Chapter 7 - The Reveal
"Grandma, she rented this place just to spite me!" Emily cried out, turning to play the victim, tears of frustration finally breaking through her bridal makeup. "She’s spending money she doesn't have just to sabotage my wedding day!"
Grandma Eleanor looked at Emily with profound pity and cold disappointment.
"She didn't rent this place, Emily," Grandma said, her voice cutting through the silence of the valley. "Claire owns it. Every single vine, every stone cottage, and every drop of wine on this property belongs to your sister."
Emily froze. Her hands dropped slowly from my shoulders, her jaw slackening in total, uncomprehending shock.
"What?" Emily whispered, looking around at the four-million-dollar estate, the sprawling barrel rooms, and the uniform staff attending the terrace. "That's... that's impossible. She has a tiny garden project..."
"While you were busy buying followers and demanding luxury gifts from people who couldn't afford groceries," Uncle Thomas spoke up, stepping forward with his arms crossed, "Claire spent ten years breaking her back to build one of the top wine labels in northern California. She paid off my medical bills last winter without telling a soul. She bought Grandma’s prescription supplies for three years."
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Mom stepped onto the terrace, her face pale as ash, looking at the grand estate and then at me. "Claire... is this... this is all yours?"
"Yes, Mom," I said softly, looking at the woman who had spent twenty-nine years dismissing me. "This is the 'little project' you never had time to visit."
