A Shocking Inheritance: My Late Mom’s Wealth Came with a Note Accusing Me of Theft

My Late Mom Became Rich Overnight Ten Years Ago, but along with Her Inheritance, I Received a Letter Saying, ‘You’re a Thief’ — Story of the Day

Each memento Laura kept of her mother’s passing offered a tale of love and resiliency, but the comfort of her mourning was shattered by an enigmatic letter accusing her of stealing. How far would Laura go to find out what mysteries were concealed in her family’s wealth?

Surrounded by fragments of my mother’s life, I sat cross-legged on her room’s carpet.

I cradled her favorite sweater in my lap and breathed in the subtle lavender aroma that still clung to it.

I started crying all over again when I smelled the familiar scent.

Her notorious sweatpants, which had been patched and re-patched a hundred times, were lying folded nearby.

They resembled a piece of art rather than a piece of apparel. I shook my head and laughed quietly through my tears.

Neil stepped cautiously into the doorway, as if he didn’t want to agitate my delicate condition.

“Laura, love,” he said as he crouched next to me. He put a soft hand on my shoulder.

“You don’t have to work alone on this. We’ll work things out together.

I wiped my wet cheeks with my sleeve and nodded.

It’s simply that everything seems to bring her back. Even these sweatpants. I pointed to the tattered cloth.

“She had the option to purchase a hundred new pairs, but she insisted on keeping these.”

Neil grabbed them up and flipped them over in his palms, looking at the patches.

To be honest, these deserve to be in some sort of perseverance hall of fame. Your mother was wealthy. Why would she hold onto these?

A small smile came to my lips.

since we weren’t always wealthy. My early years were… difficult. Mom was constantly working as a nanny, cleaner, etc. She gave up everything for me to have the necessities. Then, suddenly, everything changed because of this enormous fortune.

Neil’s brows went up. “She never explained its origin to you?”

I gave a headshake.

“No. She would simply go silent or dismiss my repeated questions. We didn’t have to fight after the money arrived, but Mom remained the same. She instilled in me the value of every penny. She understood what it was like to be without anything.

Neil pulled me into a reassuring side hug and put his arm around me.

Laura, you’re going to make her proud. Her strength lies with you. You’ll treat her with respect in whatever that you do.

Leaning into him, I allowed his warmth to support me. “I hope so, Neil. I sincerely hope so.

When the doorbell’s piercing chime sounded, Neil was in the basement organizing dusty boxes.

I opened the door, wiped my hands on my slacks, and saw a mail carrier standing there holding one envelope.

In big, jagged handwriting, it was addressed to my mother.

“She died,” I uttered quietly, my voice catching.

The postal worker’s expression relaxed. He said, “I’m sorry for your loss,” and turned to leave.

I stared at the envelope in my palm as I shut the door. There was a feeling that something was off. The ink was dark and hasty, and the paper was a little crumpled.

I placed a finger beneath the flap and tore it open out of sheer curiosity.

As I read the words inside, which were written in sharp black ink, my breath caught:

“You’re a robber. If you still have any conscience, give back what you took.

“What the devil?” With my heart racing, I whispered. I felt cold, and the letter shuddered in my hands. A thief, my mother? That was not feasible.

“Laura?” As Neil climbed the basement stairs, his voice yelled. Dust on his clothes and an inquisitive expression on his face, he entered the room.

“What’s the matter? You appear to have seen a ghost.

I gave him the letter, my hands still shaking, without saying a word. His eyebrows furrowed in perplexity as he read it.

“A robber?” Neil looked up at me and said gently. “Your mother?”

I shook my head forcefully and said, “No.”

Neil, she wasn’t a thief. She worked hard, was honest, and was kind. There must be some sort of error here.

Neil took a while to reply. His expression was contemplative as he read the letter once more.

“Laura,” he said cautiously, “you told me your mother never wanted to discuss the source of the funds. What if—what if this is true in some way?

I crossed my arms defensively and scowled at him. “Do you mean that my mother stole that inheritance?”

Neil raised his hands in prayer.

“Don’t worry, I’m not accusing her. However, notice that this letter includes an address. Perhaps we ought to go and discover the true nature of this.

I looked back at the letter and paused. Neil had a point, as much as I detested the thought. “All right,” I answered softly. “Only because I have to disprove this letter.”

As we got closer, the mansion appeared big, its tall structure illuminating the wild garden. The overgrown shrubs and broken brickwork suggested years of neglect, despite the once-magnificent setting.

A woman who appeared to have walked out of a fashion magazine was revealed as the door cracked open.

She had flawlessly cut clothing, shiny hair, and jewels that gleamed in the last of the sunlight.

It was disturbing to see the stark contrast between her immaculate look and the dilapidated state of the house.

With a sharp and unwelcoming tone, she asked, “Can I help you?”

“Irene?” With a hesitant voice, I ventured. Her look was unreadable as she nodded. With hesitation, I added, “My name is Laura.”

“The person you accused in your letter is my mother.”

Irene examined me with narrowed eyes. I briefly feared that she would close the door in our faces, but she moved aside and waved us in with a flick of her well-groomed hand.

“Enter,” she said abruptly.

She guided us to a study that offered a window into a different era. There was a certain elegance about the leather chairs, the old desk, and the bookcases stacked with dusty, leather-bound books.

Irene crossed her legs precisely as she sat down and motioned for us to follow suit.

She said in a calm but icy tone, “My father, Charles, was a wealthy man.”

He was weak and forgetful in his later years. Your mother entered our life at that point. We initially thought she was fantastic—kind, compassionate, and diligent—when she was hired to be his caregiver. However, we were mistaken.

My stomach grew constricted. “What do you mean?” My question was hardly audible above a whisper.

Irene stated plainly, “She manipulated him.”

She led him to believe she was his daughter during the latter months of his life, when his mental state was deteriorating. She forced him to amend his will, depriving our family of half of his wealth.

“That isn’t feasible!” With shaking hands, I cried out. “My mom couldn’t, wouldn’t!”

Irene’s expression didn’t change.

She disappeared with the money after he passed away. And now we have to pick up the pieces after ten years. We’ve sold almost everything to make ends meet.

Neil gave me a shoulder squeeze. He said softly, “Laura, this sounds serious.” Perhaps we ought to—

“No!” With tears running down my cheeks, I broke off. “That is not what she would do! The most honest person I’ve ever met was my mother.

But even as I stood up for her, I started to have my doubts. Childhood memories flashed across my mind, including my mother’s apprehensive grins when I inquired about the bequest and her refusal to provide an explanation.

My mind raced, and then another thought occurred to me—Neil.

The way he had walked around the expansive property with assurance, the way he had simply called a maid by her name without introducing herself.

I turned to Neil and narrowed my eyes as Irene excused herself to answer a phone call. “Have you not been here before?”

Neil tensed, averting my eyes. His voice was a bit too calm as he said, “You’re imagining things.”

“Laura, this week has been difficult. Don’t let your thoughts to deceive you.

However, I couldn’t get rid of the sensation. There was a problem. “All right,” I murmured at last, my voice breaking.

“I’ll give the money back if my mother did this. I don’t want to live off of money that was stolen. I have to act morally.

Neil gave a nod, but his response seemed a little strange. I prepared myself for what was to happen as Irene entered the room again, resolved to find the truth, whatever it was.

The atmosphere in my mother’s house was eerily silent while I searched through her safe in search of answers.

The papers were placed carelessly, some pristine and undamaged, others yellowed with age.

My fingers brushed a little bundle of letters bound together with a faded ribbon as I rummaged through them.

One stuck out, its envelope faded, its seal damaged, but the most were unopened.

With my heart racing, I took it out and unfolded the fragile paper to read the words written in unsteady handwriting:

“To Eleanor, I hate leaving you as a child every day. Let me make it up to you, please. As you deserve, I have included you in my will. Please forgive me from the bottom of your heart.

Charles

Tears filled my eyes, blurring the words. Nothing had been stolen by my mother.

Her boss, Charles, was more than simply a good old man; he was also my grandfather and her father.

She was entitled to the fortune as retribution for the years of suffering he had caused her.

I was startled out of my reverie by a loud banging on the door. I ran to the living room, clutching the letter.

Irene was standing in the doorway, looking confident and wearing a stylish designer outfit. She smiled as Neil stood near her and said something.

“What’s happening here?” With a voice that broke the uncomfortable silence, I demanded.

Neil’s face became white as he whirled. “Laura! With an unduly upbeat tone, he said, “You’re just in time.” “Let’s sign these documents.”

Irene moved ahead while maintaining her grin. “Yes, let us not prolong this.”

Something inside of me snapped as Neil placed the papers on the table and slid them in my direction.

I immediately snatched up the papers and ripped them in two. I held out the letter and stated, “I know the truth.”

Irene paused her smile. “What truth?” she questioned in a cold tone.

“Charles was my grandfather,” I answered, maintaining a steady tone of voice despite my internal emotional turmoil.

He owed my mother the money, so he gave it to her. There was nothing that she stole.

Panic distorted Neil’s face. “Don’t be silly, Laura—”

“Stop lying!” I yelled. You were whispering to Irene, and I saw it. Haven’t you been collaborating with each other?

Irene lost her temper and turned on Neil. “You claimed she would sign! You said you would! God, it’s unbelievable that I wasted our time together.

Neil stumbled, but I interrupted him. “Leave. You two.

Neil fell on his knees and begged. “Please, Laura. I adore you, even though I committed a mistake.

“Betrayal doesn’t seem like love,” I replied icily as I took a step back. “Goodbye, Neil.”

I clutched the letter to my chest as they departed. Even if my mother’s tale wasn’t flawless, it was honest and hers. Nobody could ruin her memory, in my opinion.

I would stand up for what’s right, just as she had.

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