A Shocking Twist
“Remove your things from MY lawn, or I’ll call the police!” Jessica screamed, her eyes cold and unforgiving. My daughter-in-law had dumped everything—my whole life’s belongings—onto the front yard. She claimed my father had left her the house. But soon, when Matt arrived, she would face the truth.
Earlier that morning, I had been sorting through boxes of old memories, trying to deal with my grief. Dad’s passing had left a hole in my heart. Each item I pulled out—the old sweater he always wore, the books he loved to read—was a reminder of the life we shared. It was too much to handle, so I called Matt.
“Matt, I need you to go to the lawyer’s office for the will reading. I just can’t do it,” I said, my voice trembling.
Matt’s reply was soft but concerned. “Of course, Mom. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m managing,” I assured him, even though I didn’t feel okay at all. “I’ll be picking up Dad’s things from the nursing home later. Can you come by afterward?”
“Sure, I’ll be there,” Matt promised.
I thought the will reading would be simple, but what I found when I returned home was anything but.
The nursing home smelled like antiseptic and old flowers, making me feel a deep sadness. The nurse handed me a small cardboard box filled with Dad’s personal belongings. “Here you go, ma’am,” she said with a practiced kindness that came from seeing too many families lose loved ones.
“Thank you,” I whispered, taking the box from her. Inside were some old mystery novels, Dad’s favorite sweater, and his worn Bible. I held the sweater up to my face, hoping for just a trace of his scent. I found it, but it disappeared too quickly.
As I walked back to my car, the weight of Dad’s absence hit me hard. I clutched the box tightly, as if it could somehow bring him back. Tears blurred my vision, and I sat in the car, sobbing uncontrollably. My phone rang, but I didn’t answer. I knew it was Matt checking in on me, but I needed to be alone with my grief.
When I finally made it home, what I saw was like a nightmare. All of my family’s belongings—my life—were strewn across the front yard, as if they meant nothing.
“What is this?” I gasped, stepping out of the car, my heart pounding.
Jessica was lounging on the patio furniture, a smug smile on her face. She didn’t even look up from her phone as she said, “Well, it’s about time you got back.”
“Jessica, what have you done?” I asked, my voice trembling with shock.
She waved a piece of paper in the air like it was some kind of prize. “Your dad left the house to me,” she said with a smirk. “So, I’m making changes.”
I felt like the ground had fallen out from under me. “That’s impossible,” I whispered, clutching the car door for support. “Dad would never—”
“Oh, but he did,” Jessica interrupted, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. “This is my house now.”
Before I could process what she was saying, Matt’s truck pulled into the driveway. He stepped out, his face full of confusion as he took in the scene.
“Jess, what’s going on?” he demanded, looking between me and the mess in the yard. “I got your message. You left the lawyer’s office early—what the heck is this?”
Jessica stood up, brushing imaginary dust off her clothes. “Like I said, I’m making some changes. And there’s something else you should know.”
Matt’s jaw tightened. “More than throwing my mom’s stuff all over the lawn?” His voice was low, but the anger was clear.
Jessica let out a sharp, cold laugh. “Yeah, more than that. I want a divorce.”
The word hit like a bomb. Matt’s face twisted in disbelief. “What?” he whispered, his voice breaking. “You can’t be serious.”
“Oh, I’m very serious,” Jessica said, crossing her arms. “I’m done with you, Matt. I deserve better than this.”
Matt clenched his fists, his anger barely contained. “You’ve always been selfish, but this—this is a new low.”
Jessica sneered. “And you’ve always been a mama’s boy. It’s pathetic.”
“Don’t you talk to him like that!” I shouted, stepping forward.
Jessica turned her cold eyes on me. “This is my house now, Hattie, and you’re not welcome here. So, take your things and go.”
My hands trembled as I pulled out my phone and called Dad’s lawyer. I prayed there had been a mistake.
“Hattie, I was just about to call you,” the lawyer said when he picked up.
“Please, tell me she’s lying,” I whispered, tears choking my voice. “Dad wouldn’t leave her the house, would he?”
The lawyer’s voice was calm, almost amused. “No, Hattie. Your father didn’t leave her the house. It was a test. He wanted to see how she would react.”
Relief flooded through me, and I started laughing—a deep, unexpected laugh that confused Jessica.
“What are you laughing at?” she snapped, her confidence wavering.
“Oh, Jessica,” I said, shaking my head. “You should’ve waited for the real will reading.”
Jessica’s face went pale. “What?”
Matt turned to her, his voice cold as ice. “Looks like Grandpa knew exactly who you were.”
Jessica’s bravado shattered. “Matt—please,” she begged, reaching for him. But he pulled away, disgust clear on his face.
“You wanted a divorce?” he said, his voice hard. “You’ve got it.”
Jessica’s face crumpled, but it was too late. She stormed off, her heels clicking furiously as she disappeared down the street.
As Matt and I picked up my things from the lawn, I realized that Dad had left me more than just a house. He had shown me the truth about the people in my life. And that truth was the most valuable legacy of all.
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