After my dad’s funeral, I returned to his house, only to find the locks changed. My stepmom stood on the porch, arms crossed, with her two adult kids smirking behind her.

“This is our home now,” she said. “Your dad left it to us.”

I was stunned. My father had always promised I’d have a place here. But they had wasted no time shutting me out.

Thankfully, my mom had anticipated something like this. She handed me a folder—his real will. The one my stepmom had conveniently ignored.

With a lawyer by my side, I knocked again. This time, I had the law on my side.

“My dad left the house to me,” I said, handing her the document.

Her face drained of color. The lawyer confirmed it—the house wasn’t hers to take.

An hour later, she and her kids were packing their bags. As they left, my mom squeezed my hand.

“Your dad made sure you’d always have a home.”