I have been caring for my husbands grandfather for the past ten years. During that time, we lived together in a rented flat with our children and the old man. My husbands sister, Emily, lived in the grandfather’s own flat. No one else wanted to take responsibility for himnot my mother-in-law, not the grandchildren. My life didnt turn out as Id hoped; I never finished university, fell pregnant young, and never managed to build a successful career.
My days blurred into each other, balancing looking after Granddad and raising the kids.
My husband hated the constant tension at home, so hed often just disappear for days at a time. But other women werent interested in a man with children and nowhere to live, so inevitably hed always come back to me. I forgave him, even though I no longer loved himall so he would keep giving me money for the children and for Granddads care. Emily rarely visited and only with one motive: to ask Granddad for his pension or to complain about her own money troubles. Oddly, she and her family didnt seem hard upthey didnt pay rent, so they could even afford holidays abroad.
Five years ago, Granddad left me his flat in his will:
Youve become dearer to me than all my family put together. My grandson is useless, hed just hand the flat to his mum or sister. Let your childrenmy great-grandchildrenlive here. Think of it as a reward for everything youve done. I dont want any of you cursing me after Im gone that your life was so hard because of me.
No one in the family knew about this. As Granddads health declined, both his daughter and granddaughter suddenly started coming round, pretending to show concern. But Granddad saw right through ithe knew exactly why theyd come.
As soon as Granddad passed away, they got straight to dividing up his estate. My mother-in-law and Emily convinced my husband to give up his claim on the flat, arguing that Emily was living there already. He agreed, but they were all still in the dark about the will.
The very next day, my husband started packing his things. He told me he had met someone else, and that the only reason hed been staying was so I could look after Granddad. Then he left, and I felt an enormous weight lift off my shoulders. When the rest of the family learned about the will, a real battle broke outcomplete with threats.
Listen, youre never going to keep that flat! I dont know how you looked after Granddad or how you managed to trick him into leaving you the property, but youre not keeping it. Youre nothing but a fraud, and well prove it in court.
But you know what I realised? I can send the whole lot of them packing, and I intend to:
Get out! All of you!
Their words didnt hurt me one bit. Im certain Ill have a normal life. Ive landed a job, my children and I have our own home, and most importantly, I no longer have anything tying me to that family.
What would you have done in this womans shoes?
