I Gave Up My Inheritance

I rubbed my eyes, but my grandfather, Ronald Anderson’s, hand was no longer moving.

I did not dare to take the ring off. I lightly grabbed Ronald’s finger.

It was very cold, and it did not feel like he was alive.

I stood up and yelled, “Stop fighting! Let’s take Grandpa to the hospital first!”

They stopped fighting for a while. My aunt, Mary Anderson, rolled her eyes at me. “Dad was just discharged from the hospital. Why do you want to take him there again?”

I said reluctantly, “What if he’s still alive?”

My uncle, Ted Anderson, threw the death certificate at me.

“Dad had a tumor in his brain. He wasn’t going to live long with that condition. Now that he’s finally dead, why are you spoiling the mood?”

I picked up the death certificate and stared at it.

It seemed real.

Was I hallucinating earlier? Was Ronald really dead?

My uncle’s wife, Patty Anderson, smacked her lips and said, “It’s great that he’s dead, but why didn’t he leave a will? If he had, do you think the rest of you would even have a chance at snatching the inheritance?

“My son, Charlie, is the sole grandson of the Anderson family. He should be the sole heir of the inheritance.”

Mary was furious. “My son is also my dad’s grandson. Why isn’t he getting anything? The only undeserving person should be Peter’s daughter, Kiera.”

When she said that, she glanced at me.

“Kiera wouldn’t even share our last name after she’s married. She’s basically an outsider. I think a few gold bars are more than enough for her.”

My mother was furious. She stepped forward and pushed Mary away.

“Who the hell are you to say that? Aren’t you married too? Ronald liked Kiera the most when he was alive. Kiera should get what she deserves!”

When I saw that they were about to fight again, I covered my ears in annoyance. Then, I looked over at Ronald again.

This time around, I saw his eyelid move.

I was not hallucinating. Ronald was still alive!

Why did he fake his death?

I gulped nervously and tugged on my mother’s sleeve.

“Mom, stop fighting! It’s fine. I don’t want the inheritance!”