My sister Darlene spent nearly ten years caring for our mother through a long battle with illness. She paused her life—her job, her relationships, her own dreams—to stay by Mom’s side. I chose a different path. I moved across the country, built a family, and did my best to visit when I could. But the guilt of not being there more never fully left me.
Last week, Mom passed away peacefully in her sleep. I returned home for the funeral, filled with sorrow, reflection, and a quiet relief that her pain was over.
After the service, Darlene and I sat down to discuss Mom’s estate. I thought it would be a moment of shared closure. Instead, it became something else entirely.
“You’re not getting a dime, Corinne,” she said, arms crossed. “You don’t deserve it.”
Her words hit hard.
“We both lost her,” I replied, stunned.
“But I stayed. I gave up everything. You think you can just show up and collect what you didn’t earn?”
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