I anticipated things to change when I remarried, but I never expected my new wife to take my late wife’s money. We wanted our girls’ future, not hers. She felt she could coerce me. What followed would teach her a lifelong lesson.
As I held a seaside photo of my late wife and our children, I shed a tear. “I miss you, Ed,” I muttered, touching Edith’s face in the photo. “The girls are rapidly maturing. Wish you could see them now.” The snapshot showed her dazzling grin and sparkling eyes, a reminder of the life she lost to illness.
My memories were disturbed by a faint knock. My mother entered, her eyes worried.
Charlie, honey, you can’t live in the past. Three years. You must proceed. Those girls need a mother.”
Sighing, I placed the photo frame down. “We’re fine, mom. Girls are—
Getting old! She interrupted and joined me on the couch. I know you’re trying, but you’re aging. Your office’s charming woman? Gabriela?”
I scratched my temples, experiencing a headache. “Gaby? Mom, she’s a coworker.”
“A single mother, like you, father. Consider, Charlie. For the girls.”
I remembered her remarks as she departed. Maybe she was correct. Maybe it was time to move onward.
I watched Gaby play with my girls in our backyard a year later. We married quickly after she swept into our lives.
Though not as good as with Edith, it was still enjoyable.
“Dad! Watch this!” my youngest shouted, cartwheeling.
Trying to grin, I clapped. Great work, darling!
Gaby came up, placing her arm over mine. Charlie, those gals are great. You did great.”
When she praised my parenting, I nodded, fighting the shame that always came with it. “Thanks, Gaby. Trying my best.”
“You’re a great parent. The kids must be lucky.”
I felt something was amiss with Gaby’s words as we went inside. I ignored it, desperate to make this new family work.
Gaby cornered me in the kitchen with a new glint in her eyes.
“Charlie, we need to talk about the girls’ trust fund,” she remarked sugary sweetly.
With my coffee mug to my lips, I froze. “What trust fund?”
Gaby dropped the charade, rolling her eyes. Do not act stupid. You and your financial advisor were on the phone. Edith left the daughters a sizeable nest egg, no?
Churned stomach. I never told her about the fund. Never imagined I’d need.
Gaby, that’s for their future. College, life launch—”
“Exactly!” she said. “What about my girls? Don’t they deserve equal chances?
With my cup down, I tried to speak clearly. “Yes, but that money is Edith’s legacy to her children.”
Gaby tightened her eyes. “Her kids? Charlie, we should be one family. Was that simply talk?
“That’s not fair,” I said. «I’ve treated your daughters like my own since day one»
You treated them like your own? Please. If it were true, you wouldn’t save that money for your biological offspring.”
Looking at Gaby with her comments lingering in my head, the place felt like a pressure cooker about to burst.
Breathing deeply, I tried to keep calm. “Gaby, we can’t touch that fund. For my girls’ future.”
Is that it? Are your dead wife’s desires more important than your family?
You shouldn’t talk about Edith that way. This conversation concludes. That money is undisputed. Period.”
Gaby flushed with rage. “You’re unattainable! How are you so stubborn?
As I strained for control, my jaw clenched and muscles twitched. She was so different from the lady I thought I’d married that I scarcely recognized her.
A mental plan.
“Fine! You’re right. I’ll resolve this tomorrow, okay?
Gaby’s eyes brightened up, believing she won. “Really? You mean?
I nodded.
Gaby smiled smugly. “Good. You should see reason.”
She fled the room on her heels. A door smash punctuated her fury throughout the home.
My hands covered my face as I collapsed into a chair. Gaby had shown her true self, and now she needed a stern lesson in respect and entitlement.
I made Gaby hear me contact my financial advisor the next morning.
“Yes, I’d like to set up a new account,” I shouted. “For my stepdaughters. Further funding will come from our shared income.”
I heard Gaby gasp behind me and turned to find her at the doorway, her face contorted with astonishment and rage.
As I hung up, she shouted, “What are you doing?”
Making a fund for your girls, like you desired. Together, we’ll donate what we earn.”
Eyes narrowed. “Edith’s money?”
Unchanged. You can’t negotiate that.”
Think this fixes anything? A smack in the face!”
“No, Gaby. I’m establishing limits. We create our family’s future together, not by stealing others’.
She pointed to my chest. “You pick your daughters over us. Admit it!”
“I’m following Edith’s wishes. If you can’t appreciate that, we have a problem.”
I couldn’t tell if Gaby’s sobs were genuine or staged. Charlie, I thought we were partners. I believed yours was mine.”
We’re partners, Gaby. We shouldn’t erase the past or ignore Edith’s legacy.”
Shaking shoulders, she turned away. “You’re unfair.”
“Unfair or not,” I yelled as she exited the room. I stand by my decision.”
Following weeks were filled with cold silences and trimmed discussions. Gaby alternated guilt-tripping me and ignoring me. I refused to budge.
As I put my girls to bed, my eldest inquired, “Daddy, is everything okay with you and Gaby?”
Paused, carefully picking words. “We’re working through adult issues, sweetheart. Don’t worry, okay?
Her eyes were troubled as she nodded. “We don’t want you sad again, Daddy.”
Heart clenched. I kissed her head and hugged her. I’m not sad, honey. I swear. Your happiness means most to me.”
Gaby was waiting in the hallway with her arms crossed and eyes furrowed as I exited their room.
Charlie, they’re nice kids. But my girls deserve too.”
I exhaled, recognizing her position hadn’t altered. They’re good kids. All of them. They all deserve our help.”
Shaking her head, she sneered. “Support? That trust fund would’ve helped. But you had to save Edith, didn’t you?
Playing hero isn’t the point. Respect matters. Honoring Edith and our girls’ future.”
“What about my daughters’ future? Or do you not care?
Taking a deep breath, I prepared. “We also have a fund for them. Remember, we create it together? We progress that way.”
Her laughter was sour. Oh, please. That’s your method of appeasing me. You know it’s different.”
We met, and I saw the storm in her eyes as she saw mine. I recognized this conflict was ongoing. I also knew I’d never surrender.
After months, the conflicts subsided but the anger lingered. Gaby approached me while I watched the four girls play in the garden one night.
“They look happy,” she observed.
I nodded, focusing on the kids. “They do.”
Her look was harsh as she faced me. “But you could’ve helped them all by listening to me.”
I fixed her eyes. “No, Gaby. Nothing would have been better. It would have been disrespectful.”
She started to argue, but I stopped her. The conversation is concluded. For months.”
Her departure made me sad and relieved. Gaby showed her real colors, and while it hurt to see our marriage struggle, I knew I did the right thing.
She realized I wasn’t a pushover soon. She was wrong to think she could enter our life and change the rules for her.
Though severe, this was her wake-up call.
I made my point: Edith’s legacy for our children was untouchable. Never now, tomorrow, or ever.
And watching Gaby accept that she couldn’t control me? Every second was worth it!
My heart filled with passion to be the finest father as I saw my girls play and giggle. Their future and mother’s memories were my priority. I knew I would confront Gaby’s issues head-on, as I had from the outset.
