The church smelled like old wood and too much perfume. My father’s funeral had dragged out longer than anyone expected. And by the time we got back to my mother’s house in Albany, everyone was exhausted. Family I hadn’t seen in years was still hanging around pretending they cared, picking at casserles that had been reheated three times already. I sat in the corner, still in uniform. Not because I wanted to show off, but because I had flown straight from Fort Bragg and hadn’t had time to change. My younger sister, Megan, was glowing like she’d just won a pageant. She had been circling the room, whispering into people’s ears, making sure everyone knew how she was handling everything. She had that smug look she’d worn since we were kids. The one that said she thought the world owed her something. I ignored it, at least until the lawyer showed up. Robert Chen was an old friend of my dad’s. He walked in with a briefcase that probably held the last bombshells my father had left behind. Everyone gathered around the dining table. The air felt heavier than at the funeral. This wasn’t about grief anymore. This was about money, property, and who was about to get screwed over. Robert started reading. Megan was practically bouncing in her chair like a kid waiting for candy. My mom, Helen, sat stiff as a board, her hands folded so tight I thought she’d snap her fingers off. Then came the words that made Megan’s smile stretch even wider.
“To my daughter Megan, I leave the Miami apartment and a minority share in Whitmore Construction.”
She nodded like it was just confirmation of what she already knew. Miami, a luxury condo with a view of Biscane Bay worth millions. The kind of place Megan could post about on Instagram until her followers got nauseous. Then Robert turned the page.
“To my daughter Hannah, I leave the family cabin and the surrounding 200 acres of land in the Aderondex.”
For a second, the room went quiet. A cabin? My father had left Megan the penthouse lifestyle and handed me an old shack in the woods. I kept my face blank. I had learned that skill in the army. Never let anyone see your reaction. But Megan wasn’t about to let it go. She leaned back in her chair, crossed her arms, and smirked at me.
“A cabin fits you perfectly, you stinking woman.”
She didn’t whisper. She wanted everyone to hear. Some people gasped. My mom looked down at the table, refusing to make eye contact. Robert shifted uncomfortably, but kept reading like pretending it didn’t happen would make it go away. I clenched my jaw. It wasn’t the insult that got me. I’d been called worse in Afghanistan by people who wanted me dead. It was the fact that my own sister, sitting across from me in our father’s house, thought it was okay to spit on me like that in front of everyone. Megan laughed under her breath, clearly enjoying herself.
“Come on, Hannah. You live out of a duffel bag most of the year anyway. That shack is perfect for you. Rustic, simple, nothing fancy. No one will even notice if you disappear up there.”
I looked at my mom. She didn’t say a word. No defense, no push back, just silence like she was scared to upset Megan. That silence cut deeper than the insult. Robert closed the folder and cleared his throat.
“That concludes the reading of the will. Your father’s wishes are legally binding.”
Megan shot her hand in the air like she just won bingo.
“Great. I’ll start looking at management options for the Miami property this week. I know some people at Summit Realy who can help.”
She glanced at me and smirked again.
“Hope you like chopping firewood. Lon.”
I wanted to tell her where to shove her real estate contacts, but instead I grabbed my jacket and stood up. Years in the army had taught me when to fight and when to walk away. Right then, walking away was the smarter move. The problem was Megan wasn’t done. She followed me to the hallway, her heels clicking like gunshots against the hardwood floor.
“Don’t be mad, Hannah. It’s not like you ever cared about this family anyway. Always off playing soldier while I took care of things here. M”
I spun around and faced her.
“You mean you took care of yourself? Dad built this family. You just took advantage of it.”
Her eyes narrowed, but her smile never faded.
“And now I get the reward. Enjoy your little shack in the woods. Maybe you can use it for target practice.”
