The Legacy of Us

The estate was as grand as ever, bathed in the soft light of a late autumn afternoon. Rosa stood at the top of the grand staircase in the sprawling mansion, her gaze sweeping over the familiar marble floors, the towering columns, the glittering chandeliers that hung like delicate diamonds above the entryway. She could almost hear the echoes of her childhood-her laughter, her mother's cold voice calling her to dinner, the sound of heels clicking on the polished floor as her father paced the halls with business deals on his mind.

But now, all of it felt distant. Even the ornate paintings that lined the walls, each one more expensive than most people's yearly salary, no longer felt like home.

It had been three years since Rosa had been here, three years since she'd left the suffocating confines of the mansion to find herself in a world that felt more real, more hers. A world that didn't revolve around the constant expectations of her family and the business empire that her father had built from the ground up. She had carved out a life of her own-away from the parties, the press, and the unrelenting pressure to succeed.

But now, the letter had arrived.

She had been summoned back, not by choice but by necessity. Her father, Gregory Kincaid, the patriarch of the Kincaid Corporation, was gravely ill. It wasn't just the flu or a bad cold that kept him in bed. The doctors had been discreet, but the truth was clear: his time was running out. And with him, his legacy.

The thought of returning to this house, to the life she had left behind, filled her with a mix of dread and duty. But what unsettled her most was the responsibility she knew she would have to face.

The letter had been straightforward: *Rosa, it is time to come home. Your father needs you. There is much to discuss. The future of the family rests in your hands.*

She had dismissed it at first. After all, she had made it clear to her parents that she would not be part of the business. She had no interest in the corporate world, no desire to inherit the weight of the company her father had built. But now that it was clear her father's condition was worsening, the stakes were higher than ever.

Rosa sighed, walking down the staircase with slow, deliberate steps. She knew that her decision was inevitable. She would have to return to the family business, at least for a while, and take her place in the legacy her father had forged. The thought felt like a lead weight in her chest.

The front door opened just as she reached the bottom step. Her mother, Elena Kincaid, appeared in the doorway, her presence commanding as always. Tall and graceful, Elena was the epitome of poise and power. Her perfectly coiffed hair, her tailored suits, and the cold, calculating look in her eyes made her every bit the matriarch of the Kincaid family.

"Rosa," she said, her voice smooth but tinged with a note of something less than warmth. "I'm glad you could finally join us."

Rosa felt a pang of resentment. Even after all these years, her mother's eyes still held that same critical gaze, as if everything Rosa did was never quite enough. But she swallowed it down, knowing there was no point in fighting it. Not now.

"How is he?" Rosa asked quietly, her heart tight.

Her mother's face softened, just slightly, but only for a moment. "He's hanging on. Barely. The doctors have given him weeks, maybe less."

Rosa nodded, the weight of those words sinking in. Weeks. There was no escaping it now.

Elena stepped aside, motioning for Rosa to enter the sitting room. The same room where she had spent so many hours as a child, pretending to read, pretending to care, while her parents discussed business and world affairs. The room hadn't changed much, but it felt different now. Heavier.

"You've been gone for far too long, Rosa," her mother continued, her tone still cold. "The business needs you. Your father has already made arrangements, and you'll need to step in as soon as possible. It's time for you to assume your role."

Rosa bit back the sharp retort that rose in her throat. She wasn't some pawn to be moved around on a chessboard, but she knew there was no use in arguing now. Not with her mother, and not with her father's illness hanging over them both.

"I'm not sure I'm ready for this," Rosa said finally, her voice strained.

Elena's eyes narrowed slightly. "You don't have to be ready. It's your responsibility. The Kincaid name is built on this company, and you are the only one left who can keep it alive."

Rosa's heart skipped a beat at the words. She had always known that the business was her father's pride and joy, his legacy. But it had never been her dream. She had always imagined a life free from the corporate world-one where she could find her own purpose, away from the gilded cage that had been her upbringing.

"I can't just step in and take over," Rosa muttered, more to herself than to Elena. "I don't know anything about running a business. I'm not like Dad."

Her mother's eyes softened just a fraction. "No one expects you to know everything. Your father's trusted advisors will guide you. You just have to be the face of it all, keep the company running smoothly. That's what you were born to do."

Rosa felt a rush of anger, but she held it back. She didn't want this. She had spent years building her own life, far from the expectations of her family. But now, the burden was too heavy to ignore.

Just then, a voice interrupted their conversation.

"Rosa?"

She turned sharply to see Alex standing in the doorway. He was tall, dressed in an impeccably tailored suit, his dark hair neatly combed back. He had always been a fixture in her life, but in recent years, their paths had diverged. Alex had been part of the Kincaid world-an associate, someone who had worked alongside her father in the business. He was also a man of mystery, one who never fully revealed himself to anyone, not even to Rosa.

His gaze held a mixture of concern and something more-something that Rosa couldn't quite place. The last time they had seen each other, their relationship had been distant, even strained. But now, with her father's health declining, she could sense the tension between them.

"I'm sorry to interrupt," Alex said, his voice low. "I wanted to check in on you. How are you holding up?"

Rosa managed a tight smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "I'm fine, Alex. Just... a little overwhelmed."

He nodded, his expression softening. "I understand. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."

Rosa barely registered his words. Her mind was still spinning from the realization that her life, as she had known it, was about to change forever. She was going to have to step into a world she had avoided for years-a world of corporate warfare, power struggles, and the heavy burden of a family legacy that she wasn't sure she wanted.

As Alex left the room, Rosa's heart sank further. She couldn't escape it, no matter how hard she tried. The weight of the Kincaid name, of everything her father had built, was now hers to bear.

And it was a burden she wasn't sure she was ready to carry.