“No,” I said firmly. “I’m not signing anything. This is my home, and you have no right to demand it.”
Susan’s face twisted with anger. “You’re not even my real mother!” she spat.
Her words hit me like a slap. Tears welled in my eyes. “After all this time, that’s what you think of me?”
“Just give me my father’s assets,” she demanded.
I felt my anger rise. “Your father would be heartbroken to see what you’ve become. Get out.”
Susan shouted insults, but I stood my ground. My neighbor, hearing the commotion, came over and escorted them out. As they left, Susan shouted, “This isn’t over, Mariana! You’ll regret this!”
Shaken, I collapsed on the couch, clutching George’s photo. Tears streamed down my face as I whispered, “Why didn’t you take me with you, George? I don’t know how to handle this alone.”
Susan’s messages continued, growing more aggressive with each one. Exhausted, I finally met with a lawyer, ready to settle things just to end the torment. But then, a revelation changed everything.
A week later, Susan barged into my home again, furious. “How did you do this? I only get $3,000 and an old car? Where’s the rest?”
I looked at her calmly. “What are you talking about?”
She waved the inheritance papers in my face. “Dad’s assets! This can’t be it!”
I smiled gently. “Years ago, George transferred all his major assets to me—the house, the SUV, the farmhouse. It’s all mine. He left you exactly what was in his name at the time of his death.”
Susan’s face reddened with rage. “This isn’t fair!”
I met her anger with calm. “You got what you asked for, Susan. Now, please leave.”
In the weeks that followed, I sold the house, the SUV, and the farmhouse. I moved away, bought a beautiful villa, and began a new chapter of my life—one filled with peace and possibility.
One day, an old friend called. “Mariana, Susan’s trying to start a lawsuit against you.”
I sighed. “And?”
“It’s already been thrown out. Everything was legally yours.”
Relief washed over me. I had finally found peace. Weeks passed, and I began enjoying my new life—traveling, making new friends, and embracing the future.
Then, one day, my phone rang again. It was a lawyer calling on Susan’s behalf. “She wants to meet with you.”
I shook my head. “No. Tell her I have nothing more to say.”
And with that, I closed the chapter for good. I had a new life, and I wasn’t going to let anyone take that from me. George had protected me in life, and now, in death, he had ensured I could move forward peacefully.