When Grandma passed away, I was certain the farm would be mine. I had spent years working alongside her, learning the land and pouring my heart into every inch of it. But when the lawyer finished reading her will, I was in disbelief. The farm wasn’t mine—it belonged to my cousin Felicity, a woman who only saw dollar signs in our family’s legacy. All I received was a cryptic letter and the right to stay on the farm—for now. But I knew there was more to this, and I was determined to uncover the truth.
As the lawyer’s voice faded, I sat there stunned. The farm, the soul of our family, was now in Felicity’s hands. Felicity, who had barely set foot on the property. Felicity, who only saw the farm as a backdrop for her social media posts. Meanwhile, I had sacrificed mornings, working long hours under the sun, tending to the animals and crops. Yet, here I was, with nothing.
“Are you alright, Diana?” the lawyer asked, his voice pulling me back to reality.
I nodded, afraid my voice would crack if I spoke. He handed me a letter from Grandma. Her handwriting covered the page:
“My dearest Diana,
If you’re reading this, it’s time for a choice. I know how much you love the farm, just as I did. But I had to ensure the true caretaker of the land would emerge. That’s why I left the farm to Felicity for now, but I’ve given you the right to live there as long as you wish. The farm cannot be sold while you remain on it. Be patient, my dear. The second part of my will shall be revealed in three months.
Love,
Grandma.”
Tears welled in my eyes as I read her words. Why would she leave the farm to Felicity? It felt like a cruel test. Did she think I wasn’t worthy after all my years of dedication? Felicity, meanwhile, seemed thrilled, already talking to her husband about selling the farm to developers for a quick profit.
Later, Felicity approached me with a smug smile and a proposal.
“Why don’t you take the money, Diana? Sell your share and move on. You could get a nice place in the city.”
I clenched my fists and replied evenly, “This isn’t about money, Felicity. It’s about family.”
She shrugged, uninterested. To her, the farm was just a business opportunity, a payday. But to me, it was home, filled with memories of Grandma and everything she had taught me.
That night, I couldn’t sleep. The farm meant too much to me to give up, and by morning, I’d made my decision. I took a leave of absence from my city job to stay on the farm and fight for it.
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