I found out what my mean stepmother had been hiding since my dad died: she will get what she deserves.

When Ellie’s parents die years apart, her stepmother Janice takes over caring for her. She controls Ellie’s whole life and makes her live in the shadows of her stepbrothers. But Ellie has to do something when her Aunt Jody tells her a secret.

My father became the most important person in my life after I lost my mother when I was three years old. He was the center of my world because I didn’t have any grandparents on either side.

Aunt Jody, my dad’s sister, was still around, but she had moved to a different country a long time ago and lived at sea.

I only knew my dad, then.

Then, when I first started school, my dad brought Janice home with her two sons. They would become my stepmother and step-siblings.

At first, everything was okay. Janice was nice to me and brushed my hair every night until it was smooth and shiny. She even asked me to be at the wedding of her and her dad.

She would say, “Oh, Ellie,” instead of calling me Eleanor. “You have to be my flower girl!” Jack and Avery will carry the rings, but I need you, my sweetheart, to be my flower girl.

I stayed involved with Janice and my dad’s wedding plans while they were making them. She showed me the flowers she liked and the color scheme she wanted. She also let the boys and me try different flavors of wedding cake.

Avery said, “I like the peanut butter cake,” as she wiped the frosting off my dress.

“And what do you like, Ellie?” Janet asked.

I told her, “Chocolate,” and I loved the attention she gave me.

Even though it scared me to share my dad with our new family, I was glad Janice wasn’t the bad stepmother I thought she would be. Still, I missed my mom at the end of the day.

Then, right after my sixteenth birthday party, my dad started to say that he was having chest pains.

“Oh, Ellie,” he said one day as we walked through a grocery store getting everything on Janice’s list.

“What’s wrong?” I asked as I saw him clench his chest.

He told me, “I’ll be fine, El,” when we got home. “I’ve just been overdoing it lately.”

A few weeks after that, my dad died at home. He had a heart problem that didn’t show up until that day at the store. My dad wouldn’t go to the doctor, though.

That’s when Janice changed into the mean stepmother I had been afraid of for years.

“No, Eleanor,” she told her as she made breakfast for Jackson and Avery one morning. “I’ve decided that Jackson needs your room.” It’s a lot bigger, and he needs room for his gym gear. I’m going to use the money your dad left behind to fix up the boys’ rooms.

I had no choice. January would not let me speak up for myself, no matter how hard I tried. She would tell me I should be thankful that she kept me in the house. Some days were polite, and other days were loud and full of arguments.

I let Janice run my life for two years. She changed everything in the house to suit her tastes, so there were not many things that reminded me of living with my dad.

I asked Janet, “Where is the clock from the living room?” one morning.

That clock was great. I was scared of it when I was younger, but my dad told me that it had been passed down for many years.

“When it chimes,” said he, “You must remember your family.”

But then it was gone one day.

“I sold it,” Janice said as she drank her smoothie. “It didn’t go with the rest of the decor.” Leave now. Isn’t today the last day of school?”

I felt like a piece of myself was missing when I got to school. I thought I wouldn’t feel the same way about a clock after my parents died, but I did.

I texted Aunt Jody to let her know I was thinking about you. Janice is in charge of everything now. I need to get a job soon.

Due to the time difference, I didn’t think she would answer.

But Aunt Jody called me right as the bell rang to end the day.

She said hello and then asked, “Are you alone?”

I said, “Yes, I’m still at school.”

“I read what you wrote. She told him, “You need to leave before they figure out the truth.”

“What on earth are you talking about?”

“They have kept it from you.” Elle, your dad left you everything. I’m shocked. The inheritance is yours by right. Janet has been hiding this from you because she wants to be in charge.

The truth hit me like a freight train. I didn’t know it, but all these years I lived with Janice and her sons when I should have been the heir to my father’s estate.

“How could she do that?” I made it, but my voice was barely above a whisper.

Aunt Jody told her, “Don’t worry.” “I need to talk to our lawyer.” I’ll start the party and lock the estate so that only you can get in.

I knew she couldn’t see me, but I still nodded.

She told him, “Leave the house tonight.” “My lawyer will get things done quickly, and Janice will soon find out about it.” I need to know that you’re not in the house and are safe. I’ll get you a ticket as soon as I can.”

I said I would be, and I will. I was going to pack my things up, go home, and leave right away for my friend Mariah’s house.

Before I left the house where I grew up, I wrote a note to my stepmother and stepbrothers in the kitchen. It wasn’t out of spite; it was a sign of strength for what was to come.

The inheritance you kept from me and used to control me is rightfully mine. Take this as my last goodbye. Whether you agree or not, I’m leaving to get what’s mine.

The note I left on the kitchen table was a sign that I was leaving and the first step toward getting back to the life my dad wanted for me.

If Aunt Jody has her way, Janice will be leaving my house soon. I don’t know what will happen to her. I’m going to wait to make my next move while I stay with Mariah.

What would you do if you were me?