My husband’s new wife showed up at my door, wearing a smug grin. “We’re here to claim our rightful share of your father’s estate. Pack up and leave, now,” she demanded. I smiled as my lawyer stepped in right behind her…
The morning dew still clung to the rose petals when I heard the crunch of expensive heels on the gravel path. I didn’t need to look up to know who it was. Only one person would dare wear Louboutins to trample on my father’s prized garden.
“Madeline?” Her voice dripped with fake sweetness. “Still playing in the dirt, honey?”
I continued pruning my father’s white roses—the ones he’d planted for my wedding day. The wedding that ended with my ex-husband running off with the woman now standing behind me. “Hello, Haley.”
“You know why I’m here.” She moved closer, her shadow falling across the flowerbed like a blight. “The will is read tomorrow, and Holden and I think it’s best we talk… civilly.”
I finally turned around, wiping my soiled hands on my apron. “There’s nothing to discuss. This is my father’s house.”
“His estate, was,” Haley corrected, her red lips curling into a smirk. “And since Holden was like a son to Miles for fifteen years, we feel we are entitled to our fair share.”
The pruning shears in my hand felt heavy as an axe. “The same Holden who cheated on his daughter with his own secretary?”
“That’s ancient history. You should learn to let things go, Madeline,” she waved a dismissive hand. “Miles forgave him. They were golfing buddies right up until…” She let the words hang in the air.
“My father wouldn’t have left Holden anything,” I said, my voice dangerously steady. “He was many things, but he wasn’t a fool.”
Haley’s fake smile vanished, replaced by a calculated confidence. “We’ll see about that. Your brother, Isaiah, seems to think differently.” The name landed like a stone in my gut. “You’ve spoken to him?”
“Oh, honey,” she cooed, stepping closer. “We’ve done more than speak. He’s been very… helpful.”
I gripped the shears, my knuckles white. The roses need a firm hand, Maddie, but never a cruel one.
“Get off my property,” I said quietly. “Before I forget my manners.”
She laughed, a sound like shattering glass. “Your property? That’s cute. This house is worth millions. Did you really think you’d get to keep it all?” She paused at the garden gate. “Oh, and you might want to start packing. Holden and I will need at least a month to renovate before we move in. This place needs a bit of an… upgrade.”
As her heels clicked away, I looked down at the roses, their pure white petals now stained with soil from my trembling hands. Dad used to say white roses symbolized new beginnings, but all I could see now was the red of rage. And thorns. Lots of thorns.
I pulled out my phone. “Aaliyah? It’s me. Haley just paid me a visit. Yes, it’s exactly as bad as we thought. Can you come over? There’s something about the will I need to show you.”
My best friend’s voice was pure steel. “I’m on my way. Don’t worry, Madeline. Your father was smarter than they’ll ever know.”
✅ “To find out how this unbelievable story ends, see the first comment!”