The Daughter-in-Law’s Inheritance
Emily gazed at the photo in its elegant frame and sighed. Two years had passed since her husband’s death. A freak accident, snow falling from the roof, a blow… and Tom was gone.
They’d only been together for two years and hadn’t had the chance to start a family. All that was left of her beloved husband were memories, photographs, and his mother, Mrs. Alice Thompson.
Alice would visit Emily, crying and lamenting, sometimes even blaming her for not giving them a grandchild.
“If you were a proper woman, we’d have a child now…” she would accuse. Emily simply shrugged it off. The loss was hard enough to bear, but she did not consider herself at fault. She and her husband wanted to resolve their housing situation before having children, but Tom didn’t live to see it happen.
After his passing, Emily threw herself into work to keep busy and distract herself. She worked tirelessly, taking on extra shifts, and within a year, she managed to move from a rented flat to her own. It was small, but it was hers. Her father had helped a bit; he was proud of her and supported her in every way. But a year later, he too was gone, a heart attack.
Emily lost the only family she had. She was now alone, apart from Alice, who remained persistent in her attempts to offer “condolences” for her grief.
Alice came to visit after the funeral and declared at the door:
“Write a will while you still can, Emily,” said her mother-in-law.
Emily nearly dropped her cup.
“Yes, I’m serious. Nobody is immune from ‘departing.’ Today you’re healthy; tomorrow, who knows how life turns.”
“What are you implying?”
“You’re thirty, no family left. It’s time to think about others.”
“Don’t worry, Alice. I’m not a minister, and my savings will cover a basic funeral,” Emily replied, trying to turn her irritation into a joke, assuming Alice was a little unhinged from the stress of back-to-back funerals.
“You’re joking, but it’s no laughing matter. If I were you, I’d sign the flat over to my nephews.”
“Oh? You suggest I sign everything over to your grandchildren?” Emily raised an eyebrow. Alice had a younger son, Gregory, with whom Emily had no relationship. Tom hadn’t been close to his brother in life; they were completely different. Gregory married young, had daughters, and divorced. He married again, had a son, and divorced again. Then, six months ago, Gregory found a new wife.
“You don’t need to sign it over, just make a will. Otherwise, it all goes to the state!”
“Alice… perhaps it’s time for you to go home. You must be tired.”
“Greg and Lucy are staying at mine; they needed a place to stay,” Alice confessed. “I don’t want to get in their way, and I hoped you’d understand.”
“But you’re not in their way. What does this have to do with me?” Emily was puzzled.
“I was counting on you. Your father’s flat is empty now; I could stay there until Greg sorts his life out. They plan to get a mortgage once he finds a job. I’ve already packed my things; I just need the key from you. Don’t worry; I’ll only use one room. The other one can be rented out. I’ve found someone interested already. Rita and her son need a place…”
“Rita? Greg’s second wife?”
“Yes, do you remember her? She’s wonderful. We get along well… she’ll stay there, and I watch my grandson anyway, so I won’t need to travel.”
“And how much were you thinking of paying for rent?”
“Me?!” the mother-in-law flared up. “I’m like a mother to you! And you want to charge me? I didn’t think my Tom had married someone like…”
“Alice, I’m sorry, but I won’t let you stay, not for free or for a fee. If I ever write a will, it will be for my own child, whom I will have. My whole life is ahead of me.”
“You think you’re something, don’t you? At thirty, it’s too late for children! Besides, with whom? You’re all alone! You’re delusional. Watch out, your greed will ruin you! You’ll end up with nothing. You’ll regret ignoring my words!” Alice’s face twisted into something akin to a witch. Emily suddenly thought that all her troubles stemmed from Alice’s envy, that she never liked her, and had told Tom they would never find happiness.
“Please go, Alice. I can handle it from here. I’m thirty and have a head on my shoulders. But if anything happens, I’d rather it goes to the state than you.”
Alice mumbled something under her breath and left, slamming the door. The next day, Gregory called, yelling and blaming Emily for making his mother ill after visiting her.
Emily realized that for her own peace, she needed to sever ties with Alice and her family. She put her flat on the market. Buyers came quickly. Afterward, she sorted out the inheritance paperwork and sold her father’s flat. With the money, she bought a larger place and moved into a new life, free from her old “relatives.” None of them knew her new address, allowing her to plan her future without interference.
