“Emily, for heaven’s sake, you already own four flats—why do you need another one? Where are Mum and I supposed to go, out on the street?” I shouted at my sister when I learned she wanted to take our family home. This is the story of how my sister’s greed nearly left Mum and me homeless and how I fought to defend our right to stay.
*The Family Home and Its Legacy*
Our family had always lived in a spacious three-bedroom flat in the heart of London. My parents acquired it in their younger days, and it became our true family nest. My sister and I grew up there, and after Father passed, Mum raised us alone within those walls. The flat was old but roomy, with high ceilings and tall windows. Mum and I still lived there, though the place was long overdue for repairs.
My elder sister, Emily, had moved out years ago. She’d married well—her husband was a businessman, and over the years, they’d built a tidy fortune. Emily already owned four properties: two she rented out, one she’d bought for her son, and the fourth where she lived with her husband. I never envied her wealth—in fact, I was glad she’d done well. But then she announced she wanted our family flat for herself.
*”It’s My Inheritance”*
It began when Emily came to visit. Casually, she brought up the flat. “Mum, it’s getting difficult for you here—the stairs are steep, the lift’s ancient. Why don’t we sell this place? I’ll find something more suitable for you and Charlotte,” she said. I was stunned. “Sell it? Where would Mum and I live?” Emily coolly replied that it was *her inheritance* and she had a right to her share. Legally, the flat belonged to the three of us—Mum, her, and me—and she wanted her portion.
I was furious. First, Mum was still alive—how could she call it inheritance? Second, Emily knew perfectly well we had nowhere else to go, and her idea of “more suitable” sounded like a bedsit. I snapped, “Emily, you’ve got four flats already—why take this one? Should Mum and I live on the pavement?” She claimed she wanted to invest in property, that it was “a sound financial decision.” But I saw through it—she simply wanted everything for herself.
*Mum’s Heartbreak and the Feud*
Hearing us argue, Mum grew distraught. She had always been fair to us both, but even she lost patience. “Emily, have you no shame? This flat is our home—I’ve spent my whole life here.” But Emily wouldn’t budge. “I don’t want to quarrel, but it’s my right. If we don’t sell, I’ll take it to court to force a division.”
I couldn’t believe my sister would go that far. We’d never been close, but I never imagined she could be so ruthless. I begged her to reconsider, reminding her that Mum and I couldn’t afford another place—my teacher’s salary and Mum’s pension wouldn’t stretch far. Emily just shrugged. “You’ll figure something out.”
*What Now?*
Now I’m at my wits’ end. Suing Emily would be costly, drawn-out, and too much for Mum to bear—but I won’t surrender our home. I offered to buy her share, but she named a sum I couldn’t scrape together in ten years. Mum cries, saying she’d rather die than leave the place where she’s spent her life.
I don’t know what to do. Should I speak to Emily again, try to appeal to her conscience? Or brace myself for a legal fight? If you’ve faced a family feud like this, do share your advice. How do you defend your home without destroying your family? I could use some wisdom.
