05/08/2025
My stepdad Mark died three weeks ago (sudden heart attack at 56). He never called me his daughter, never said "I love you." I can count on one hand how many times he hugged me. I was Mom's daughter from her first marriage, so I got it. When I was five, Mom married Mark, and a year later, my stepsister Ava was born. She was his princess. He lit up every time she walked into a room. His death hit me harder than I expected. I realized I'd always hoped for something more. A bond. Just once, to hear him say, "I love you, daughter." Then came THE WILL. We gathered in his lawyer's office: me, Mom, Ava, and a few extended relatives. I expected nothing. Maybe a token. Maybe nothing at all. The lawyer opened the envelope. "To Ava and my wife, Marie — I leave $5,000 each." Silence. Ava's jaw dropped. Mom gasped like she'd been punched. "And to my stepdaughter, Lucy — I leave the rest of my estate, valued at approximately $640,000, including the house, savings, and investments." The air left the room. My mom stared ahead, blinking. Then she whispered: "So HE KNEW." She stood up, grabbed Ava by the arm, and walked out without another word. I didn't move. I was frozen and confused. WHY ME? Then the lawyer handed me a second envelope. "He left you a letter." I opened it and started reading. ⬇️