CHAPTER 5: The Will Is Read
CHAPTER 5: The Will Is Read
The conference room fell into a silence so complete that even the ticking of the antique wall clock sounded deafening.
Roxanne was the first to recover.
"This is ridiculous," she snapped, straightening her designer blazer. "Frank is your son. Whatever you've decided, I'm sure this is all just one big misunderstanding."
Grandma Josephine didn't even look at her.
Instead, she folded her hands neatly in her lap.
"There is no misunderstanding."
Richard Hale, her attorney, cleared his throat.
"Mrs. Halloway has instructed me to read a portion of her revised estate plan."
Jason leaned forward.
"So let's hear it."
Richard adjusted his glasses.
"To my son, Frank Halloway..."
Dad looked up hopefully.
"...I leave my wedding ring, your father's military medals, and every family photograph in my possession."
Frank frowned.
"That's...all?"
Richard nodded.
"Mrs. Halloway believes memories belong to those willing to preserve them."
Dad's shoulders slowly slumped.
He opened his mouth to argue but couldn't find the words.
Richard continued.
"To Helen..."
My younger stepsister looked startled.
"...I leave a college education trust worth two hundred thousand dollars."
Helen gasped.
"What?"
Grandma smiled warmly.
"You've always been kind to me."
Tears immediately filled Helen's eyes.
"I never expected anything."
"I know," Grandma replied softly.
"That's exactly why you deserve it."
Roxanne's smile disappeared.
"Two hundred thousand?"
She looked from Helen to Richard.
"And Jason?"
Richard calmly turned the page.
"To Jason..."
The room held its breath.
"...I leave the torn pieces of the check he destroyed."
Jason laughed nervously.
"Very funny."
Richard didn't smile.
"It is not intended as a joke."
Jason's expression froze.
Grandma finally spoke.
"I offered you trust."
"You chose ridicule."
"I offered you opportunity."
"You chose arrogance."
"You destroyed fifteen thousand dollars because you assumed I had nothing worth giving."
Jason's face turned bright red.
"I said I was sorry."
"No."
Grandma's voice remained calm.
"You said you wanted the money."
"Those are not the same thing."
Roxanne suddenly stood.
"This is manipulation!"
She pointed directly at me.
"You're giving everything to him because he kept one stupid check?"
Grandma slowly shook her head.
"No."
"I'm giving it to him because he was the only one who treated me like I still mattered before he knew what I was worth."
No one spoke.
Not even Roxanne.
Grandma continued.
"For years..."
"Ethan visited me after work."
"He fixed my porch."
"He shoveled my driveway."
"He brought groceries without being asked."
She turned toward me.
"And every birthday..."
"You brought me daisies."
I smiled faintly.
"They were your favorite."
"They still are."
Then Grandma looked back at the others.
"Do you know how much those flowers cost?"
No one answered.
"Six dollars."
She smiled sadly.
"They meant more to me than any expensive gift."
Frank lowered his head.
"I didn't know he did all that."
Grandma looked at her son with heartbreaking disappointment.
"That's because you never asked."
Richard opened the final binder.
"The remainder of the Halloway Family Trust..."
Every eye locked onto him.
"...shall transfer to Ethan Halloway upon Mrs. Josephine Halloway's passing."
The room exploded.
"WHAT?"
Jason slammed both hands onto the table.
"That's almost nineteen million dollars!"
Roxanne pointed accusingly.
"He manipulated you!"
"I did no such thing," I said quietly.
"You've been planning this!"
"I didn't even know she had money until yesterday."
"Liar!"
Jason lunged across the table.
Before he could reach me, two courthouse security officers stepped through the open doorway.
"Sir."
Jason ignored them.
"You stole my inheritance!"
One officer firmly caught his arm.
"That's enough."
"I'M FAMILY!"
"So is he," the officer replied.
Jason was escorted into the hallway, still shouting.
"You'll regret this!"
"You'll lose everything!"
"I'll fight this in court!"
The door closed behind him.
Silence returned.
Grandma closed her eyes for a moment.
May you like
Then whispered,
"I already lost my family."
