“I’m not even sure why she left it to me,” she said, her tone neutral. Helen’s frown intensified, her fury bubbling just beyond the surface. “That ‘old junk’ belonged to your grandmother,” she said calmly. “It might have sentimental value or contain something valuable. You should at least go see what’s inside.” Janet rolled her eyes, obviously disinterested. “I doubt there is anything decent. The house belonged to Simon, and I received a dusty old storage container. “It’s not fair,” she protested, her tone sour. Helen took a long breath, trying to keep her calm.

“Life is not about fairness, Janet. You should respect your grandma enough to look into it. If you don’t, I’ll have Simon look into it.” Janet’s countenance hardened as she mentioned her elder brother. She couldn’t tolerate the thought of Simon taking anything else from their grandma. The concept alone made her blood boil. “Fine, I’ll go tomorrow,” she responded, her voice full of displeasure. The only reason she accepted was to protect Simon from gaining anything else, not because she was interested in the storage unit or its contents. Helen observed her daughter with dismay and concern, aware that Janet’s selfishness had clouded her judgment. But for the time being, she could only hope that a visit to the storage unit would instill a feeling of duty or, at the very least, tenderness in Janet’s heart.

The next day, Janet drove to the storage facility with a gloomy attitude. She had been dreading this assignment since her mother requested she investigate what was inside the apartment. The idea of sorting through old, dusty stuff did not appeal to her in the least. The inconvenience irritated her and convinced her that she would be better off spending her time elsewhere—doing anything but this. Upon reaching the storage unit, a cloud of dust welcomed her, prompting her to cough and wave her hand in front of her face. Her gaze swept the tiny, barely lit chamber as the dust settled. What she saw didn’t raise her spirits. The apartment was jam-packed with ancient furniture, wobbly shelves stocked with dusty boxes, and a strange mix of what appeared to be useless things. Her irritation grew as she began sifting through the goods, one by one. Each box she opened seemed to contain the same dull, unexciting items: faded garments smelling of mothballs, chipped dishes, mismatched forks, and mugs that appeared to have been out of use for decades. “This is such a waste of time,” Janet grumbled to herself, tossing down a stack of yellowed papers that resembled little more than old invoices. She was fed up after only a few minutes of rummaging. She could not believe her grandma had left her in such a mess. She was ready to go, confident that the storage unit was nothing more than a collection of useless stuff with no sentimental or practical value. Just as she was ready to turn around and go, an elderly guy emerged at the unit’s entryway. His appearance frightened her little, but he smiled warmly, putting her at ease. “You seem upset,” the old guy murmured. “What’s the matter?” Janet exhaled, pleased to have someone to express her emotions to. “This storage container belongs to my grandma, but it’s completely full of rubbish. “I don’t have time to deal with this,” she said, folding her arms in frustration. The elderly man moved forward, looking into the storage container with a serious gaze. “It looks like there’s quite a bit of stuff in here,” he replied slowly. “How about I take it from your hands? I’ll buy the entire storage unit from you, so you won’t have to worry about it again.” Janet’s eyes brightened at the proposal. She hadn’t planned to make any money from her trip, but the prospect of making some quick cash seemed enticing. She was eager to release this burden as soon as possible. “How much are you offering?” she said, unable to disguise her excitement. The elderly guy grinned pleasantly. “How about $1000? “That should do it.” Janet didn’t have to think twice. A thousand dollars was more than she had anticipated for what she regarded to be a pile of useless garbage. “Deal!” she cried, her irritation swiftly replaced by delight. They shook hands, and Janet gave back the key to the storage container, feeling relieved.

As she exited the storage facility, a smile flashed across her face. In her opinion, she had simply earned a quick profit, and the entire event was behind her. She couldn’t wait to get home and spend the money she’d earned without thinking about what she was leaving behind. Later that day, Janet arrived home, her arms full with shopping bags and a contented grin on her lips. She had spent the majority of her earnings on a shopping spree that included a fresh manicure, a fashionable new haircut, and a sleek new phone. Helen, who was busy cleaning the living room, looked up and observed her daughter’s new look as she entered through the front door. Helen’s brow pinched with anxiety as she saw Janet’s casual behavior. “Where did you get the money for all that?” Helen inquired, her tone tinted with skepticism. She was fully aware of her daughter’s spending tendencies, and this unexpected spree caused concerns. Janet shrugged casually, as if this were the most normal thing in the world. “I sold the storage unit,” she said, putting the bags to the floor. “I accepted a $1,000 offer from an elderly gentleman. There is no rationale for retaining all of that useless junk.” Helen’s eyes widened in surprise. “You sold your grandmother’s belongings?” “Did you even bother to see if there was anything valuable or meaningful in there?” she said, her tone becoming increasingly skeptical by the second. Janet rolled her eyes. “Mom, it was just a bunch of dusty boxes,” she dismissively stated. “There was nothing worth keeping.” Helen’s resentment, which had been building since Judith’s death, finally boiled out. “That was your grandmother’s legacy, Janet!” she cried, her voice quivering with wrath and sadness. “You didn’t even care enough to read it thoroughly. What if there was something valuable in there that belonged to our family? But Janet, engrossed in her own world, dismissed her mother’s fears as nothing more than an unpleasant hum. She sat down on the couch and grabbed the remote, turning on the television. Then she began flipping through the channels, successfully drowning out her mother’s comments. Just as she was going to choose a show, something on the news piqued her interest. Janet froze, her fingers still in control. On TV, she recognized the old man she had seen earlier that day at the storage facility. He was interviewing a reporter, and the headline at the bottom of the screen said, “Local Treasure Hunter Strikes Gold Again.” Janet’s heart raced as she listened to the man describe the expensive antiques packed in the storage unit he had acquired that morning. He enthused passionately about the highly rare collection of dishes, paintings, and furniture, which he believed to be worth millions. The man grinned into the camera, his words echoing in Janet’s ears: “Some people do not appreciate what they have. They don’t notice the prize sitting in front of them.” Janet felt as if the floor had fallen out from under her. The bags containing her previous purchases suddenly seemed like a heavy load, a reminder of her rash decision. Her cheeks drained of color as the realization of what she had done set in. Helen overheard the broadcast in the kitchen and came over to check what was causing her daughter’s abrupt change in temperament. When she saw the news, her demeanor became serious. “This will be a lesson for you, Janet,” Helen stated firmly, leaving no room for dispute. “You need to start appreciating the important things.” And speaking of that, she said, her tone softening slightly. “It is time for you to leave this house.” It’s time for you to start living alone. Janet gazed at her mother, stunned, the entire weight of her deeds bearing down on her as never before. Not only had she lost her wealth, but she had also disappointed the one person who had always supported her. For the first time in her life, she had to face the consequences of her carelessness.