Dad’s Rоlех was the only thing he left me. Mom and her new husband sold it for my stepbrother’s «startup.» The pawn shop owner called: «Ma’am, you need to see what was hidden inside this watch…»

Peace if that boyfriend of yours is still around, the one who borrowed money and never paid it back. Dump him. You deserve better.

I laughed through my tears, even the boyfriend line. Dad had been dead on about Marcus, who I dumped six months after dad passed. The bonds were there, as promised.

The journal was filled with dad’s meticulous records, including several big contractors who still owed him money. One name jumped out, Richardson Construction, which owed $15,000 for a job dad completed a month before his diagnosis. They were still in business, still prominent.

They probably hoped the debt died with him. They were wrong. I spent that evening at a hotel, making plans.

The next morning, I hired a lawyer, Diane Vasquez, who specialized in estate recovery. She looked at dad’s journal and smiled like a shark. Your father kept impeccable records.

This is all actionable. The bonds are clean, and these debts, they don’t just disappear because someone dies. How long to recover it all? The bonds immediately.

The debts? Give me three months. I gave her the retainer and drove back to mom’s house. I couldn’t think of it as home anymore.

They were in the living room with Tyler, who was gesticulating wildly about his app. Revolutionary integration of blockchain and social media. He stopped when he saw me.

Amelia, he said with his practice charm. Look about the watch. Save it.

I turned to mom and Richard. I’m moving out. Today.

Don’t be ridiculous, mom started. Over a watch. Over a betrayal.

Over you choosing them over me, again and again. Over you letting them steal from me because you think I don’t deserve what’s mine. Where will you go? Richard asked, probably calculating if they could rent my room for more.

That’s not your concern anymore. Tyler stood. I’ll pay you back when the app takes off.

No, you’ll pay me back now. $8,500 plus interest. My lawyer will be in touch.

Lawyer? Mom went pale. Mia, you can’t. I can.

I am. They had always said the best time to stand up for yourself is the moment you realize you’re being stood on. I packed my things…