When Grandma passed, I assumed the farm would be mine. But instead, it went to my cousin Felicity, whose eyes only saw dollar signs. All I was left with was a cryptic letter and the offer to stay on the farm — for now. But I know there’s more to this story, and I’m determined to uncover the truth, no matter the cost.
The lawyer’s voice blurred as he finished reading the will, and a cold, heavy weight settled in my chest. The farm — our family’s legacy—now belonged to Felicity.
My cousin Felicity, who never spent more than a weekend here.
How many mornings did I wake up before dawn to help Grandma with the animals or tend to the plants?
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How many long days did I labor in the fields, the sun scorching my skin, while Felicity treated the farm as little more than a pretty backdrop for her social media?
“Are you okay, Diana?” the lawyer asked softly, breaking the silence. “Your grandmother loved you more than anyone…”
He handed me a letter, and my hands trembled as I unfolded it.
Grandma’s handwriting seemed to come alive before my eyes:
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“My beloved Diana,
If you’re reading this, the moment to decide has arrived. I know how deeply you care for this farm, just as it has been a part of me. However, I needed to ensure that its true steward would emerge. I’ve entrusted Felicity with the farm, but I’ve also given you the option to stay here for as long as you desire.
While you remain on the farm, it cannot be sold. Please be patient, my dear. The second part of my will will be disclosed in three months.
With love,
Grandma”
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Why didn’t she leave the farm to me directly?
Didn’t she trust me?
I glanced over at Felicity, her eyes already sparkling with anticipation. She was quietly speaking with her husband, Jack. I couldn’t catch every word, but fragments of their conversation drifted toward me.
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“Sell it… quick profit… developers…”
They didn’t even seem to care. To them, it was just a set of numbers. I couldn’t bear it.
Later, Felicity came to me with an offer.
“Take the money, Diana. You could make a quick profit and move to the city. It’s a great offer.”
I shook my head. “This isn’t about money, Felicity. It’s about family.”
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Felicity shrugged, her interest already fading. To her, it was all just business. But for me, this farm was my childhood—the place where Grandma taught me the values of hard work and love.
That night, I lay awake, memories of the farm swirling in my mind. I knew what I had to do. By morning, I had submitted a request for time off from my city job. I needed to be there, to reconnect with the land beneath my feet.
Felicity handed me the keys with a sly smile. She couldn’t wait to escape the responsibility.
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The mornings on the farm were a blur of work. Each day, I forced myself out of bed before the sun even thought about rising, sighing at the tasks waiting for me.
As I started feeding the cows, I couldn’t help but wonder, “How did Grandma manage all of this?”
“Good morning, Daisy,” I greeted the cow closest to me, offering a gentle scratch behind her ears. “Ready for your breakfast?”
She nudged me lightly.
“You’re the only one who actually listens to me, you know that?”
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It was a small solace in the constant grind, but it was enough to keep me moving forward. I hurried through my chores, feeding the chickens and making sure the goats were settled. By the time I finished, my mind was already on the next task.
When I finally got to work on the fence, I heard Mr. Harris coming up behind me.
“Need help again?”
“Mr. Harris, you’re a lifesaver. This fence seems to have it out for me,” I said with a smile.
He chuckled and set his toolbox down.
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“Nah, it just takes a steady hand. You’ve got to let it know who’s in charge.”
He got to work on the fence, showing me how to secure the posts properly.
“Your grandma always said, ‘A solid fence makes a happy farm.’”
“Funny, she never mentioned it would drive me crazy,” I mumbled, wiping the sweat off my forehead.
He chuckled. “She didn’t want to scare you. But you’re doing great, Diana. You care, and that’s half the battle.”
“Half the battle? What’s the rest?” I asked, genuinely intrigued.
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He studied me with a thoughtful look.
“Sticking it out when things get tough… this farm isn’t just land, you know. It’s got a soul.”
I nodded, a lump forming in my throat. “I just hope I’m doing it justice.”
He gave my shoulder a reassuring pat. “You are. More than you realize.”
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As evening fell, with the sky turning a fiery orange, I caught a strange scent.
Smoke?
I glanced toward the farmhouse and stopped dead in my tracks. Flames were clawing at the roof, rising higher and fiercer by the second.
“No! No!”
I dropped everything and sprinted toward the house, screaming as loud as I could. “Fire! Somebody, help!”
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Neighbors rushed over, but the fire spread too quickly, too fiercely. Mr. Harris grabbed my arm as I tried to push closer.
“Diana, it’s too dangerous!”
“But the animals…” I protested.
“They’re safe,” he said, his voice calm yet firm.
“Focus, Diana. You did your part. The animals are safe.”
I stood there, helpless, as the house was consumed by flames. My eyes were wide, my breath shallow and uneven.
“It’s all gone,” I whispered.
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The following morning, Felicity arrived. She looked at the destruction and shrugged.
“Well, this sure changes things, huh?”
“Felicity,” I said, trying to steady my voice, “the house may be gone, but the farm… it’s still standing.”
She crossed her arms, smirking.
“And that’s exactly why it’s time to sell. Take a look, Diana. This place is a wreck. It’s not worth the hassle.”
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I shook my head, my fists clenched at my sides. “You don’t get it. This is more than just land.”
“Maybe to you,” she replied coldly.
“But to the rest of us? It’s a money pit. So, when are you planning to leave?”
“I’m not leaving,” I snapped. “This is my home.”
Felicity rolled her eyes.
“Be realistic. You’ve lost your job. You’re living in a barn, Diana. A barn.”
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“I’ll figure it out,” I replied, my jaw clenched.
She gave me a look full of pity.
“You’re being stubborn. There’s nothing here anymore. Accept it and move on.”
With that, she turned and walked off, leaving me standing there, furious and in disbelief. I fumbled for my phone, my hands shaking, and dialed my boss. The phone rang for what felt like forever before he finally answered.
“Diana, you’re overdue on your return,” he said, getting straight to the point.
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“I need more time,” I blurted, my voice shaky. “There was a fire. The house… it’s gone.”
There was a brief silence. “I’m sorry to hear that, but we need you back by Monday.”
“Monday?” I gasped. “I… I can’t be back by then.”
“Then I’m afraid we can’t hold your position any longer.”
“Wait, please…” I started, but the call ended abruptly.
Mr. Harris approached quietly.
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“You okay?”
“No,” I whispered. “I’m not. But I’ll manage. Somehow.”
He nodded, resting a hand on my shoulder.
“You’re tougher than you realize, Diana. And this farm? It’s tough too. Don’t give up on it yet.”
I gazed at the barn, the animals, the charred ruins of the farmhouse. Felicity might want me gone, but this place? It was my heart.
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“I’m not leaving,” I repeated, this time with more determination.
“You can’t stay here like this,” Mr. Harris said softly. “I have a spare room at my place. You can stay there until you figure things out.”
His kindness almost shattered me.
“Thank you, Jack.”
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The weeks that followed were the toughest of my life. Each morning, I rose with the sun, my body sore from the day before. The farm had turned into a battleground, and I was its soldier.
I fixed fences that were on the verge of collapse, worked the land, and sowed crops by hand. The animals became my ever-present companions; they were my mornings, afternoons, and evenings. They depended on me for care, and in return, they gave me a sense of purpose.
Mr. Harris, Jack, was always around, arriving with tools, guidance, and sometimes just a comforting word.
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“This fence again, huh?” he’d joke with a grin, rolling up his sleeves to lend a hand.
He taught me more than any book ever could—how to read the land, understand the animals, and sense a storm just by the change in the air.
One evening, after a long day of work, we sat on the porch, the air thick with the scent of freshly cut grass.
“You’ve done well, Diana,” Jack said, gazing over the fields. “Your grandma would be proud.”
I nodded, my eyes fixed on the horizon.
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“I finally get it. Why she did what she did.”
“She knew this place needed someone who would love it as much as she did,” Jack said. “And that someone was always you.”
The farm became everything to me. It filled the emptiness that my job and city life had left behind.
At last, the day arrived for the second part of the will to be read. I stepped into the lawyer’s office, my hands trembling with nerves.
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Felicity was already there, wearing a smug, indifferent expression. Her husband sat beside her, tapping his foot in impatience. The room felt thick with tension.
The lawyer opened the sealed envelope, his eyes quickly scanning the letter before he began reading aloud:
“My dear Felicity and Diana,
If you are hearing this, then the time has come for the farm to find its true guardian. Felicity, I know this might come as a surprise, but I’ve always intended for the farm to go to the one who truly cares for it…”
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“As far as I know, Diana has assumed responsibility for running the farm, so unless there are any objections…”
Felicity’s face drained of color. The lawyer didn’t get a chance to finish.
“This is absurd!” she shouted. “She burned down the house! She’s a failure!”
Jack, who had accompanied me, suddenly stood up. “I think it’s time we tell the truth,” he said, handing the lawyer a receipt.
“I saw Felicity near the farm the day of the fire. She was spotted buying gasoline at the local store that afternoon.”
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“This evidence tells a different story, Ms. Felicity.”
“Fine! It was me! Somebody had to help my sister move out,” she snapped.
I watched in stunned silence as the truth unfolded, piece by piece. Felicity had been so desperate to get rid of me and sell the farm that she had turned to arson.
“Diana, the farm is now officially yours,” the lawyer said at last.
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I embraced my role as the keeper of the farm. I tended to the land and the animals just as Grandma had, feeling her presence more than ever. Her spirit seemed to echo in every corner—in the fields, the barns, the breeze that whispered through the leaves.
One evening, Jack turned to me and asked, “How about that dinner I promised you?”
“You know what, Jack? I think I finally have the time.”
We made plans, and for the first time in months, a spark of excitement flickered inside me. The farm was my past, my present, and now, with Jack’s help, maybe my future would hold a little happiness too.
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