I sighed dramatically. “Such a shame. He loved you like his own daughter, Hazel. He died trying to save you, and you didn’t even get to say goodbye.”
“That’s not true! You’re lying! You’re cursing Ethan Hazel screamed, lunging at me
1 dodged behind the officers
“Help! She’s attacking me! Arrest her“]]
The cops bad figured out what was going on. They palled Hazel back, separating us
They tried to reason with Hazel, giving me a lecture about respect for elders. But they know they couldn’t get involved in a family feud
They took us to the police station, but as they were releasing us, I heard one of them soy to Hazel. “Look, the house belongs to her. If you want to stay, you need to ask nicely. If not, you need to move out. Got in
I mentally gave the officer a high five
As we walked out of the station, Hazel’s mother, Angel, arrived. She plastered a fake smile on her face ||
Cecilia When did you get back? Why didn’t you tell us? Your father and I would have picked you up from the airport!”
“Hold on. Angel. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I’m here for my father’s funeral, Oh, and didn’t you and had plan to get married next week? Better let the guests know the groom won’t be there. Wouldn’t want you to be a runaway bride.“||
Angel’s smile faltered. “Cecilia, even if you don’t like me, you shouldn’t speak ill of your father. He was good to you.”
Good to me?
He’d driven my mother to an early grave, all for his first love.
He’d kicked me nut,
What a great dad []
for a girl who wasn’t even his adopted daughter.
“You don’t believe me, Angel? Well, you and Dad hadn’t actually potten your marriage license yet, had you? The hospital couldn’t even contact you. So 1, the dutiful daughter, had to handle his passing.“]
I tossed Dad’s death certificate on the ground ||
Angel’s face armed white, and she swayed, Hazel catching her before she could fall.
“Hazel, you have a week to move out of my house. de Til call the cops. I turned to Angel. “And you, Angel… you’ll need to move out of the mansion, too. But you’ve been there for a while, so 111 help you find movers. And don’t worry about returning all the jewelry Dad gave you consider it compensation for all those years.”
I walked away, putting on my sunglasses
Hazel screamed. Angel fainted.
The next day. I went to the bank
Dad had been a cautious man. He’d kept all his valuables in a safe deposit box. If he’d bet them at hose, Angel would have cleaned him out []
I stared at the gold bars, the antique jewelry, grinning
After a few signatures, it was all mine:||
I celebrated with a lavish lunch at a five–star restaurant. Then, feeling content, I went home for a nap||
As drove into our gated community, the security guard stopped me. He pulled use aside
“Ms. Larson, your father’s mistress is here.”
Chapter 3
My father’s mistress?]
Angel
uror this
Years ago, Dad had kicked me out of the house when I was sick, all for Angel. The whole neighborhood knew about it. They’d all condemned her
After Mom died, Dad and Angel had never stayed at our house in the gated community
“She’s with an older woman. She’s claiming to be your stepmother. I didn’t want to let them in but “).
Angel must have bribed him.]
Thanks for letting me know.” I said with a smile.
“They looked angry, Ms. Larson. They already went inside. Be careful.“[
ty that from you?““]
“Thanks again.” I glanced at his taser. Anddes formed in my mind. “Hey, can I buy that from y
Before going inside, I checked the security footage. Angel, Hazel, and an older woman were sitting in the living room. The older woman was picking up my Antiques, shipping one into her purse
I saved the footage.
Then I walked to the front door, punched in the code, and burst in, waving the taser]]
“Intruder! Get out: Get cat screamed, swinging the taser wildly
There were screams, then a familiar voice.
“Cedar
Stop
It’s me! It’s your stepmother!”
I pretended to be surprised. “Aunt Jean? What are you doing here?”
Aunt Jean’s face was red, covered in welts. She glared at me. “You little bratt How dare you attack your elders? You’ll be punished for this!”
“You mared me! I saw people in the living room and thought they were burglars! I have all these antiques, you know! Anyone could just walk in and steal them I said, my voice trembling with faux fear
Aura Jean instinctively clutched her purse]]
She deared her throat. “Cecilia, why did you cremate your father so quickly? You should have notified the family“]
“Family“? Grandma’s dead. Who else is there?”
“Cecilia, Jean is your aunt! Your father’s sister Have some respect!” Angel chimed in ||
“We don’t share the same parents,” I said, rolling my eyes ||
My paternal grandfather had died when I was young. My grandmother had remarried, and Aunt Jean wors her new husband’s daughter from a previous relationship. We weren’t related
“Cecilia“” Aunt jean yelled, her face turning red Angel patted her shoulder, reminding her to focus
Aunt Jean took a deep breath, composing herself. “Your father is gone, Cecilia Someone Beeds to handle his affairs. I heard you took all his money. That’s not right. You need to share it with Angel.“||
“Why?” I laughint. “She wasn’t even legally married to my father“]
I’d already checked with Dad’s lawyer. They’d planned to get the marriage license the day before the writing
“But they were going to get married?” Aunt jean insisted
“They weren‘, though, were they? And the law doesn’t recognize their relationship. Why should i give her anything?”
Aunt Jean’s face turned purple ||
Angel put on her best innocent act. “Cecilia, honey.
“Jest spit it out, Angel:1
oney. It’s not about the money. It’s just well “She patted her stomach, her voice trailing eff
Hazel jumped in. “My mom is pregnant with your father’s child! Even if you don’t give her any of the inheritance, the baby has a right to it
I laughed. “And who’s going to prove that’s my father’s child?“||
“I will!” Aust jean said. “Cecilia, we’re trying to be nice to you because you’re just a child. But we could easily take this in court
1 laughed even harder. Go ahead, then.“]
“You’re insanel” Aunt Jean grabbed Angel’s hand and stormed towards the door. I told you this wouldn’t work! She’s a monstert Well get a lawyer“]
“Hold on,” I called out.]
