My Mother Left Me Her House, but Only If I Let My Brother Move in – on Christmas Morning, Everything Finally Made Sense

People saying, “If you need anything…” and vanishing.

When the lawyer read the will, it was exactly what she said.

The house was mine. But only if Quentin lived there too.

He moved in two weeks later with two duffel bags and a cardboard box.

“I’ll take the basement,” he said. “Keep out of your way.”

“Sure,” I replied.

We barely made eye contact.

I watched him.

I checked the trash.

No bottles.

I checked the bathroom. No pills.

I checked his pupils when he came home. Clear.

Still, I locked my door at night.

He tried, in his quiet way.

He fixed a leaking faucet.

Repaired a loose step on the porch. Helped Mia with homework. Showed Leo how to skip rocks.

He made them laugh.

I hated how good he was with them.

I hated that I didn’t trust it.

December came.

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