The InheritanceChapter 3

"Dad? Mom? We're home!"

Chloe waltzed in, pulling Leo behind her. She was wearing a tight dress, clearly meant to showcase the "surprise." Leo was holding a cheap bouquet of flowers, playing the part of the nervous, humble suitor.

It was the same act as last time.

Richard and I just sat on the sofa. We didn't get up. We didn't speak.

The silence in the room stretched. Chloe's smile faltered.

"Mom? Dad? This is Leo. We're in love. And... I'm pregnant!"

She waited, bracing for the explosion.

I just sipped my tea.

Richard folded his newspaper. "Is that all? We were about to go to bed."

They both just stared, completely baffled. This wasn't in their script.

"Dad! Are you listening to me?" Chloe's voice cracked. "I'm pregnant! I'm five months pregnant!"

"We see that," Richard said, his voice flat. "And? This is your life. Your choice. Why are you here?"

Chloe was speechless. Her eyes filled with tears of frustration.

Leo stepped forward, striking a protective pose. "Mr. and Mrs. Sheng. I know this is a shock. But I love Chloe, and I will take care of her and our child. I promise. We just... we need your blessing."

He started to pull Chloe to her knees.

"Don't," I said.

My voice was low, but it stopped them cold. I finally looked at Leo.

"Take care of her with what, exactly? Your part-time job at the vape shop? Your dreams of being a music producer? Do you have any idea what a nanny costs in this city? Or is Chloe supposed to do that, in your fourth-floor walk-up in Bushwick?"

Leo's face flushed. "Money isn't everything! We love each other! I'll get a better job!"

"Will you?" I pushed a file across the coffee table. "That is Chloe's education trust. It's worth one million dollars. It's hers, on the condition she enrolls at Columbia this fall."

I watched the greed flicker in their eyes.

"However," I continued, "if she chooses not to go... if she chooses to have this baby... the trust is void. Her credit cards will be deactivated. She will be removed from our will, our insurance, everything. She will be, for all legal purposes, on her own."

"You... you can't!" Chloe was shaking. "I'm your daughter!"

"And as your mother, this is my last lesson for you: choices have consequences." I stood up. "So, you have a decision to make. A million dollars and a future... or him. Think it over."

I turned to Richard. "I'm tired. Let's go to bed."

We walked right past them and went upstairs.

Behind us, I heard the first real, terrified sob.