My Family Stole My Inheritance

My Aunt Eleanor left a will, granting her entire million-dollar estate to me.

My father, Robert, snatched the will and ripped it to shreds.

What does a dying person need so much money for? he sneered. Without a will, the three of us siblings will split it equally, as per the law.

I felt all the color drain from my face. "That's Aunt Eleanor's money, left specifically for me! I need it for my leukemia treatment."

My uncle, Gary, stomped hard on the shredded pieces of paper on the floor. "Even with the money, your illness might not be cured anyway," he said, callous. "We're Aunt Eleanor's closest relatives. The adults decide how it's divided."

Everyone else looked gleeful. "Your father is right, we completely agree."

A cold dread washed over me. They clearly had no idea that Aunt Eleanor's will also existed digitally.

If you don't care that I'm critically ill, then don't blame me for abandoning all family ties.

Seeing me frozen in place, speechless, my father, Robert, calmly tried to console me. "Ava, I know you're upset. But the living are important too. Gary's son, Daniel, is getting married soon, and Richard's daughter, Chloe, is preparing to study abroad. Everyone is short on cash right now. Splitting it equally among our three families, as the law dictates, is the fairest way."

It felt like I was being brutally dragged to hell; the pain was excruciating. "Even without this money, Daniel would still get married as planned, and Richard and Sharon could still afford to send Chloe to study abroad. But I'll die if I don't get enough money for treatment! Besides, Aunt Eleanor clearly stated in black and white that this money was for me. What right do you have to take it?"

Robert was furious at my "immaturity," the flesh on his face trembling. "Ava, how can you be so selfish! This money might not even cure your illness, but it would make everyone else's lives much more comfortable."

Brenda started to tear up dramatically. "Don't be silly, talking about dying. Would we, your family, ever abandon you?"

Sharon quickly chimed in. "Exactly! We'd definitely work hard to find you the best doctors and hospitals. Blood is thicker than water; we'd never treat you badly."

I found it laughable. Ever since my diagnosis, they had been avoiding me like the plague. Afraid I'd infect them, or worse, ask them to get tested for bone marrow donation. "Oh no, we're too old for surgery." "Daniel and Chloe aren't even married yet. What if something goes wrong with the bone marrow donation? I won't allow it."

Where was their "blood is thicker than water" concern back then? I countered their pretense. "The doctors already said they found a suitable bone marrow donor. The cost is exactly one million. If I inherit Aunt Eleanor's full estate, I'll live."

They exchanged glances, their eyes filled with cunning. Richard was the first to speak. "Doctors aren't saints. Is everything they say absolutely true? Maybe they're just after your surgery fees." At Richard's words, everyone nodded in silent agreement. "We're family. Would we really harm you?"

My expression remained unmoved. "In short, Aunt Eleanor's money was promised to me. I won't give a dime to anyone."

Robert was the first to accuse me. "Ava! If I get the inheritance, wouldn't I still give you money for treatment? You wouldn't be losing anything. Splitting the money equally would make everyone happy. Do you really have to upset everyone because of your illness?"

Robert's words emboldened the others. Brenda began to earnestly lecture me. "Ava, don't blame me for being blunt. With your illness, even if you survive, you'll burden the family with your care. Just take pity on Robert, who worked so hard to raise you alone. Don't put him through any more trouble."

Sharon nodded vigorously. "Besides, Eleanor's money should belong to the Sterling family. It's only right and legally supported for us to split it equally."

I gasped in anger, loudly refuting them. "No! The law won't support that!"

Sharon looked at me as if I were a clown. "If the law doesn't support an equal split, does it support you taking everything? Now that the will is gone, the law will certainly not support you."

I pointed at the fragments on the floor, arguing passionately. "The will clearly stated in black and white that all of Aunt Eleanor's estate was for me alone!"

The Sterling family had never truly cared for Aunt Eleanor. Early on, my grandparents had wanted to marry Eleanor off for financial gain. After a huge argument with the family, Eleanor ran off to make her own way. Robert felt Eleanor's actions betrayed the Sterling family, and he was furious. "Let's just pretend Eleanor was never part of our family!"

I knelt on the floor, trying to pick up the fragments of the will. "You didn't respect Aunt Eleanor when she was alive. What right do you have to divvy up her money now that she's dead!"

Gary's son, Daniel, stood idly by, watching me. "Robert, Brenda, Gary, don't you remember? Ava always loved going to Aunt Eleanor's house as a child. Aunt Eleanor doted on Ava, and she'd given her a lot of money privately over the years. See? Now she's left her entire estate to Ava."

Gary and Brenda understood Daniel's insinuation. Brenda quickly squatted down and used her sturdy body to shove me to the floor. "So you're a conniving little thing! So young, and you already manipulated Aunt Eleanor into leaving her entire estate to you. The Sterling family's inheritance should rightfully go to the men of the family! What business does a dying woman like you have with it!"

I lay sprawled on the floor, my body aching all over, but I still defended Aunt Eleanor. "You're the ones who abandoned Aunt Eleanor first! Her death isn't even unrelated to you! You have no right to take a single penny of Aunt Eleanor's money."

Aunt Eleanor was never married and had no children, so she poured a lot of her affection into me. She'd always give me pocket money, delicious snacks, and pretty clothes and bags. Later, when Daniel and Chloe found out, they came to Aunt Eleanor's house demanding things.

"My parents said that since you don't have kids, everything you own will go to Daniel after you die."

Aunt Eleanor was furious and kicked them out on the spot. "You can forget about taking my money!"

But Daniel's words gave her a sense of urgency. Aunt Eleanor pulled me aside and made her will in advance. "Ava, Aunt Eleanor loves you the most. You must guard her money carefully and don't give a single penny to anyone from the Sterling family."

For double assurance, Aunt Eleanor specifically tucked another legally binding copy of the will into her diary. That was the will we had just found while going through Aunt Eleanor's belongings.

Later, when I was diagnosed with leukemia, Aunt Eleanor, heartbroken for me, wired me fifty thousand dollars. "Don't worry, Ava. Aunt Eleanor has money, and she'll pay for whatever treatment you need."

When Brenda found out Aunt Eleanor had given me money, she went to Aunt Eleanor's place and caused a scene. "What are you doing? Why are you giving Daniel's money to Ava? Give us back the money!"

During the argument, Aunt Eleanor fell, and not long after, she passed away in bed.

Brenda suddenly remembered the money Aunt Eleanor had given me before she died, walked over, and kicked me. "Eleanor's fifty thousand dollars to you also belongs to Daniel! Cough it up, now!"

Helpless, I looked up at Robert. Robert stood there, not showing a hint of sympathy. Instead, he just looked annoyed by my "immaturity." "Ava, this is where you're wrong. Quickly hand over that fifty thousand dollars to be part of Aunt Eleanor's estate, and then our three families can split it equally. That's the only proper way. Aren't you afraid of divine retribution for keeping that fifty thousand dollars?"

I reached out, struggling to grasp the fragments on the floor, my eyes burning with hatred. "You wish. Aunt Eleanor's will clearly states all her money goes to me. You won't get a single cent!"

Daniel stomped heavily on my hand. "Stop struggling. You're half-dead already. Why not give up on treatment sooner, die sooner, and be free? At least leave some money for your dad."

Brenda was practically spitting as she spoke. "Exactly! We spoiled you for nothing! How can you be so cold-blooded and petty? What if you win this inheritance fight, what if you get cured? You'll be hated by everyone, completely alienated, and no one will want anything to do with you."

I bit back the pain and reached for the fragments. Robert grabbed a handful of fragments and, pulling out a lighter, burned them to ashes. "Give up. Now there's no will, so the inheritance has to be split equally."

Tears streamed down my face from the pain. "Dad, why are you so cruel? I'm your own daughter! Can you really just stand by and watch me die from lack of surgery money?"

I didn't wait for Robert's answer; the pain simply overwhelmed me, and I passed out.

When I woke up, I found myself in a hospital bed. The nurse saw I was awake and couldn't help but complain to me. "You're finally awake! You wouldn't believe how 'exciting' it was while you were unconscious. A group of people brought you here, demanding we wake you up by any means necessary so you'd 'cough up' that fifty thousand dollars. The hospital staff thought they were causing a disturbance and kicked them out. Who exactly are those people, to treat you like that?"

My heart felt like it was being pricked by countless needles, yet I replied calmly. "They're my family."

The nurse gasped in shock. "No way! They looked like they wanted you dead." Realizing she'd spoken out of turn, she quickly covered her mouth, watching my reaction.

I didn't say anything, just quietly made a call. "Hello, Mr. Evans? I'd like to claim Aunt Eleanor's inheritance according to her will, to be used entirely for my leukemia treatment."

I arrived at Mr. Evans's law firm, only to find Robert, Gary, and Brenda already there. Brenda was the first to look at me with disdain. "Well, look who's got good intel, knowing we're here today to discuss Aunt Eleanor's estate. Too late, though. We asked a lawyer. Without a will, the estate is split equally among her siblings. Your share? Go ask Robert for it."

Robert's tone was dismissive. "Ava, out of a million, our family would only get a little over three hundred thousand. It's barely enough for your initial surgery, and after that, we'd be out of resources. Don't bother with this anymore. Consider the fifty thousand Eleanor gave you before she died as a goodwill gesture from our three families. Live well, eat well, and consider your life complete."

Seeing me silent, Brenda walked up to me and handed me a bright red invitation. "Oh, by the way, Daniel is getting married. You should really try to stay alive to attend the wedding, you know."

I opened it and saw it was for a famous five-star hotel in town. Daniel's fiance was a rich girl. To ensure Daniel married well, Gary and Brenda were pulling out all the stops, sparing no expense for the wedding, just to keep up appearances.

I didn't expect them to lend me money for my treatment. But why were they still trying to steal my life-saving money? Angrily, I tore the invitation to shreds and threw it on the floor.

Brenda cursed loudly. "Ava, don't be so ungrateful!"

I shrugged. "Just following your lead. Didn't you rip up the will too?"

Mr. Evans came out to greet me. "Ms. Sterling, hello."

I stated my purpose. "Hello, Mr. Evans. I'm here to inherit Aunt Eleanor's entire estate according to her last wishes."

The moment I finished speaking, they burst into laughter. Sharon laughed, calling me presumptuous. "Are you crazy from your illness? What will?"

Robert, clearly embarrassed by me, explained to Mr. Evans. "I apologize. My daughter is ill, and her mind isn't quite right. Please don't listen to her nonsense. And don't accept any money from her; she has no income and can't afford legal fees."

I still didn't understand why Robert was so determined to prevent me from inheriting Aunt Eleanor's entire estate. "Dad, Aunt Eleanor's will clearly states all her money is mine. If I don't get cured, my money would eventually be yours. Why did you still tear up the will to split it with the others? Wouldn't you get less that way?"

Robert stammered for a long time, finally retorting with a flushed face. "I'm doing this for the good of the family! You can't be so selfish."

Since Robert wouldn't tell me the truth, I had no desire to engage with him. I pulled out the paper copy of Aunt Eleanor's will and scanned the room. "I have Aunt Eleanor's will, and all the money belongs to me."

At first, they didn't believe me. "Impossible! How could you have a will?" "It must be fake! You're lying!"

Sharon grabbed Mr. Evans's arm. "Don't believe her! Her will is definitely a fake! Quickly, tell her what the consequences are for forging a will!"

Robert, without bothering to distinguish right from wrong, started yelling at me. "Ava! I know you're desperate for money for treatment! But you can't forge a fake will just for money! You're completely shaming the Sterling family name!"

Mr. Evans calmly addressed everyone. "Everyone, please calm down. The will Ms. Ava Sterling holds is indeed the will created by Ms. Eleanor Sterling during her lifetime, and it is legally binding."

Their panic was palpable. "How is that possible? The will was clearly torn up that day!" "Yes, it was torn up. If it's torn, it has no legal validity."

The moment he spoke, Robert rushed forward, snatched the paper will from my hand, and, repeating his previous act, tore it into tiny pieces. He let out a long breath and looked at Mr. Evans. "Now the will is gone. Eleanor Sterling's estate can be split equally among us three brothers, as the law dictates, right?"

I stared wide-eyed in disbelief. "Dad, why? Why would you tear up the will, even in front of a lawyer? Are you really so desperate for that three hundred thousand dollars that you'd abandon your daughter's dignity and even her life?" Overwhelmed with anger and grief, I suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood.

Robert didn't answer my question or show any concern for my pain. Instead, he muttered regretfully. "If only I'd known she'd die so soon, I wouldn't have torn up the will then. All her estate would have been mine after she died."

A knot of anger formed in my chest, making me so choked up I wanted to cry. Mr. Evans quickly supported me, concern etched on his face. "Are you alright?"

I gritted my teeth and forced out a sentence. "Continue with the legal proceedings. I want to inherit Aunt Eleanor's entire estate."

Robert was still scoffing at my audacity. "Ava, you don't have a will. The law states that the money is to be split equally among us three brothers."

Mr. Evans adjusted his glasses. "Ms. Eleanor Sterling's will has a digital copy. Even if you tear up the paper version countless times, it still holds legal effect. Ms. Ava Sterling possesses the lawful right of inheritance; you will receive absolutely nothing. Furthermore, Ms. Sterling has formally petitioned the court to rule that you intentionally destroyed the will. This action is suspected of misappropriating another's property, and we reserve the right to prosecute."

Gary was the first to react, immediately throwing Robert under the bus. "It was him! He was the one who tore up the will, from start to finish. It has nothing to do with us."

The others quickly formed a united front, blaming Robert. "Counselor, he was the one who instructed us to go along with splitting the money. We knew nothing!"

Robert stared in disbelief at the people who had just turned against him. "When we were talking about splitting the money, you called me a hero! Now there's trouble, and you're throwing me out? We're family, aren't we?" Robert turned to me, whining. "Ava, are you really going to force your own father to his death?"

Just then, a man suddenly burst into the law firm and threatened me. "Ava, you must split Eleanor Sterling's estate equally today, or I will take Robert to court."

Looking at the man's familiar face, I finally understood why Robert was willing to take such risks just to split my money with his relatives. I fought through my physical pain and asked the man. "Fine, let's both sue. We'll see whose priority is higher. I'm suing him for destroying a will with intent to infringe upon my lawful property. What about you? What are you suing him for?"

The man was clearly prepared. "I'm suing him for..."