I Discovered What My Tyrant Stepmother Had Been Hiding since My Father’s Death – She Will Get What She Deserves

Ellie’s stepmother Janice takes over as carer when she loses both of her parents years apart. Janice controls Ellie’s life and makes her live in her stepbrothers’ shadow. But Ellie is forced to take action after learning about her Aunt Jody’s secret.

My father took on a new role in my life when I lost my mother when I was three years old. Since I had no grandparents on either side, he was the centre of my universe.

Aunt Jody, the sister of my father, was still with us, but she had moved far away and immigrated long ago.

I therefore only knew my father.
However, my father brought Janice and her two sons—my future stepmother and step-siblings—home when I first started school.

At first, things went smoothly. Janice was really kind to me; she combed my hair every night till it was glossy and straight. She desired my presence at her and Dad’s nuptials.
“Oh, Ellie,” she would say, unable to address me as Eleanor. “You must be my floral attendant!” You must be my flower girl, my dear darling; Jackson and Avery will be the ring bearers.”

Janice kept me informed as she and my father were getting ready for their wedding. She took the boys and me to sample the flavours of the wedding cake and showed me the colour scheme and flowers she preferred.
Avery exclaimed, “I like the peanut butter cake,” as she wiped my frock of frosting.

“And what do you like, Ellie?” Jane enquired.

I said, “Chocolate,” appreciating her attentiveness.
I was relieved that Janice wasn’t the nasty stepmother I had imagined her to be, even though I was still afraid to introduce my father to our new blended family. Ultimately, all I felt was the absence of my mother.

But then my father started complaining about chest symptoms shortly after my sixteenth birthday party.

He exclaimed, “Oh, Ellie,” one day as we were shopping at a supermarket and picking up everything on Janice’s grocery list.

“What’s wrong?” Observing him clench his chest, I inquired.

He told me, “I’ll be fine, El,” after we arrived home. “I’ve just been overdoing it lately.”
My father died at home a few weeks later; he had a cardiac condition that had not manifested itself until that day at the grocery store. However, my father declined to visit the physician.

That’s when Janice turned into the nasty stepmother I had been worried about for years, and everything about her altered.

“No, Eleanor,” she replied one morning as she was preparing breakfast for Jackson and Avery. “I’ve determined that Jackson requires your bedroom.” It’s significantly larger, and he needs room for his exercise gear. I’m going to spend the large sum of money your father left for the boys’ lodgings.”

I was unable to object. Janice would never let me hear the end of it, no matter how hard I tried to defend my own interests. She would not stop talking about how thankful I should be that she let me stay in the house. While some days were quiet and peaceful, others were boisterous and tense.
I gave my life to Janice for two years. There were very few recollections of my father’s life after she completely renovated the house to suit her tastes.

“Janice, where’s the living room clock?” I asked her one morning.

That clock was something I adored. When I was younger, it used to scare me, but my father informed me it had been in the family for many years.

“When it chimes,” he continued, “You must remember your family.”

However, one day it simply vanished.

Janice responded, “I sold it,” while enjoying a smoothie. It was out of place with the overall design. Proceed now. Is today not the last day of classes?

I felt as though a piece of me had disappeared when I got to school. Though I hadn’t anticipated feeling the same way about a clock, I had felt the same way when my parents passed away.
I texted Aunt Jody saying, “I’m thinking of you.” Everything has been taken over by Janice. I will soon need to look for employment.

Considering the time difference, I didn’t think she would respond.

However, Aunt Jody called me right before the end of the day bell rang.

She inquired, “Are you alone?” before saying hello to me.

I said, “Yeah, I’m still in school.”

“I perused your message. Before they discover that you are telling the truth, you must depart,” she remarked.

“What on earth are you talking about?”

You haven’t been shown it by them. Elle, your father left you everything. It shocks me. You have the right to inherit the property. Janice has been trying to gain the upper hand by hiding this from you.”

It hit me like a goods train, this revelation. I was unaware and wronged, yet all these years, living under the same roof as Janice and her sons, I was the legitimate heir to my father’s inheritance.
“How could she do that?” I succeeded, speaking hardly audibly above a whisper.

“Be at ease,” Aunt Jody reassured. “I’ll talk to our attorney now. I’ll start the party and secure the estate so that only you can enter.”

I gave a nod, fully aware that she was unable to see me.

She said, “Leave the house tonight.” “My attorney will get to work right away, and Janice will be informed shortly.” I must know that you have left the house safely. As soon as I can, I’ll get you a ticket to see me.”

I would be, as I had promised. I wanted to get home as soon as possible, pack up my belongings, and head over to my friend Mariah’s place.

I walked into the kitchen right before I left my childhood home and wrote a note to my stepmother and stepbrothers. It wasn’t a note of spite, but rather a statement of strength, especially in light of what was about to happen.
I have a right to the inheritance you have withheld from me and exploited to exert control over me. Think of this as my farewell. I’m going to take what’s rightfully mine, whether or not you agree.

As a memento of my departure and a first step towards living the life my father always desired for me, I placed the note on the kitchen table.

I have no idea what will happen to Janice, but if Aunt Jody gets her wish, I have no doubt that she will leave my house very soon. I’m going to stay with Mariah for the time being while I consider my options.