Aunt's daughter

“What are you looking at, Brian?” Her words come out sharp, almost like blades, as she stare at the man who dares to call her son again. “You don’t even have the right to call me that. You were the one who abandoned me with Aunt Grace after Mom died. You threw your responsibility in her lap and disappeared, running away to your new family, as if I didn’t exist.”

Brian’s discomfort was obvious, but Vivian was in no mood to show compassion. Not after everything she had been through.

“I know you remember Aunt Grace, the childless spinster who didn’t know what to do with a child, much less a boy. The first few months with her were hell. She didn’t know how to raise me, how to take care of me. And then she had an idea,” Vivian continued, her gaze fixed on her father, who now seemed even more disconcerted. “‘What if I raised a girl?’

Brian opened his mouth, but couldn’t say anything. His voice seemed choked, choked with shock. Vivian took advantage of the silence and continued.

“She started slowly. First, she taught me the rules of the house, made me learn etiquette, behavior. Then came the lessons on vanity, skin care. I resisted at first, of course. I didn’t accept it. But things changed when my wardrobe started to change. My men’s clothes disappeared, and in their place appeared dresses and skirts. Little by little, I began to accept it.” And then one day, Aunt Grace came home and saw me all dressed up. She smiled and hugged me, saying, ‘Now you’re my Vivian.’

Brian’s expression was a mix of shock and disbelief.

“She did what?” he finally managed to say, anger beginning to fill his words. “Turned my son into a… little bit..?”

Vivian let out a bitter laugh, interrupting him.

“Your son?” she repeated sarcastically. “No, Brian. Your son doesn’t exist anymore. Victor died the day you abandoned me. You didn’t want to know about me, you ran away to your new life, your new family. Now, I’m Vivian Grace. Suzan’s daughter. And guess what? Aunt Grace’s sole heir.”

The words hit Brian like a wave. He remained silent, trying to process what he had heard. For a moment, his mouth moved, but nothing came out. Vivian watched his discomfort and felt a bitter taste of satisfaction.

— From the way you’re desperately knocking on my door, it seems the rumors were true. Aunt Grace died, and I inherited everything. Now here you are, covered in debt, begging for some of my generosity. But do you know what’s ironic, Brian? — She took a step forward, her heels clicking on the floor. — You never knew me. You never wanted to. And now you want me to feel something for you?

Vivian stared at him for a long moment. The man before her was fragile, destroyed by debt and despair. But she had no mercy. Not anymore.

— You know what? The generosity you seek doesn’t exist here. Not for you.

She walked over to the door and, with a decisive gesture, closed it in Brian’s face. Outside, he stood still, unable to react. Inside, Vivian finally felt in complete control of her life. She had overcome the past, and now, she was the one who made the rules.