Alice’s Unexpected Inheritance
After Alice’s beloved grandfather passed away, she was shocked to discover that he had left everything to her brothers, even though she had always felt closest to him. However, a visit to the old barn she had inherited would soon change everything for Alice and her family in ways she could never have imagined.
Family Background
Alice was the only daughter of her parents, who both worked on cruise ships during their younger years, meaning they were often away. To ensure stability for their children, Alice’s parents made an agreement with Alice’s grandfather, Bill, that they would stay with him while their parents traveled for work. This arrangement allowed Alice and her two older brothers, Jake and Ashton, to spend a lot of time with their grandfather.
As they grew older, Alice formed a unique bond with Bill. They were not just granddaughter and grandfather, but also the best of friends. Even after Alice’s parents found stable jobs and settled down, Alice continued visiting Bill regularly. They shared stories, dreams, and laughter, and Alice cherished their deep connection.
The Loss of a Friend
When Alice’s grandfather passed away, it devastated her. Despite knowing that Bill had lived a full and peaceful life, the pain of losing him left Alice feeling empty. Bill had been more than a grandfather—he had been a confidant, a source of wisdom, and a friend she could rely on.
The Will
It wasn’t long before the family gathered to go over Bill’s will. Alice, Jake, Ashton, and the family lawyer, Lawrence, sat in the lawyer’s office as Lawrence read out Bill’s final wishes.
As the lawyer began to speak, Jake and Ashton were eager to know what they would inherit.
“Okay, what did Grandpa leave for us?” Jake asked impatiently.
“Yeah, what’s mine?” Ashton added.
Lawrence explained, “The house is going to your brothers, and Alice, you’ll be inheriting the barn where Grandpa’s farm used to be. The farm itself was foreclosed, but your grandfather somehow made the barn independent from the property. You’ll still have access to it, even though the farm was repossessed.”
“Wow, a whole barn,” Jake scoffed, and Ashton laughed.
Lawrence sighed and continued, “I strongly suggest you look into salvaging whatever you can from it. You might not get much, but perhaps you can make a deal with the new owners of the land.”
“Something like what? You got left with peanuts, sis’. So much for all those summers at Grandpa’s,” Ashton said, laughing again with Jake.
Overwhelmed by the news, Alice couldn’t hold back her tears. She grabbed her things and rushed out of the office.
Alice’s Heartbreak
As she fled, Jake called after her, “Oh, come on, Alice. We were just having a laugh.”
Alice didn’t care about the material inheritance. What hurt her the most was that this situation made her question her relationship with her grandfather. She had spent so much time with Bill, loving him as a true friend, while her brothers had barely shown the same care for him.
Continue reading on next page…