My father never loved me or my sisters because we weren’t boys. I, Julia, was the oldest of four girls, each one a disappointment to him. When my brother Lucas was born, his love was only for Lucas. We were pushed away, dropped off at Grandma’s house one by one.

Grandma’s love was our refuge. But years later, a lawyer arrived about our grandfather Walter’s inheritance. Dad and Mom suddenly “reconnected” with us, but it was clear they wanted the money. At seventeen, I refused to be treated like a servant in my own home.

I found Walter, who listened and promised to help. With his niece Marissa, a family lawyer, we fought a bitter court battle. The judge saw through Dad’s cruelty and awarded guardianship to Grandma. Walter rewrote his will, leaving everything to me and my sisters, cutting out Dad and Lucas.

Walter spent his last years making up for lost time, teaching and loving us. When he died, I whispered, “Same goes for me,” finally feeling true family.