Two weeks later, he passed away peacefully in his sleep.
Linda came to the funeral. She arranged everything. Chose his favorite flowers. Selected a soft jazz piece he loved for the memorial service. She stood by the casket, hands clasped, silent and dignified, as people offered condolences.
And then—like she had so many times before—she disappeared again.
My brothers didn’t stop her. In fact, I overheard them whispering, “Dad probably kicked her out to make sure she couldn’t claim anything.”
After the traditional 49-day mourning period, we met with the lawyer to settle the estate. It was pretty straightforward. Dad had left behind the family house, a small countryside plot, and some farmland.
We split it three ways.
That was it.
I thought the story had ended.
