01/12/2026
š¬ A Divorced Mom Was Mocked for Her Inherited Junk Gas StationāUntil the $200M Secret Was Unveiled.
They called it a joke. Her siblings rolled their eyes when their father left her a crumbling gas station instead of cash. āTake the $25k and walk away,ā they mocked. But the moment she found the brass key and unlocked the underground door, they realized she hadnāt inherited junk. Sheād inherited a $200 million secret that could destroy them.
The fluorescent lights of Melās Diner flickered overhead as Carmen Rodriguez balanced three plates of scrambled eggs and hash browns along her forearm. Dark circles shadowed her eyes, but she maintained a warm smile. Two more hours until her shift ended, and then she had to pick up the twins from school. Mia and Luna were 12 now, bright girls with their fatherās dark eyes and her own stubborn determination.
As she refilled coffee cups, her phone vibrated. The twinsā school. āMiss Rodriguez,ā Principal Gaines said, āIām calling about Luna. There was an incident.ā
Carmenās heart sank. āIs she all right?ā
āPhysically, yes. But there were some comments made about your living situation. Luna responded⦠rather forcefully.ā
This was the third incident this month. Carmen promised to come in, knowing it would cost her lost wages and her bossās goodwill. As she drove to the school, her brother Marcus called.
āCarmen, where are you? Dadās attorney called. The will reading is tomorrow at 2 p.m.ā His voice was sharp, impatient.
āI have a shift tomorrow,ā she said.
āCancel it. This is important. The whole family will be there.ā
By āthe whole family,ā Carmen knew he meant himself, their sister Victoria, and their respective spousesāthe successful branches of the Rodriguez family tree. Not her ex-husband, Derek, who had left her for his secretary three years ago.
āIāll be there,ā she said, pulling into the school parking lot. This was her reality now: racing between work and her daughtersā needs, enduring her siblingsā condescension, and grieving alone for the father who had been her only ally.
The attorneyās office was downtown, in a gleaming glass and steel building. Carmen clutched her fatherās photo album to her chest like a shield. Her family was already in the waiting area. Marcus had their fatherās height but none of his warmth. Victoria had their motherās delicate features, set in a perpetually judgmental expression.
āCarmen, you look⦠rested,ā Victoria said, her eyes cataloging Carmenās simple black dress.
Michael Reeves, her fatherās attorney and friend, greeted her warmly. āCarmen, itās good to see you.ā
In the conference room, Reeves began. āWeāre here today to discuss the last will and testament of Roberto Enrique Rodriguez. His will is straightforward.ā
āWeāre prepared to handle any outstanding debts,ā Marcus leaned forward.
āThat wonāt be necessary,ā Reeves said. āRobertoās affairs were in order.ā He shuffled the papers. āTo Marcus Rodriguez, Roberto leaves his collection of vintage automobile manuals and the sum of $50,000.ā
Marcus blinked. ā$50,000? Where would Dad get that kind of money?ā
āLife insurance,ā Reeves explained. āTo Victoria Rodriguez, he leaves his collection of vinyl records and the sum of $50,000.ā Read more in Comment or Most relevant -> All Comments šØļø