My Sister Kicked Me Out After Our Father’s Death

“What’s going on?”

He pushed a file across the desk.

“Your father was a smart man, Diana,” he said. “He knew that Adriana would most likely kick you out as soon as she got the house.”

“He knew?” I swallowed hard.

“That’s why he had me prepare this,” he said.

Matei opened the file.

“Seven years ago, your father inherited a very large sum of money. Almost two million dollars. From a distant relative who had no children, but whom your father helped when she needed it.”

“What?” I exclaimed.

“Yes, he didn’t tell either of you. But I’m sure he had his reasons. Now, listen carefully, Diana. Your father divided the money between you and Adriana.”

“And she gets a share?” I said slowly, my heart tightening.

“Yes, Diana. But there’s a condition. Adriana must share the house with you, equally.”

I sat up straighter. Suddenly, it seemed there was a way out of this whole mess.

“If your sister refuses, she gets nothing.”

“There’s more,” he continued. “Your father left you this.”

He pushed a letter toward me.

It was in my father’s handwriting.

Diana, my dear,

I know Adriana, my dear. I know what she will do. But you are smarter than her. You always have been. The money is in a safe deposit box. Use it wisely, my girl.

I love you more than anything.

—Dad

I looked at the bank account details.

“I don’t know the safe deposit box code,” I whispered.

The lawyer smiled.

“The watch,” he said simply.

I took my father’s watch off my wrist and turned it over. On the back, there were fine scratches. Four barely visible digits.

A code!

Matei smiled widely.

“Your father was a genius, Diana.”

I laughed. I truly laughed for the first time since he had died.

Adriana had the house, but she also had all the debts. And she had just kicked out the only person who could save her from losing everything.

I was still at the guesthouse a few days later when Adriana called me. I let the phone ring while I poured myself a glass of water.

Then I answered.

“Hello?” I said sweetly.

“You knew, didn’t you?” she spat into the receiver.

“Knew what?” I asked.

“The house,” she burst out. “The lawyer just called me. There are debts. A lot. Thousands of euros. If they aren’t paid, we lose the house, Diana. And you…” she sighed tremulously. “You have the money, don’t you?”

I twirled my father’s watch around my wrist.

“I might have it…” I said. “But we don’t exactly have a pretty past, do we? You kicked me out.”

Silence.

“You have to help me!” she finally said.

I smiled.

“I would have helped you, Adriana,” I said. “If you had been nicer to me when we were little, sister. Maybe then I would have felt sorry.”

Then I hung up.

Matei was helping me look for a furnished apartment.

“Something small will be perfect,” he said. “You have a few months until you go to college, Diana. You don’t need to tie yourself to a big house. An apartment is the best option. And soon you’ll be eighteen, then you can do whatever you want. Right now, you need to focus on school.”

“Thank you for helping me,” I told him. “Without you, I would have been lost.”

“Diana, your father told me all about you and how hard it was for you with your sister. Especially after your mother left. I promised your father that I would help you get back on your feet.”

A few weeks later, I was in my little studio apartment, in an artistic area of the city. And I loved it.

I don’t know what happened to Adriana, but one evening, when I passed by our house, I saw a sign that said SOLD in front. I probably should have felt bad, but I didn’t. It wasn’t my home without Dad.

And at least, he was still looking out for me. Even if he was doing it through Matei.