AT THE FINAL HEARING SHE ARRIVED SMILING, CERTAIN SHE’D WON. SHE HAD NO IDEA I’D BEEN CROUCHED UNDER HER WINDOW WITH MY PHONE RECORDING EVERY WORD.
PART 1
My aunt wanted to adopt my little sister after our parents died — just to get her hands on the money. She had no idea I had one more card to play.
I’m Michael, 19.
Three months ago, my parents died in a massive house fire. My 7-year-old sister, Vicky, survived only because I pulled her out myself. Since that night, I’ve been her sole guardian.
I left my dream college and took two jobs. Life wasn’t easy, but I made sure Vicky had everything she needed.
Then Aunt Denise and her husband, Howard, showed up. They hadn’t visited in years. But now they wanted to become Vicky’s guardians.
« You’re nineteen, » Denise cooed. « Go enjoy your life. Let the grown-ups raise her. »
