The truth in the flames
Chapter 1
My dad croaked saving his precious
princess’s butt from a fire.
I rushed to the hospital that night, and the
first glimpse I got of him?
I could barely keep a straight face.
A staffer kindly told me, “Keep the giggling
down, please.”
But when I got my hands on his ashes, I burst
out laughing even harder.
Oh, Daddy Dearest, you could have at least
left a will.
<
Leaving me with a hundred million bucks?
You shouldn’t have!
Dad died saving Brittany from a blaze, and
the news sent me straight to the hospital.
He was lying on a slab in the morgue, his face
a charred mess, practically skinless.
I just couldn’t help myself.
A worker nearby nudged me, saying, “Try to
laugh a little quieter.”
I mumbled an apology but practically skipped
to get the death certificate.
As soon as I had it, I rushed Dad off to the
crematorium.
While waiting for the ashes, I called his lawyer
and confirmed my suspicions: no will.
Dad didn’t have a wife, no secret love
children, and I was the only one on his
records.
The inheritance was all mine.
I wasted no time transferring everything into
my name.
The mansion in West Hills, the company he
owned, the garage full of luxury cars.
Oh, and the house Dad let Brittany live in.
I hated the thought of my place being tainted,
so one sunny afternoon, I went over and
asked her to move out.
But as soon as she saw me, Brittany slammed
the door in my face and called the cops.
The moment the police showed up, the door
magically flew open.
Brittany jumped out, pointing at me.
“That’s her, officer! She’s trespassing!”
I quickly chimed in, “Officer, don’t listen to
her. I just knocked. I didn’t break in.”
“Knocking? You were about to break down
the door!” Brittany clung to one of the cops,
still pointing at me. “Officer, arrest her!”
Ine omcer gave ner a look and snook ner
arm off, then turned to me.
“What’s going on here?”
I played innocent. “Trespassing for knocking?
Is that even a thing?”
“It’s not trespassing, but you’re getting close
to harassment, you know.”
Brittany smirked.
“But officer, this is my house. Is it illegal to
knock on your own front door?” I pulled out
the deed and my ID from my purse.
One of the officers compared the ID to my
face, confirming the house was mine.
<
He frowned, “This is your place? Where are
your keys?”
I pouted. “Someone’s squatting in my house.
Isn’t that illegal?”
Brittany piped up, “It’s not her house. It’s Mr.
Johnson’s. I’ll call him and he’ll come sort you
out.”
Brittany dialed Dad’s number over and over,
right there in front of us.
After several unanswered calls, she started to
panic.
“Stop calling,” I said, chuckling. “He’s not
picking up.‘
“Don’t get cocky, Stacy. Mr. Johnson is
く
probably busy!”
I snickered. “Yeah, busy kicking back in the
afterlife.”
Brittany’s face went pale. “What do you
mean? He’s your own dad! You can’t just
curse him like that. I’m telling him! He’s gonna
kick your butt when he finds out!”
“Oh, I’m shaking in my boots. Too bad he
won’t hear you complaining.” I crossed my arms, acting completely unbothered. “Did you forget? The fire at your school? My dad was dropping off something for you, heard about the fire, and ran in to save you. Didn’t find
you, got burned to a crisp.”
I sighed dramatically. “What a waste. My dad cared more about you than his own flesh and
く
blood. You didn’t even get to say goodbye.”
“You’re lying! You’re cursing Mr. Johnson!”
Brittany went ballistic, trying to hit me.
I hid behind the police officers.
“Help! She’s trying to kill me! Arrest her!”
The officers had been observing the drama
and finally stepped in.
One restrained Brittany, keeping us apart.
They advised Brittany to calm down and gave
me a verbal warning.
They knew better than to get involved too
deeply.
く
After taking us to the station to make
statements, they let us go. I overheard one of
the officers telling Brittany, “Since the house
belongs to her, either be nice and ask to stay,
or pack your bags.”
I was so grateful to that officer, I wanted to
give him a medal.
As soon as we stepped out of the police
station, Brittany’s mom, Karen, showed up.
She plastered on a fake smile when she saw
- me.
