Grandma's Will Left Me Nothing Until I Discovered Her Secret Plan
When Grandma died, I believed the farm would be mine. Instead, it was given to my cousin, Felicity, who only cares about money. All I received was a mysterious letter and permission to stay on the farm—for now. But there’s more to this than it looks, and I am determined to find out the truth, no matter what it takes.
The lawyer’s voice faded as he finished reading the will. I felt a heavy, cold weight on my chest. The farm, the core of our family, now belonged to Felicity.
My cousin, Felicity, rarely spent more than a weekend here.
How many mornings did I get up before sunrise to help Grandma with the animals or the garden?
How many long afternoons did I spend working outside, the sun scorching my skin, while Felicity used the farm as a pretty backdrop for her social media posts?
"Are you okay, Diana?" the lawyer asked softly, interrupting the silence. "Grandma loved you more than anyone…"
He handed me a letter, and my hands trembled as I opened it.
Grandma’s handwriting danced in front of my eyes:
"My dearest Diana,
If you are reading this, a choice has arrived. I know this farm is your heart, as it was mine. But I needed to see if the person who truly cares for it would come forward. I’ve left the farm to Felicity, but I’ve also given you permission to live here as long as you wish.
As long as you stay on the farm, it cannot be sold. Please be patient, my dear. The second part of my will will be revealed in three months."
Love, Grandma."
Why didn’t she leave me the farm directly?
Did she not trust me?
I looked over at Felicity, her eyes already shining with excitement. She was whispering with her husband, Jack. I couldn’t hear everything, but bits of their talk floated over.
"Sell it quickly for profit… developers coming..."
They didn’t care about the land. It was just a number to them. I found it hard to watch.
"Take the money, Diana. Leave this place," Felicity later suggested.
"It’s a good amount. You could live comfortably in the city."
"This isn’t about money, Felicity. It’s about family."
Felicity shrugged, already uninterested. To her, it was just business. But to me, this farm was my childhood. Grandma showed me how to work hard and love this land.
That night, I stayed awake, memories of the farm swirling in my mind. I knew I had to act. By morning, I asked for time off from my city job. I needed to be there, to feel the earth beneath my feet.
Felicity handed over the keys, smirking. She was eager to escape the responsibilities.
How the days on the farm went by was a blur of work. Every morning, I forced myself out of bed before dawn, groaning at what lay ahead.
While feeding the cows, I wondered, “How did Grandma do this every day?”
"Good morning, Daisy," I told the cow closest to me, giving her a scratch behind the ears. "Time for breakfast?"
She nudged me softly.
"You’re the only one who listens to me, you know that?"
It was a small comfort amid constant chores, but it kept me going. I hurried through feeding chickens and tending goats. Before I knew it, I was onto the next task.
When I went to repair the fence, Mr. Harris came approaching.
"Need help again?"
"Mr. Harris, you're a lifesaver. Something about this fence hates me."
He chuckled, setting down his toolbox.
He said, "No, it just needs a firm hand. Show it who’s boss."
He started working, showing me how to strengthen the posts.
"Grandma used to say, ‘A good fence makes a happy farm.’"
"She never told me it would drive me crazy," I muttered, wiping sweat off my face.
He laughed again. "She wanted to keep you from quitting. But you’re doing well, Diana. That’s half the battle."
"Half? What’s the rest?" I asked, genuinely curious.
He looked at me with a serious expression.
"Perseverance when times are tough. This farm isn’t just land. It has a soul."
I nodded, my throat tightening. "I hope I’m doing it justice."
He patted my shoulder. "You are. More than you think."
Later that evening, the sky turned an orange hue, and I noticed something strange.
Smoke?
I looked toward the farmhouse and froze. Flames were engulfing the roof, climbing higher and growing more fierce.
"No! No!"
I dropped everything, shouting at the top of my lungs. "Fire! Someone help!"
Neighbors rushed in but couldn’t stop the blaze. Mr. Harris grabbed my arm.
"Diana, it’s too dangerous!"
"But the animals..." I started.
"They’re safe," he said firmly.
"Focus, Diana. You did your part. The animals are safe."
I watched helplessly as the house burned completely. My eyes widened, my breath ragged.
"It’s all gone," I whispered.