Alice had not expected to face Jason’s parents after all these years. They appeared at her doorstep, demanding the keys to the house Jason had left behind. Their presence was a stark reminder of their previous abandonment. Jason had come to her at seventeen, heartbroken and discarded by the very people now seeking to claim his home. Her mother had immediately accepted him into their family. They had supported each other through high school, college, and Jason’s battle with cancer. Despite his illness and the mortgage payments she had made, Alice never gave up hope for reconciliation. But his parents had remained absent.
A month after Jason’s funeral, their arrival was jarring. Susan’s insincere sympathy and Charles’s cold demand for the house felt like an insult. “This house should be ours now; Jason was our son,” Charles declared. The claim stung.
Alice held her composure. “Jason bought this house, and I’ve been paying the mortgage. I own it,” she said. Their attorney confirmed that as next of kin, Jason’s parents had a legal claim, but Alice was prepared. She had ensured the house’s ownership was transferred to her before Jason’s death and offered to pay them the equivalent of the amount she had spent on the house plus four years of mortgage payments.
A woman opening a letter | Source: Midjourney
Charles’s anger was palpable. “You can’t afford that,” he retorted, threatening legal action. Alice remained firm. “I’ll discuss this further if you answer one question honestly. Why did you abandon Jason when he needed you most?”
The room fell silent. Susan, uncomfortable, admitted, “We thought it best for him to live without us because he wouldn’t comply with our expectations.” Her words, devoid of genuine remorse, only deepened Alice’s resolve.
“That’s not enough,” Alice said firmly. The attorney, sensing the futility, suggested they leave. Susan and Charles, realizing their quest was in vain, departed with expressions of defeat.
As Alice closed the door, she felt a mix of relief and sorrow. Although Jason was gone, she had safeguarded his legacy and memory from those who had failed him. The house, now a testament to their shared life, was hers to cherish. She sighed, locking the door with quiet determination. This home wasn’t just a property; it was a symbol of their enduring bond.
