Chapter 1: The House That Already Had an Owner
Nobody moved.
Even the grandfather clock in the corner seemed louder than anyone's breathing.
My mother was the first to find her voice.
"What do you mean?" she demanded. "This house belongs to me."
Robert Miller calmly adjusted his glasses.
"I'm afraid it doesn't."
He pulled several documents from his briefcase and placed them neatly on the dining table, directly beside the untouched birthday cake.
"Three years ago, Mr. Brooks transferred ownership of this property into an irrevocable trust."
My sister, Chloe, laughed.
"That's impossible."
"It isn't."
Robert slid the deed across the table.
"The sole beneficiary is Miss Hannah Brooks."
Every pair of eyes landed on me.
I stared at my own name.
There it was.
Black ink.
Official seal.
Recorded by the county.
The room erupted.
"What?" Chloe shouted.
Mom grabbed the papers.
"No... no... Richard would never do this!"
"He did," Robert answered.
"And he left a signed letter explaining why."
My hands trembled as Robert unfolded a yellow envelope.
"The letter was only to be opened if anyone attempted to remove Hannah from the house before the reading of the will."
Silence.
Robert cleared his throat.
He began reading.
If you're hearing this, then my greatest fear has come true.
My mother's face turned white.
Hannah...
I know you'll probably blame yourself for not coming home more often.
Please don't.
I was the one who told you to chase your dreams.
You kept every promise you ever made to me.
Tears blurred my vision.
Chloe stayed close.
But closeness isn't the same as love.
Everyone looked at Chloe.
She shifted uncomfortably.
She visited when she needed money.
Hannah called every Sunday.
Robert continued.
I have kept records.
Every withdrawal.
Every loan.
Every lie.
My mother's hands began shaking.
Robert looked up.
"There is more."
He opened another folder.
"Your father hired a forensic accountant."
The room froze again.
"Over the last seven years, approximately $2.8 million disappeared from his personal accounts."
Chloe's confidence vanished.
"That's ridiculous."
Robert looked directly at her.
"It was transferred into companies registered under your name."
She stopped breathing.
Mom whispered,
"Chloe..."
"I can explain."
"No," Robert interrupted.
"The police can."
Two detectives stepped through the front door.
Apparently they'd been waiting outside the entire time.
One detective walked toward Chloe.
"Miss Brooks?"
She nodded weakly.
"We have a warrant."
The birthday party ended in handcuffs.
Outside, flashing police lights painted the neighborhood blue and red.
My mother sat on the front steps crying.
For the first time in my life...
I wasn't the one comforting her.
Because some wounds are too deep to heal in a single night.
Three days later...
The official reading of Dad's will began.
May you like
And it would reveal one final secret no one expected.
Especially me.
