It wasn’t long before Caleb arrived. I hadn’t seen him in years, and his presence in our childhood home felt foreign and unsettling. “Zoey,” he began, his voice carrying a firmness I wasn’t prepared for, “Dad’s gone, and it’s time we settled his affairs. I’m entitled to half of everything, the house included.”
Growing up, it was always just my father and me. We faced life’s challenges together, forming an unbreakable bond. I dedicated my life to caring for him, especially as his health declined. I never regretted the sacrifices, as family meant everything to me. However, my father’s passing without a will left me in a precarious situation, especially when my estranged brother arrived, claiming his share of our family home.