I’m Elena, 23, freshly graduated, back home hoping to save money and find a job. Losing my mom at 14 left me and my dad grieving together. When he met Carol, I tried hard to fit in—helping around the house, keeping quiet—but nothing helped.
During college, I found peace away from home, but returning after graduation felt necessary. From day one, Carol made it clear she didn’t want me there. If I forgot a chore or made a small mistake, she’d erupt. Even my dad stayed silent.
One day I came home from an interview to find my belongings packed outside. Carol said, “You just need to move out,” and my dad quietly agreed. I packed up and left, unsure of what came next.
Then, just a few days later, I got a letter from my late godmother’s lawyer. She left me her home, about $230K in savings, and half of her flower shop—worth around $180K. I had a new place and a second chance.
When Carol and Dad later apologized and offered me a return, I declined. I had built something new—my own home and a future with the floral boutique. The pain of being cast out taught me how strong I am. That loss wasn’t an end—it was a beginning.