I raised my two daughters on my own after their father passed away when they were still very young. I never remarried. Honestly, I was always afraid a new husband might not treat my girls kindly, and if forced to choose between a man and my children Ive always chosen the girls.
Emily, my eldest, married young and soon after had a daughter, Alice. She moved into her husbands flat, but the marriage didnt last long. Some years later, holding little Alice in her arms, Emily returned home to me.
My younger daughter, Hannah, was upset with her sister. She believed Emily came back deliberately, wanting to force her out of the flat. Hannahs suspicions were unfounded; Emily was in poor health and eventually diagnosed with cancer. With Emily unwell, Alice became my responsibility.
At that time, Hannah was married herself, with two children, and a close relative my elderly aunt offered her a place to live. Without much hesitation, my aunt transferred the flat to Hannahs name, assuring her that if anything happened, she would not make any claim over my property.
Emily passed away when Alice was seventeen. Not long after, I started feeling poorly myself. One day, Hannah visited and asked me, quite directly, who would inherit my flat when I was gone.
What do you mean, who? Alice will receive it. She has no one left; her mother is gone and her father isnt involved. She cant be left homeless.
But shes only your granddaughter. Im your daughter, and I have two children of my own. Alice will grow up and get her own place. Give my flat back to me, Hannah said, raising her voice.
No. Thats not what we agreed.
Fine, then Ill never set foot in this house again.
Hannah didnt seem concerned whether Alice had time to study for her exams or cared for her unwell grandmother. Since she didnt get the flat, Hannah cut all ties, and stopped speaking to me altogether.
