My Sister Abandoned Our Family 14 Years Ago, Leaving Us Penniless — Now, She Claims the House I Inherited

Without waiting for an invitation, she pushed past me and walked into the house. Upon recognizing her, Mom’s face drained of color.

“Emma?” Mom began. “What brings you here after all these years? Do you even know what you put us through? You made us go through hell after you left!”

“Olivia,” Emma started, her tone clipped. “Calm down, alright? I just need to talk.”

“Talk?” Mom spat, her voice tight with years of betrayal. “There’s nothing left to say. Get out.”

Emma sighed, a hint of weariness in her eyes.

“Look, I heard about Grandma. I’m sorry, alright?” She paused, her gaze flitting between Mom and the house. “And I heard you got the house, Claire?”

“Yes,” I replied, my voice laced with suspicion. “I fixed it up, just like Grandma wanted. So Mom could have a fresh start.”

A harsh laugh escaped Emma’s lips, devoid of any humor. “Fresh start, huh? Well, don’t think you’ll get away with it that easily.”

“What do you mean?” I demanded, my confusion morphing into anger.

“I mean,” she began, her voice steely, “that I’m Martha’s granddaughter too. And I deserve a share of the inheritance. You can’t keep this entire house all to yourself!”

My jaw clenched. This woman, who walked out on us fourteen years ago, leaving us with nothing but a mountain of debt, was now claiming my grandma’s house as her own?

First, let me tell you what happened on that unfateful day. I was just twelve, but the memory feels etched in my brain like a cruel inscription.

Emma, all of twenty-two and full of dreams, burst into tears one evening while talking to Mom on the phone. Between sobs, she told Mom she needed an emergency appendix operation.