Chapter 4: The Will My Father Left Behind
“Your father intended to leave everything to one daughter.””
My mother's words hung in the cold air.
I looked at her, waiting for her to explain.
“Which daughter?”” I asked.
Mom's eyes shifted toward Emily.
My sister immediately shook her head.
“Don't look at me. I don't know anything about this.””
Mom sighed as though we were exhausting her.
“Your father made his decision before he died. He wanted Emily to have the family assets.””
I stared at her.
“Why?””
“Because she was younger. She needed protection.””
“And I didn't?””
“You were independent, Sarah. You had a job. You could take care of yourself.””
I almost laughed.
That was the excuse she'd used my entire life.
Whenever Emily needed something, I was expected to sacrifice. Whenever I needed help, I was reminded that I was capable of handling things myself.
Richard stepped closer.
“Patricia, do you have a copy of the original trust agreement?””
Mom straightened her jacket.
“I have all the family documents.””
“Then perhaps you can explain why the trust's beneficiary records were changed.””
Her face stiffened.
“What?””
Richard showed her his phone.
“Our compliance team obtained a preliminary copy of the estate records. The original trust named both daughters as equal beneficiaries.””
I felt my heart pounding.
“Then what was Mom talking about?””
Richard scrolled down.
“Six months before Mr. Mitchell died, an amendment was filed removing Sarah as a beneficiary.””
Emily gasped.
Mom quickly interrupted.
“Your father was very sick. He knew what he was doing.””
I stared at her.
“Dad never told me.””
“He didn't have to tell you everything.””
“He told me everything.””
Mom's jaw tightened.
“Apparently not.””
Richard studied the document.
“There's something else. The amendment carries a signature from a witness who is no longer employed at the law firm listed on the paperwork.””
“That's normal,” Mom replied.
“Perhaps. But the law firm says it has no record of witnessing the amendment.””
Mom's face lost its color.
I looked at her.
“Did you forge Dad's signature?””
“Don't you dare accuse me of that!””
“Then explain why the lawyer has no record of it.””
Mom stepped toward me.
“You have no idea what your father was going through. He was confused. He was frightened. He wanted to make sure Emily would be taken care of.””
I remembered my father's final months.
I remembered sitting beside his hospital bed, holding his hand while he struggled to breathe.
He'd squeezed my fingers and whispered, “Take care of your sister, Sarah.””
I'd promised.
I'd kept that promise for years.
But now I wondered whether my mother had used those final words to manipulate me.
Daniel approached Richard.
“Dad, can we get everyone inside? This is becoming a public spectacle.””
Richard looked at him.
“Your future mother-in-law has just been linked to a questionable transfer involving millions of dollars. I don't think embarrassment is our biggest concern.””
Daniel glanced at Emily.
“Are you okay?””
Emily wiped her cheeks.
“I don't know what to think.””
Mom grabbed her handbag.
“We're leaving.””
Richard shook his head.
“I wouldn't recommend leaving before speaking with the attorneys.””
Mom laughed bitterly.
“You can't detain me.””
“No one is detaining you.””
“Then move.””
She pushed past him and started toward the parking area.
I watched her go.
For years, I'd chased after that woman, trying to earn a kind word.
Tonight, I didn't move.
Instead, I turned toward Richard.
“Can you get me the original will?””
“I'm already requesting it.””
“And the bank records?””
“We'll request those too.””
“Every transaction. Every beneficiary change. Everything.””
Richard nodded.
“I expected nothing less.””
Emily approached me slowly.
“Sarah?””
I looked at her.
She seemed smaller somehow.
“Did you really pay my tuition?””
I nodded.
“Every semester?””
“Not every semester. You got a scholarship for your final year.””
She stared at the ground.
“Mom told me Dad's insurance covered it.””
I felt a hollow ache in my chest.
“I know.””
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because I didn't want you worrying about money.””
Emily covered her face.
“I thought you were always judging me.””
I looked at her engagement ring.
“I never wanted to judge you, Emily. I wanted you to be okay.””
She started crying again.
Before I could respond, Richard's phone rang.
He answered.
“Yes?””
A long silence followed.
Then his expression changed.
“Are you certain?””
He listened again.
“Send the file immediately.””
He ended the call and looked at me.
“Sarah, the estate attorney has located your father's original will.””
I took a breath.
“And?””
Richard hesitated.
“Your father signed it two weeks before he died.””
My chest tightened.
“What does it say?””
Richard looked toward the hotel entrance, where my mother had disappeared.
“It names you as the sole trustee of the Mitchell Legacy Trust.””
I blinked.
“Me?””
“Yes. And according to the original document, no beneficiary changes could be made without your written consent.””
I felt the ground shift beneath me.
May you like
Then Richard added quietly:
“Which means the amendment removing your name may never have been legally valid.””
