George’s absence haunted Mariana’s home, his memory wrapped in a shirt she clutched each night. It wasn’t just his death that shattered her; it was her stepdaughter Susan’s demand for his assets. When Mariana finally gave in, a twist emerged, leaving Susan furious and Mariana oddly at peace.
Mariana, 57, had been married to George for 25 years. He had a daughter, Susan, 34, from a previous marriage. Their relationship had been fine until George was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Susan’s visits dwindled, and she rarely came to see her father.
When the hospital called to inform Mariana that George had passed peacefully, she was devastated. To her shock, Susan didn’t attend the funeral, citing health concerns after her own recent childbirth. This marked a shift in their relationship.
Six months later, Susan arrived at Mariana’s door with her husband Doug and a lawyer. “Mom, we need you to sign some papers,” she demanded, thrusting a stack of documents at Mariana.
A stunning house with a beautiful garden | Source: Midjourney
“What papers?” Mariana asked, confused.
“Dad’s assets, Mom. We’re here to claim what’s ours,” Susan replied, her tone dismissive.
Mariana felt a surge of anger. “No. I want you to leave my house right now.”
Susan’s face twisted in anger. “You’re not even my REAL MOTHER!”
Mariana was stunned. “How can you say that? After all these years?”
“You think you can just take what’s ours? Over my dead body!” Susan shouted.
Tears sprang to Mariana’s eyes. “Get out of my house!” she yelled. Their argument escalated until a neighbor intervened, escorting Susan and Doug out.
Heartbroken, Mariana sank onto the couch, grappling with the loss of the bond they once shared. Days turned into weeks filled with Susan’s angry messages. Exhausted, Mariana met with her lawyer, ready to transfer the assets to end the conflict.
A week later, Susan stormed in, fuming. “HOW DID YOU DO THIS? I only get $3,000 and an old car? What about everything else?”
Mariana smiled faintly. “What are you talking about?”
According to the lawyer, everything George owned was in Mariana’s name, leaving Susan with minimal assets.
Susan was furious. “You’re lying! This can’t be true!”
“Well, you wanted your father’s assets. Now you have them,” Mariana said calmly.
In the days that followed, Mariana sold everything—the house, the SUV—and purchased a villa in a place she’d always dreamed of living.
Weeks passed, and she began to enjoy her new life. But one day, she received a call from someone claiming to represent Susan. “She wants to meet with you.”
“No,” Mariana replied. “I’m not interested.”
As she ended the call, she wondered why Susan wanted to meet. But it didn’t matter. She had a new life, and she intended to live it fully, just as George would have wanted.
