My grandma left $100,000 to my greedy cousin. I inherited only her old dog—until I discovered the secret it was hiding.

Honestly, I assumed everything would be split between Zack and me, and that would be that.

Zack, however, walked into that office like he was claiming a prize he had already spent in his head three times.He was wearing this black designer tracksuit with shiny stripes, a big watch that flashed every time he gestured, and sunglasses, even though we were indoors and it was cloudy.

The first thing he said to me was, “Try not to cry when you get Grandma’s spoon collection, okay?”

I rolled my eyes and focused on Bailey, who was half under my chair, shaking so hard the metal legs rattled.

I scratched his neck and whispered, “We are fine, buddy, I promise,” even though my stomach felt like a knot of wires.

Mr. Harper cleared his throat, settled his glasses, and started reading.

He went over some small bequests first, things for the church, for a neighbor, for my mom.

Then he said, “To my grandson, Zack, I leave one $100,000 in cash and bonds, my antique china set, my jewelry, and all proceeds from the sale of my home.”

Zack leaned back like a king on a throne, folded his arms, and gave me this smug little sideways smile.

“See?” he whispered. “Told you Grandma knew who the real favorite was.”

I swallowed around the lump in my throat and kept rubbing Bailey’s ear.

Then Mr. Harper turned a page, looked at me, and said, “To my granddaughter, Lily, I leave my beloved dog, Bailey.”

For a second, I thought I had misheard him.
Zack did not mishear anything; he burst into full, hiccupping laughter.

“Stop,” he managed, wiping at his eyes. “Stop, I can’t breathe. She left you the dog? That old mutt? That’s it?”

He shook his head at me. “Tough break, cuz. All that time playing nurse, and you get a senior citizen dog with bad joints.”

Bailey pressed closer to my legs like he understood every cruel word.I wrapped my arms around his neck and whispered into his fur, “It’s okay, boy, you’re all I need.”

And the thing is, in that moment, I meant it.

Grandma trusted me with the creature she loved most, the one living being that had been with her through almost every day of the last thirteen years.