyone at school has decent ones, and Im stuck with these.
Sophie, not now, her mother hissed.
Emily stayed quiet. The tension in the room thickened.
You must be tired from the journey? the stepfather asked.
A bit, Emily admitted.
And hows your job in London? her mother probed.
Fine.
I heard your father left you the business, Margaret said carefully. Things must be going well there?
Emily sighed. Yesterday, shed met with the company manager. The scale of the enterprise had stunned herannual turnover in the millions.
Yes, its doing well, she said.
James exchanged a glance with his wife. Something calculating flickered in their eyes.
Emily, could we talk? her mother asked. Privately.
They stepped into the bedroom. Margaret shut the door.
Love, you see how we live, she began softly. The kids need so much. Sophie needs a maths tutor. Oliver wants to take coding courses.
Emily listened in silence.
There are layoffs coming at Jamess work, her mother continued. Were struggling. And now youve come into such money
Mum, Ive only just arrived, Emily said gently. Lets say a proper goodbye to Dad first.
Of course, Margaret agreed. But family is family. Your father always said we should look after each other.
Emily nodded. Arguing felt pointless.
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 are you staying? the stepfather asked.
Not sure yet. I need to sort Dads affairs.
Is the house he left big? Sophie asked.
Sophie! her mother scolded.
What? Im just curious, the girl shrugged.
Oliver finally looked up from his phone. Is it true your dad had a construction firm? Must be minted being the boss.
Emily studied them all and understoodthis was about money. Her money. No one asked how she was coping. No one cared about her plans.
I think Ill stay at a hotel, Emily said, standing.
What hotel? her mother protested. Youre home! Stay with us.
No, Mum. Id rather rest alone.
Margaret hugged her tightly at the door. Think about what I said. Family comes first.
Emily left with a heavy heart. Her mothers words echoed in her mind. The next day, she bid farewell to her father. The service was simple. 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 agreed. Refusing wouldve been awkward.
The following evening, she returned. Relatives sat around the tableAunt Valerie and Uncle Peter, their faces solemn.
Sit down, Emily, her mother gestured.
The air was thick with tension. Sophie and Oliver watched her sidelong.
Weve been thinking, Margaret began. Your father was fair. He valued family.
Aunt Valerie nodded. Robert always spoke about family dutyhow we should help each other.
What are you getting at? Emily asked carefully.
Uncle Peter cleared his throat. You see, Emily, youve inherited a fortune. Your siblings are struggling.
Its not right, the aunt added. One child wealthy, the others scraping by.
Emily tensed. The conversation was turning ugly.
We think, her mother pressed on, you should share with Sophie and Oliver. At least give them half.
What? Emily couldnt believe her ears.
Whats wrong with that? James shrugged. A proper daughter wouldnt leave her family in need.
Your father wouldve wanted you to share, Margaret said coldly.
Sophie looked at her hopefully. Oliver waited, expectant.
Youve been in London for years, Aunt Valerie chimed in. Never helped. Nows your chance to make it right.
Exactly, Uncle Peter agreed. Fairs fair. The kids deserve an equal share.
Emily scanned their facesall staring, all waiting.
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 written it in his will. He never mentioned you. Never said he loved you. And why would he? You were strangers. Im his only child.
Margarets face twisted with anger.
So thats it? You dont care?
Its not that
Prove it, then! her mother cut in. Give the children their share!
James leaned forward. Emily, be reasonable. Youre loaded. Were barely getting by.
Sophies applying to uni, the aunt added. We cant afford it.
Oliver needs a proper computer for school, Uncle Peter said.
Emily saw Sophies teary eyes, Olivers resentment.
Choose, her mother said sharply. Share the inheritance, or lose your family forever.
Silence. Emily stood slowly.
No, she said firmly.
Margaret knocked her chair over as she leapt up. How dare you?! Have you no shame?! Look at themhow can you refuse?!
Selfish cow! Aunt Valerie shrieked. Ten years gone, never even visited!
Heartless, James muttered, shaking his head. I thought you had some decency left.
Sophie burst into tears. We hoped and you just
Oliver glared, his voice trembling with rage. You rolled up in a flash car! Your bag costs more than our food bill! And Im wearing second-hand clothes!
The lads right, James said. Youre living it up while were skint.
Emily moved to leave, but Margaret blocked her. If you walk out, dont come back! Youre no daughter of mine!
Ill tell everyone how greedy you are! Aunt Valerie threatened. The whole town will know you abandoned your family!
And your business will suffer, James warned. Ive got mates. Well make your life hell.
Just go! Sophie cried. We dont need you!
Disgrace! Uncle Peter spat. Your father would be ashamed!
Emily pushed past her mother. The shouts followed her:
I curse you! Margaret screamed. May you never be happy!
Youll die alone! Aunt Valerie yelled.
The door slammed. The noise still seeped through.
The next day, Emily moved into her fathers house. She changed the locks, tidied the rooms. The place was spacious, warm.
A year passed. Her mother still refused to speak. Neighbours whispered.
See how tight she is, they said. Chose money over blood.
No heart at all, the old ladies clucked.
But Emily didnt care. The business thrived, new contracts rolled in. She built homes, created jobs. Her fathers legacy lived on.
She remembered why her parents split. Her father was starting the business, broke. Her mother left for James, who had money then. Her father never recovered. He poured his love
