Chapter 8 - The Inheritance War
Richard claimed ownership of the family company.
His lawyers filed lawsuits.
The media became interested.
For weeks, our family name appeared in newspapers.
People questioned my legitimacy.
They questioned Mom's decisions.
They questioned whether I deserved the company.
Mia stood beside me through everything.
“We'll fight.”
I smiled.
“You don't have to.”
“Yes, I do.”
“Why?”
“Because you're my sister.”
I laughed.
“I thought we weren't related.”
She smiled.
“That's not how family works anymore.”
We hired attorneys.
The evidence against Richard was overwhelming.
Forged signatures.
False transfers.
Hidden accounts.
Fraud.
Eventually, the court ruled in our favor.
But the company had a bigger problem.
It was failing.
The business Mom had spent decades building was losing money.
I wanted to sell.
Mia disagreed.
“We should save it.”
“Why?”
“Because it was Mom's.”
I looked at her.
“You want to work with me?”
“Yes.”
“You hate business.”
“I hate losing.”
I laughed.
We rebuilt the company together.
I handled operations.
Mia handled marketing.
It was the first time we'd ever worked toward the same goal.
And something incredible happened.
We succeeded.
Within two years, the company doubled its value.
We opened scholarships in Mom's name.
We created a foundation for children without families.
And every year, on the anniversary of Mom's death, we visited her grave together.
One year, Mia brought the white wedding dress.
I laughed.
“You kept that thing for years?”
“Yes.”
“What are you doing with it?”
She smiled.
“Donating it.”
“To whom?”
“A woman who can't afford a wedding dress.”
I looked at her.
“You've changed.”
“So have you.”
We hugged.
Then she said,
“I finally understand Mom.”
“What?”
“She wasn't choosing between us.”
“She was trying to teach us to choose each other.”
I smiled.
“That sounds like her.”
We sat beside Mom's grave.
The wind moved through the trees.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then Mia whispered,
“Mom, I finally understand.”
May you like
I closed my eyes.
“So do I.”
