When it comes to family, you might assume the love you share between you is unconditional, and without consequence. There should be no competition for love, as every member of the family is equal. Our story today, inspired by the readers of AmoMama, is of two siblings who lost their father, and a house that was inherited by one of them.
Sibling Rivalry
Siblings can be the best part of your childhood and the worst. When we are young we love our brothers and sisters infinitely but there is no doubting the annoyance they can cause from time to time. This can be a good and a bad thing, depending on your circumstance. For Kate and Richard, they grew up with a big distance between them. Kate had always resented Richard, who was her younger brother because their mother had passed away not long after his birth. She had always associated her death with him. Even though she had died of causes unrelated to his birth.

Richard was the kind of person that always lightened your mood with his easy-going and compassionate nature. Laughter was never far behind when he entered a room, and Kate had always envied that about him. Not only that, but their father, Lyle, seemed to love Richard so much more. They were often found in their father’s office discussing philosophical ideas and perspectives, laughing away, and as Richard got older, they would have a nightcap every night before going to sleep.
Kate could not help but feel left out of their connection. Lyle did not love either of his children more, but Kate never seemed to be interested in controversial conversations. She was so passionate about the family business that she constantly chatted away about it. He admired her will and diligence, but unfortunately, Kate did not seem to realize that. She was always trying to best her brother in everything they did together. All in the hopes she would please her father, and shine brighter than her brother.
The Energy in Their House Shifted
As they started growing a bit older, Richard noticed that there was something amiss with their family, aside from the usual bickering from his sister. He realized that his father’s mood had shifted slightly, and he was acting all secretive. His father usually told him everything, but now, he was turning down offers for a nightcap, and he was locking himself away in his office. Kate also noticed their father’s distancing, but she was amused by it. Finally, her younger brother would understand what it is like to be left out of their father’s affairs.

Richard went to his father’s office one evening and tentatively knocked on the door. His sister was watching him from down the hallway, and she sneered at him that he was not at home. Richard looked at her with pain in his eyes, he asked her why she seemed so pleased lately when there was something wrong with their father. A weird expression crossed over her face, but only for a brief moment before her typical mask was plastered back on. She quickly said that she was not pleased with all, and then turned around to go back into her room, muttering something under her breath.
All was Revealed
Richard received a message from his father one day that invited him and his sister for dinner at their father’s favorite restaurant. They had not gone there in quite a while, so Richard was curious what this could be about. Could this be where he finds out what his father has been up to, and why he has been so secretive? Wild stories were racing through his head as he imagined what news his father has for himself and Kate. Little did he know what was to come.
He arrived at the restaurant, and Kate was outside finishing a cigarette. Their father despised smoking of any kind, but Richard was not about to go behind her back to tell him and spoil her secret. He loved Kate, regardless of how she had always treated him over the years. She nodded at him as he got closer, and flicked her cigarette away. After spritzing herself with perfume, she walked inside without waiting.