Dont go whining about someone elses bread, snarled Emma, her face twisted with anger. Your own grandmother caused this mess, and now youre trying to play the victim. Everyone who mattered has already left the house. She knew how much we needed that flatus, not that
The that is my sister, by the way, Oliver exhaled wearily. He was fed up with his wifes complaints for the third time that week. And shes the one who truly deserves the flat! It was Ivy who cared for Gran when she could barely walk. Ivy did the shopping, paid the council tax, drove Gran to the hospital. I even suggested you take over the chores! Yet you sit at home all day
I have three children! Three! And you want to hang an old woman on me! the woman snapped, crossing her arms over her chest.
Two of them go to school, the third to nursery, Oliver retorted sarcastically. You spend the whole day at home. If youd pop over to Grans for a couple of hours, maybe the flat would have been ours. So stop moaning and stop counting other peoples money! If you dont like our house, why dont you get a job? Then we could afford something bigger.
What a useless husband you are! You cant earn a penny yourself, yet you push your wife onto work! Emma huffed, though, honestly, Oliver earned a respectable wage. The problem was that Emma never knew how to save, and she certainly didnt want to be frugal.
Enough! Thats settled, Oliver slammed his fist on the table, pushing aside the bowl of soup he hadnt even touched. Ive lost my appetite. And remember, Im not going to hear any more talk about how lucky my sister is. She earned the inheritance fair and square, got it!
Emma said nothing after his outburst, only grimaced. Earned it, he says! The twentyyearold sweetheart got a threebedroom flat in the city centre, even with a better layout! Where does she plan to put all those rooms? Meanwhile, Thomas has three kids and a modest but solid house he bought before they married.
How many times has Emma complained that the children need more space? That each should have their own room, especially the teenage daughtershes already thirteen! Yet the younger sister, only five, has to share the same space. Can you explain to a fiveyearold that some things are offlimits? Of course Ivy is partly to blame; she leaves her toys everywhere
Emma longed to move into the flat. She had children just so she could hope the old woman would have the decency to let a large family use the place. It never happened.
Then Emma learned that Gran was seriously ill and had at most a year left. Hope flared anew! But Ivy flatly refused to look after a sick Thomas, as if she had nothing else to do.
Are you surprised the will favors Ivy? Thomass sister, Margaret, sided with the old woman. Seriously? Why would the flat ever belong to you? You did nothing for it! I told you thentake Gran in, look after her. Maybe youd be moving by now.
Why would we take another person in? the wounded Emma protested, assuming Margaret would support her. She refused to come to our house. She said she wanted peace and quiet.
Id refuse too. Let five more people, three of them kids, into the flatno thank you. Stay away from Ivy. Get a job; we have a vacancy at my firm. Extra cash, you could get a mortgage.
Ill think about it, Emma muttered through clenched teeth and hung up. The conversation didnt go as shed hoped. Instead of sensible advice she heard accusations. Work? She didnt want a job; shed rather have another baby
She tried to speak with Ivy. Perhaps she could persuade the girl to give up the flat, or even swapIvy moves into the house and the whole family moves into the flat.
But Ivy wouldnt even listen. She coldly said she would fulfil Grans last wish exactly as instructed.
Emma approached Oliver again, only to be met with a shouting match. Oliver raised his voice at his wife for the first time, frightening the children. Little Katie burst into tears and couldnt settle, while Lucy stared at her parents with wide, bewildered eyes.
Enough! Im fed up with your idle fantasies! I wont give you another penny! Ill buy food and clothes for the kids myself; if you want anything else, earn it!
That night Oliver stormed off to his parents house and didnt return, still seething. What more could Emma want? A nice home, all the comforts, a big garden why did she cling so desperately to a cramped flat surrounded by neighbours?
Thomas also lost his temper. A husband should stand by his wifeotherwise theres no marriage! If his wife wants the flat, she should get it, no matter the cost.
—
Ivy was walking home late, the streets empty and shop windows dark.
Look who it is, Ivy! a burly man emerged from an alley, grinning. Well, hello there. Do you know what I want from you? Dont shake like that! he laughed. Im not after your charms. Just cash, at least.
Cash? Ivy asked, eyes narrow.
The moneys already paid to another bloke. I just need you to give up that lovely flat. I think you understand what Im saying.
Ivy could only nod. She was alone on a dim street; not a single soul, not even a dog, was out. If she tried to bluff, who knew where that would end
Youre clever, the man smiled, patting her cheek. If you do exactly as I ask, well never meet again. If not well, well have a good time, thats for sure.
Ivy sprinted home, convinced the man was stalking her, ready to pounce. Had Emma really invited this? Did Oliver know? He was her brothercould he have let this happen?
Oliver! Are you involved in this? she sobbed as he answered the phone. Do you also need that flat? Ill give you everything, just leave me alone!
Hey, Ivy, whats wrong? the man on the line seemed genuinely alarmed. Can you hear me? Where are you?
Home Oliver
Hold on, Im coming.
He arrived in a record ten minutes, breaking a few traffic rules along the way, but he didnt care. His sister meant more to him than any fine!
When Ivy finally calmed enough to recount the bizarre encounter, Oliver instantly understood. He saw why his wife had been so smug.
File a report, he said firmly. There are CCTV cameras on every corner; theyll track that man down quickly, and I think Tom will hand him over without a problem.
But Ivy stammered, eyes wide. They wont actually lock her up, will they?
Its not your problem. Let her reap what shes sowed. Ill divorce her! I cant let my children be raised by someone like that. What would she teach them?
—
A criminal case was opened against Emma, despite her vehement denials. She hadnt realised that the hired thug had been recording every conversation.
Her children refused to speak to her, and the divorce proceeded swiftly.
In the end, everyone learned a harsh truth: greed and deceit tear families apart, while honesty and compassion hold them together. The real inheritance is not a flat or a poundsterling sum, but the trust and love that cannot be bought or sold.
