Then Linda Said Something That Changed the Argument

Emma pushed the transfer form away.

“No.”

Her mother looked stunned.

“What?”

“I’m not signing it.”

“Emma.”

“No.”

Linda’s voice became sharper.

“Your brother needs that money more than you do.”

Emma stood.

“Then you give him sixty thousand dollars.”

Her father’s expression changed.

“That’s disrespectful.”

“No. Asking me to hand over half my inheritance is disrespectful.”

Her mother stood too.

“You got that money because you lived close to Grandma.”

“I got it because Grandma left it to me.”

“And Michael couldn’t live close!”

“I never said he should have.”

“Then stop acting like you earned it.”

Emma froze.

That hurt more than the money argument.

For years, her parents had thanked her for taking care of Margaret.

Now suddenly it was being treated like an accident of geography.

Emma picked up her purse.

Then her mother said:

“You’re seriously going to choose money over your brother?”

Emma turned around.

“You’re the one who brought him into this.”

At that exact moment, the back door opened.

Michael walked into the kitchen.

“What did you bring me into?”

Nobody answered.

Michael Looked at the Transfer Form

Emma watched her parents’ faces change.

That was the first clue.

Michael wasn’t supposed to hear this conversation.

He had arrived early to pick up some boxes stored in the garage.

His mother immediately tried to redirect him.

“We’re just sorting out some of Grandma’s estate.”

Michael walked toward the table.

“What does that have to do with me?”

Emma said nothing.

She didn’t need to.

Michael saw the form.

Then the amount.

Then his own bank information.

He looked at his father.

“Why is Emma transferring me sixty grand?”

Linda answered:

“We’re trying to make things fair.”

Michael looked confused.

“Fair how?”

“You have the kids. The house. Everything is expensive.”

Michael’s expression slowly changed.

“Did I ask for this?”

Linda hesitated.

“No.”

“Does Emma owe me money?”

“No.”

“Then what are you doing?”