My Stepmother Threatened to Keep My Father’s Inheritance Unless I Buy My Stepsister a House — Story of the Day

I stood there, my dress sticking to my back, listening to people say how kind Raymond had been.

I watched Lydia stand beside the casket, dabbing her eyes with a perfectly folded tissue. Chloe sniffled into her shoulder.

I could almost see Dad leaning against that old oak tree, rolling his eyes at all this fake crying.

Hours later, we all gathered in the old living room. Mr. Whitaker, the family attorney, cleared his throat.

“Raymond left clear instructions.

The house goes to Hannah.”

Then he flipped to the last page and frowned.

“However… there’s an addendum. It says the final decision about transferring the deed depends on… the good judgment of Lydia.”

I felt the blood drain from my face.

“It means your father wanted to ensure… certain conditions were met. Lydia will decide the specific terms.

You’ll need to agree and carry them out. I’m here to supervise that the agreement is fulfilled.”

WHAT?

Raymond had never spoken of conditions. He would never…

I looked at Lydia.

She sat there, eyes wide, voice sugar-sweet.

She leaned closer to Whitaker. “We’ll have a family meeting. Then I’ll let you know our final decision.”

Whitaker packed up his papers and left.

As soon as the front door shut, Lydia turned to me. The softness in her eyes died instantly.

My sweet, grieving stepmother was gone in a blink.

All that was left was Lydia. Calculating, hungry, ready to squeeze every last piece of my father’s promise out of me.

“If you want this house — the house your dear father wanted you to have — you’ll buy Chloe an apartment. One she deserves.”

She smiled that sickly-sweet smile.Continue reading…