I always knew my aunt Cheryl was selfish, but I never imagined how deep her greed was running – until I revealed her greatest secrets.
When my mom died two years ago, my world broke into a million pieces. She was my hero – my best friend, my cheerleader and my rock. Cancer stole her when I was only fourteen, and left me without any immediate family except my aunt Cheryl. Cheryl quickly, almost too quickly swept, offered me “kindly”, but had side motifs.
When my mom died two years ago, my world broke into countless pieces. It was my everything – my best friend, my biggest supporter and my source of strength. Cancer took her cruelly from me when I was fourteen, and left me without any close family, with the exception of my aunt Cheryl. Almost immediately she threw herself and offered me “graciously”, but her intentions were far from clean.
“You’re a family, just,” she said with a firm smile. “And the family takes care of their own.”
At first I thought I was lucky. Aunt Cheryl and her family lived in a large, beautiful house, and I believed that I finally found stability of all chaos. But I was naive. I didn’t realize the truth – that she didn’t lead me out of love.
She took me to something much more sinister.
Aunt Cheryl had three children: Maddie, a seemingly flawless 17 -year -old; Dylan, a mischievous thirteen -year -old; and Lucas, spoiled nine -year -old. Their lives turned into a luxury, turning on the new phones, designer clothing, and fantastic dinners in top restaurants became the norm for them.
Meanwhile, I was put into a dusty, unfinished attic with a single flashing bulb, surrounded by piles of forgotten junk and old, weakened twin mattresses.
“Why can’t I stay down in the room?” I asked that night.
Cheryl shot me a cool look. “Don’t start, just. We don’t have space. You should be grateful to take you. ”
Grateful? Every meal I ate was a residual board that I had to microwave. Every shopping trip to the mall ended with lectures on how “money does not grow on trees”. And yet Maddie has always left with new clothes or expensive jewelry.
One afternoon, when I sat in my attic space, I heard Cheryl. I talked to her husband.
“I tell you, Erice, the money helps us all. The girl doesn’t even need half of it. Just sitting on it. ”
Eric murdered something I couldn’t recognize, but her words stuck with me. What money? At that time I didn’t understand it completely, but I would soon. Karma had a way to reveal the truth – for the sixteenth birthday.
I have long since gave up the expectations that I was waiting a lot for my birthday, but a small part of me still hoped my aunt would at least acknowledge it. Instead, I came down the stairs that morning to see Maddie unpacked the elegant silver MacBook.
“Oh my God! Thank you very much, Mom! ” Maddie shouted and threw her hands around Cheryl.
I cleaned my neck. “Aren’t my birthdays today?”
My aunt barely looked at me. Maddie needed it to school. It’s important, and you’re not even in advanced classes.”
“But … and what about me?” My voice wavered
Cheryl’s sharp eyes locked on mine. “Do you think I’m not doing enough for you? Be grateful that I even remembered, just. You get food and roof over your head. ”
They didn’t even like my birthday.
Tears burned in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I turned my heel and attacked back into the attic and killed the door behind me. Happy birthday, I thought bitterly. My uncle, the only person in the house who had ever shown me a favor, was gone on a business trip, so no one turned to her.
Later in the afternoon, Cheryl left and her children at Maddie’s “birthday” lunch (because Maddie got a celebration – even though it wasn’t her birthday). I was alone at home, still hurting, when a sharp knocking was heard at the house.
When I opened the door, I found a tall, confident woman there. She had penetrating gray eyes and carried a briefcase.
“Are you just?” She asked.
I nodded carefully. “Who are you?”
“My name is Olivia,” she said in a serious but calm tone. “I worked with your mother before she went through.”
My heart skipped a beat. “Did you know my mom?”
“Yes,” Olivia replied, entering in. “And I gave her a promise. Can we sit down? I have to tell you a few things. ”
We settled in the living room – the same untouched Cheryl room never let me sit. Olivia placed several dense ingredients on the coffee table.
“Your mother left you a trust fund, Jenno,” she explained. “A considerable amount of money for your future. But she was worried. She didn’t believe Cheryl would do it responsibly. Before she went through me, she asked me to watch things. ”
A knot was formed in my stomach. “What do you say?” I whispered.
Olivie softened the expression. “Your aunt spends your money, just. Trust has been intended for your education and future. But Cheryl used it to finance his lifestyle. ”
The room turned around me. My aunt stole me – for years?! Instead of protecting my future, she spent my heritage on the luxury of her children, teaching a private school and a holiday. Meanwhile, I was left to wear clothes from a second-hand store, eat the remains, and sleep in the attic.
Before I could fully process what I learned, Cheryl’s SUV covered the driveway. A few seconds later the front door opened.
“Who are you and why are you here?” Cheryl’s voice was released into the house.
Olivia remained folded when my aunt attacked, her children stuck behind her. Then Cheryl froze. She recognized Olivia.
“It’s time to answer what you did, Cheryl,” Olivia said firmly. “I’m here to discuss Jenn’s heritage – and how you abused it.”
The face of my aunt was exhausted in color. “I … I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Olivia laid documents. “Bank records. Points from Jenny’s trust fund. Expenditure unrelated to her well-being. Holidays. Cars. Teaching a private school. All that. ”
“That’s a lie!” Cheryl shouted and her voice trembled.
I got up, fists clenched. “You used me,” I said, my voice raw with emotions. “You stole me! Even the money my mom went to college?”
Cheryl’s Gaze threw herself towards her children and her calm slipped. “I had expenses! You have no idea how hard it is to raise four children!”
“Four?” I mocked. “I’ve never been your baby! I was just a paycheck! ”
Cheryl began to go, but Olivia warned her firmly. “Enough. This is a scam, Cheryl. And not to leave.”
Chaos broke out – excreted, crying, accusations – but Olivia’s voice cut it all. “You’ll need a lawyer, Cheryl.”
It wasn’t long before the truth was clear. Olivia reported fraud and my aunt’s rich lifestyle broke up. The trust was frozen, initiated court proceedings, and within a few weeks I was removed from her house. Olivia helped me find a careful foster family, where I felt safe and truly welcome for the first time in years.
Cheryl lost everything – a house, cars, even Maddie’s private school enrollment. Later I heard she blamed me, but I didn’t care. She stole the years of my life, but she couldn’t take my future.
On my 18th birthday, Olivia sat opposite me with a stack of papers.
“Jenno, the remaining funds are finally yours”
When I signed the last form, they filled tears. “Thank you.”
That night, when I looked at the stars of the veranda of my foster family, I felt the presence of my mom. You did it, just. You’re free.
Sometimes karma spends time. But when they arrive, it evokes justice. Cheryl’s greed cost her everything, while I finally had the future my mom had always dreamed for me.
And for that I would always be grateful.
In the end, justice was back to me. The greed of my aunt cost her everything, while I gained not only my legitimate heritage, but also the newly discovered feeling of freedom and belonging. Although the years I spent in Cheryl’s house were painful, they taught me resistance. They showed me that the family is not always about blood – it is love, support and people who really have their backs.
When I entered adulthood, I carried my mother’s love and lessons with me. I would build the future she always wanted for me, because I knew I survived, that I won and that I was finally free.