I hadn’t talked to my younger sister Kate in years. We used to be close once, but that bond broke a long time ago. So when she suddenly showed up at our 4th of July family celebration, the last thing I expected was for her to cause so much chaos.
It started as a happy gathering… and ended in a storm of secrets, lies, and a battle over inheritance that nearly tore our family apart.
For most families, holidays are for togetherness. My family was no different. Every single year, ever since I could remember, we gathered at my grandmother’s house to celebrate the 4th of July. Even after I got married and had my own home, this tradition never changed.
Mark—my husband—and I were driving there now, and we were both filled with excitement. This year was going to be even more special than usual. We had a surprise to share. A wonderful one.
When I was a little girl, Dad used to buy fireworks for the 4th of July. My sister Kate and I would sit in the backyard, eyes wide, watching him light them one by one. We’d cheer, laugh, and shout every time the sky exploded in color.
But that was a long time ago.
Things were different now. Dad still bought the fireworks. But Kate… well, she barely came around anymore. She said she had “more important things to do,” and she stopped showing up to holidays. And she and I hadn’t spoken in years.
Honestly, that was the saddest part about growing up—how the brightest childhood memories faded, and the people you thought would always be there just… disappeared.
But today, I was excited. Mark and I had been keeping a big secret for four months now. And we were finally ready to share it.
“Are you nervous?” Mark asked, glancing at me as he drove.
“A little. But I think everyone will be happy,” I said, smiling.
“Are you sure Kate won’t show up? She saw you at the hospital with the ultrasound pics,” he reminded me.
“She won’t come,” I said confidently. “She never does.”
“Good,” he said. “She’d lose it if she found out the inheritance from Grandma is going to our baby.”
“I honestly don’t care about the money,” I said, resting my hand on my belly. “The inheritance isn’t for me. It’s for our child.”
We parked in front of Grandma’s house. The smell of barbecue already filled the air. It made me smile instantly.
Inside, we found Mom and Grandma bustling in the kitchen.
“Is Dad making his famous steaks?” I asked, giving Mom a big hug.
“Oh, yes. And burgers too,” she laughed. “Sometimes I think he loves that grill more than me.”
“You’re lucky it’s just a hunk of metal,” I teased.
Grandma looked me up and down and smiled. “You look good. You’re glowing.”
“Is that a bad thing?” I joked.
“It’s very good,” she said, winking. “Looks like Mark’s treating you well.”
“I’m doing my best,” Mark said with a proud grin.
Just then, Dad came into the kitchen with a tray of juicy burgers. “Are you guys going to take forever in here? The grill’s done. Everything’s ready.”
“We’re ready too, don’t nag,” Grandma replied.
We all headed to the backyard. The table was full of delicious food—steaks, burgers, corn on the cob, salad, and Grandma’s famous peach pie. I didn’t know what to try first.
As we sat around chatting and eating, laughing about old family stories, Grandma suddenly looked at me again.
“Why are you only drinking water?” she asked, squinting.
Mark and I exchanged glances. This was it.
He took my hand.
“We have some news,” I began—but right then, a voice shouted from the road.
“Hey, family! Can someone let me in?!”
I froze. My heart dropped.
It was Kate.
She was peeking through the fence like she belonged there. But she didn’t. Not after what she did.
The last time I saw Kate was five years ago. She had stolen a large amount of money from me—money I’d saved for a down payment. After that, she ghosted me. No calls, no texts. Not a single message. Just… vanished.
Then, a few weeks ago, I spotted her at the hospital while I was getting my ultrasound. She looked right at me… and walked away like I was a stranger.
So what was she doing here now?
Mom opened the gate for her like nothing had happened. Kate walked in and made herself right at home.
“So, how’s everyone doing?” she said casually, sitting at the table.
“Why haven’t you shown up in all these years?” Grandma asked her, clearly not impressed.
“What difference does it make?” Kate shrugged. “The important thing is—I’m here now. And I’ve got some news. I’m pregnant.”
Everyone gasped.
“Oh my God!”
“Really?!”
They rushed to her. Hugging. Congratulating. Laughing.
Except me. And Mark. We just sat there, stunned.
Something was off. I knew Kate too well. She wasn’t the type to share anything with the family. Especially not joyful news.
“How far along are you?” I asked suspiciously.
“Five months already,” she said.
“Your belly looks really small for five months,” I said.
“It happens. Mom was the same when she was pregnant with me,” Kate replied quickly.
“That’s true,” Mom added.
Everyone kept chatting excitedly about her pregnancy. She mentioned a fiancé no one had met, said they were in love, and promised to bring him around soon.
Eventually, when the chaos settled a little, Mark and I tried again.
“So,” I said, smiling, “what I didn’t get to say earlier… Mark and I are expecting a baby too.”
The table exploded in cheers again.
“Oh my God, that’s wonderful!” Mom shouted.
“I’ll have two grandkids almost at the same time!” she squealed. Dad and Grandma hugged me tight.
But Kate… just sat there, frowning.
“What’s wrong?” I asked her.
“It’s just weird,” she said. “As soon as I tell you I’m pregnant, you turn out to be pregnant too?”
“Are you serious? You think I’m lying?” I asked.
“I don’t know. Maybe you just want Grandma’s inheritance,” Kate said with a smirk.
“Are you joking?! Grandma is literally sitting right here!” I snapped.
“I just don’t believe you,” Kate said.
“Should I take a test? Or show you the ultrasound pics?” I asked, digging through my bag.
But the pictures… were gone.
“I had them in here! Where are they?” I whispered.
“Maybe they’re in the car?” Mark said, getting up to check.
“I can show you mine,” Kate said, pulling out ultrasound photos from her purse.
Photos that looked too familiar.
“These are my pictures!” I screamed.
“I know you hate not being the center of attention, but accusing me of stealing your ultrasound photos? Seriously, Jane?” she said, rolling her eyes.
“But it’s true!” I shouted.
“Jane, that’s not nice,” Mom said.
“Do you believe her?” I asked, heart pounding.
“Why wouldn’t I?” Mom said calmly.
“Because it’s Kate! She lies!” I said.
Kate began crying—loud, dramatic sobs.
“Now she’s putting on a show,” I muttered.
“How can you say that about me? I’m your sister!” Kate cried.
Mom hugged her.
“Jane, apologize to Kate. She’s pregnant. She shouldn’t be stressed.”
“I’m pregnant too!” I yelled.
Dad spoke up. “Now I think Kate might be right. You just want attention.”
I stood there, stunned.
Mark came back. “There’s nothing in the car. You must’ve forgotten them at home.”
“No, I didn’t! Kate stole them!”
“Jane, take a walk and calm down,” Mom said coldly.
I stormed out. Mark followed.
“If I don’t walk away now, I’ll punch her,” I told him.
“Please, don’t stress. Think of the baby,” he said.
“They don’t believe me. They believe her, even though I know she’s faking it,” I said.
“Why do you think she’d do that?”
“She saw me at the hospital. She knew about the inheritance. That’s why.”
“Want me to come with you?”
“No. I need a moment.”
I didn’t get far before I felt tired. So I returned to the house. I walked into the bathroom… and there she was.
Kate.
She was holding a small bottle of pills.
“What are you taking?” I asked.
“Retinoids. Dermatologist prescribed them,” she said.
I stared at her. Retinoids are forbidden for pregnant women.
“Why are you lying about being pregnant?” I asked.
“I’m not,” she said quickly.
“You stole my ultrasound pics. You’re not pregnant. You just want Grandma’s money.”
“I’ll tell her I need it for the baby. She’ll give it to me.”
“What happens when 9 months go by? Are you going to steal a baby?”
“Maybe the baby just won’t be born,” she said with a shrug.
“You’re sick,” I whispered.
She walked out like nothing happened.
Back at the table, she and Mom were chatting about nursery colors.
Then Dad yelled, “It’s time for fireworks!”
As we got up, I smirked and said, “Hey Kate, remind me—what pills are you taking again?”
“Retinoids. What, is your memory that bad?” she snapped.
Mom and Grandma turned pale.
“What are you doing? You can’t take those!” Mom shouted.
“Why not?” Kate asked.
“They’re forbidden during pregnancy!” Grandma yelled.
“Where did you hear that?” Kate said, eyes wide.
“They’re dangerous! Didn’t your doctor say anything?” Mom cried.
“No one told me anything,” Kate mumbled.
“Because she’s not pregnant,” I said.
“When are you going to stop stealing the spotlight?!” Kate screamed.
“Let’s take a pregnancy test. I have one in the car,” I said.
“I’m not doing anything to prove something to you,” Kate snapped.
“Why not? Afraid of the truth?”
“I need a drink,” Kate muttered.
“A drink?!” Grandma gasped. “You’re pregnant!”
Mom stared at her. “Kate, were you lying?”
Kate hesitated. She knew she was caught.
Then she shouted, “Why should the whole inheritance go to Jane’s baby?!”
“You care more about money than your own family?” Grandma yelled. “I was going to split everything between both babies—but now? Forget it. You want my money while I’m still alive?!”
And just then, the fireworks exploded in the sky.
Kate stared at us, trembling.
“I hate this family!” she screamed—and stormed off into the night.
We watched her disappear beneath the fireworks, and for the first time in years… I felt free.
The truth was finally out.
