“HOW DARE YOU?” Helga’s voice echoed through the phone so loudly that Julia could hear it distinctly as she stood in the kitchen.

Mrs. Hanson, their mother, sat tensely in the living room, clutching the phone receiver tightly. She had just finished explaining how she had divided the will, and Helga was furious about it.

Helga was the daughter who only bothered to call when she needed something. Helga who rarely visited, never lent a helping hand, and seemed to care the least.

Helga was to receive 30% of the inheritance.

Julia, who had dedicated countless years to taking care of their sick father and mother, was to receive the remainder.

Many would agree it was only fair.

But for Helga, it was an outrageous injustice.

“MOTHER! You can’t hand everything to Julia! She doesn’t even have any kids! What about my twins? They need their share of the inheritance!” Helga screamed.

Mrs. Hanson sighed deeply and rubbed her temples. “Helga, it doesn’t matter if Julia has children or not. She gave up so much of her life to care for your father and me, while you…” Her voice trailed off, but the meaning was clear.

The truth was evident to both of them.

“You’re married. You have a husband and a support system. Julia doesn’t.”

But Helga wasn’t ready to accept that reasoning.

“I DON’T CARE WHAT JULIA HAS DONE! YOU KNOW WHAT? I CAN’T WAIT FOR YOU TO DIE, AND I’LL SUE FOR MY SHARE! GOODBYE!” Helga concluded with an angry slam of the phone.

Mrs. Hanson flinched, but Julia stood fuming with anger.

“She didn’t mean it,” Julia tried to reassure her mother, lying to ease her grief.

But both knew that Helga’s words were deeply meant.

The Day of the Funeral… Helga’s Act Begins

The months went by.

Mrs. Hanson’s health dwindled away.

When she finally passed, Helga turned the funeral into her stage for an elaborate act.

Crocodile tears. Overly dramatic sobbing and gasps.

She threw herself on the coffin like a dutiful daughter grieving her loss.

As if she hadn’t spent the last few months in angry outbursts directed at their mother.

Most of the family saw right through the charade.

And when the contents of the will were finally unveiled, Helga’s faux sorrow abruptly vanished.

The battle was just beginning for her.

Julia’s “Generous” Proposal

The phone calls were continuous.

Helga begging Julia: “Just give me a little more.”

“You don’t need all that.”

“Think of the twins!”

Her persistence didn’t cease.

So, Julia decided it was time to devise a plan.

They met for coffee, where Julia made her offer:

“I’ve decided to move to New York and sell Mom’s house. It’s under my name, but I’m willing to give you 50% of the proceeds from the sale.”

Helga brightened up instantly.

“Finally, you’re being sensible!” she exclaimed in relief. “Our mother was so stubborn.”

Julia faked a smile in response.

The sale of the house proceeded swiftly.

And with her greed unabashed, Helga almost salivated at the thought of her impending financial gain.

“I’ll deposit your share in a bank account,” Julia continued in a syrupy sweet tone. “You’ll receive the banking information soon.”

“You’re the best, Julia!” Helga beamed, her smile as sly as a serpent’s.

Julia just nodded in acknowledgment.

“Great. It’s settled then… goodbye.”

And there she left.

The Final Reveal

A week later, Helga received the details she had been eagerly waiting for.

With her husband in tow, she hurried to the bank.

“Did your sister really have to give it this way instead of a direct transfer?” her husband inquired, appearing doubtful.

“She’s clueless,” Helga dismissed sharply. “Let’s just get hold of our money.”

They guided her to a safety deposit box room.

Her hands tingled with excitement as they touched the box.

She imagined stacks upon stacks of cash awaiting.

But what she found was…

Three solitary one-dollar bills.

Neatly placed inside the box.

Beside it, a single note read,

“That’s all you deserve.”

Helga’s blood-curdling scream echoed throughout the bank.

She called Julia, only to discover her number was blocked.

Julia had already moved on.

The sisters parted ways forever.

The Takeaway

What would you do if you were in Julia’s position? Would you respond differently? Let’s think about it.