My husband had strictly forbidden me from visiting his farm, but after his death the lawyer handed me the keys and said, “Now it’s yours.” I planned to sell it, but out of curiosity I decided to visit first. When I opened the door, I lost my breath, because inside was… – INFO DESK

With a deep breath, I closed the laptop, retrieved the blue folder from the drawer, and went to face whatever came next.

As I reached for the door handle, my phone rang.

Jenna—our daughter—calling from home.

I hesitated, then answered. “Jenna, now’s not a good time.”

“Mom.” Her voice was tight with anger. “Why didn’t you tell me about Dad’s farm or the oil? His brothers just called me offering a fair settlement if I help them contest the will. What the hell is going on?”

So they’d reached out to my daughter already. The realization ignited something protective and fierce within me. They weren’t just coming after me. They were trying to manipulate my grieving daughter.

“I’ll explain everything later,” I promised, watching the police officer exchange words with the brothers. “But Jenna—don’t agree to anything. Don’t agree to anything. These men are not our friends.”

“Mom, if there’s money involved—”

“This isn’t about money,” I interrupted, surprising myself with the conviction in my voice. “This is about what your father wanted. Please trust me on this.”

After a moment of silence, she sighed. “Fine. But call me back as soon as you can.”

I hung up and opened the door to face a young RCMP officer flanked by three Mitchell men whose expressions ranged from smug to openly hostile.

“Mrs. Mitchell, I’m Constable Wilson. These gentlemen have a court order requesting an inspection of the property as part of an ongoing estate dispute.”

I smiled calmly, channeling the strength Joshua had always admired in me. “Of course, Constable—but first, I think you should see these.”

I held out the blue folder containing Joshua’s documentation. My husband anticipated this exact situation.

The oldest brother, Robert, stepped forward with a dismissive wave. “Family property disputes are complicated, Constable. My sister-in-law is understandably emotional and confused.”

“Actually,” I interrupted, “I’m neither emotional nor confused. I’m a widow standing on property that legally belongs to me, facing three strangers who happen to share my late husband’s DNA.”

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