Her stepfather was the only one who cared for her. Now that he’s gone, she’s left with a considerable amount of money, and she refuses to share it with her untrustworthy mom and half-brother!
They Hit the Jackpot
OP (Original Poster) is 25 now, but she was only a little girl when her dad passed away. Then, by the time she was five years old, her mom got married to her stepfather, Lee.
Lee was wealthy, so OP’s mother did not have to worry about having to work. OP was also provided everything that she needed or wanted growing up.
Not the Woman for Him
However, even with all that wealth, they have never received acceptance from Lee’s family. According to OP, they were “not pleased” that Lee chose to marry a widow with a child.
Only He Cared
That said, she and Lee were still close. Even after her brother, Sam, who’s now 18, was born, Lee still continued to care for her.
But unlike Lee, it was clear that her mother’s favorite was Sam, and she didn’t really pay much attention to OP.
The Unrecognized One
With Sam entering the family, Lee’s relatives started to warm up to OP’s mom. Sadly, their treatment toward OP was still the same, making her feel like she was “something invisible.”
Unlike OP, Sam always got invited to play at the houses of Lee’s relatives. Because of how they grew up, OP and Sam didn’t build a strong bond growing up, either.
Like a Real Father
It was not a surprise when OP decided to go to university overseas. Lee supported her in her endeavors and provided her with enough money to cover the costs of everything during her stay there.
Aside from that, he would constantly check on her through calls or letters. Conversely, OP only spoke to her mom and Sam every few months.
Visits in the Middle of the Pandemic
When OP graduated, Lee urged her to “come home,” but she wanted to work and live alone for a little while. Then, the pandemic happened, and OP couldn’t fly back home.
When the lockdown was lifted, OP’s family visited her once and left when she told them she preferred to continue working where she was. Lee, however, saw her a couple more times by himself.
Suddenly, He Was Gone
Sadly, Lee passed away a few months before OP shared this story. It was also only after he died that they learned he was sick, as he never let anyone know that something about his health was amiss.
Lee’s Legacy
In Lee’s will, he left his relatives most of his valuables, including his house and businesses. OP’s mom was left with almost nothing except for the things he had already given her: jewelry, $60,000 in cash, and 2 cars.
She, however, couldn’t contest it, as she never legally married him.
A Million-Dollar Heritage
Lee left Sam $150,000. But the rest of his estate went to OP!
OP wrote, “It was a seven-figure USD, a life-changing amount.”
Meticulously Planned Deception
To everyone’s shock, it turned out that Lee found out that Sam was not his biological son. For years, this was never revealed.
Powered by Greed
Because of how things turned out, OP’s mother and half-brother angrily demanded that she share the money she received with them. She told them she would put the money in a few low-risk investments, and the three of them could split the gains.
However, OP’s suggestion wasn’t “good enough” for them, and they said they wanted at least 25% each of what Lee left her.
The Only Logical Explanation
OP argued with them, saying it wasn’t like they were left with nothing. She said that if Sam wanted to study, he could still attend a good university and that her mom had enough money to get her own place.
She added that the investments could be a long-term source of income for all of them.
Lee’s Family to the Rescue
OP’s mom and half-brother accused her of being “greedy” and threatened to take legal action. But surprisingly, Lee’s relatives came to her defense.
OP wrote, “Lee’s relatives told them they could make my mom and Sam’s lives very difficult if they tried to give me a hard time and go against Lee’s wishes.”
Keeping Her Word
OP intends to pursue the investment and split the gains with her mother and Sam, but that’s it.
OP added, “I won’t let them touch the money Lee left me, though, because I don’t trust them not to go through that money in just a few years.”
The Community’s Thoughts
The people of Reddit are on OP’s side and said that she made the right decision. Some also gave her a couple of helpful advice on how she can handle the situation.
The top commenter said, “Not the a**hole. You aren’t his biological daughter, but the daughter he chose. Splitting the gains is already nice for you. But don’t give your mother too much; otherwise, she will pay a lawyer to sue you.”
“Not the a**hole. Keep the money you inherited, and do what you want with it. And please talk with a tax advisor for your country before proceeding with your plan to split the gains from the investments. Remember that because those investments will be in your name, you’re likely the one to be liable for the taxes on those gains,” another Redditor stated.
Honor His Wishes
Redditors also believe that Lee left his will that way for a reason, and it’s for the best that OP respected what her stepfather wanted and kept what was rightfully given to her.
“Not the a**hole. The best way to honor Lee’s wishes is to let them have exactly what he wanted and no more. They aren’t entitled to what Lee plainly didn’t want them to have,” a commenter said.
Another user wrote, “You’re the only one who never felt entitled to Lee’s money and the only one who really cared for him instead of his money. Karma has its way with these things. Don’t go against his wishes now.”
Was it right for OP not to share the inheritance? What do you think?
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This post first appeared as She Refused to Share the Seven-Figure Inheritance She Received From Her Stepfather With Her Selfish Mother and Half-Brother. Now They’re Accusing Her of Being “Greedy” and Threatening to Sue Her! on Quote Ambition.
