The Girl They Underestimated
591 Views · Ongoing · Agatha Christie
"Sign the Brooklyn house over to Isla. I'll cover your tuition next semester."
Gabriel didn't look up. Just sat there in his leather chair like he was doing me a favor.
My mother grabbed my sleeve. "She has depression, Rachel. She just needs a studio. Why are you making this so hard?"
I looked at her, then at him. That house was the only thing my father left me when he died. The only thing. And my stepbrother was sitting in his leather chair, offering me a trade like it was nothing.
"That house is the only thing my father left me," I said. "You know that."
Gabriel finally looked up. "I know. Sign anyway."
My mother tightened her grip on my sleeve. I shook her off.
"Give me the pen."
I signed. Grabbed my suitcase — packed for three days — and walked out.
I had nowhere to go. I didn't care.
Gabriel didn't look up. Just sat there in his leather chair like he was doing me a favor.
My mother grabbed my sleeve. "She has depression, Rachel. She just needs a studio. Why are you making this so hard?"
I looked at her, then at him. That house was the only thing my father left me when he died. The only thing. And my stepbrother was sitting in his leather chair, offering me a trade like it was nothing.
"That house is the only thing my father left me," I said. "You know that."
Gabriel finally looked up. "I know. Sign anyway."
My mother tightened her grip on my sleeve. I shook her off.
"Give me the pen."
I signed. Grabbed my suitcase — packed for three days — and walked out.
I had nowhere to go. I didn't care.

















































