I was an idiot, Maddie. You were my brother, I corrected. You were supposed to be on my side.
I know. He opened the portfolio and pulled out a check. This is what Haley offered me to testify that Dad wasn’t of sound mind when he made his final will.
Half a million dollars to betray my own sister. I stared at the check, then at my brother. But you didn’t cash it.
No, I took it straight to Dad. Isaiah’s voice cracked. You should have seen his face, Maddie.
Not angry, just disappointed. That’s when he told me about his plan. The grandfather clock in the hall chimed nine times, each dong echoing through the tense silence.
There’s more, Isaiah continued, pulling out a phone. I recorded everything. Every meeting, every offer, every threat.
Haley, she’s been planning this for months. Even before Dad got sick. He pressed play.
Haley’s voice filled the room. Once the old man kicks it, we’ll contest the will. With your testimony about his mental state and Holden’s long relationship with him, we’ll get everything.
That bitch Madeline won’t know what hit her. My hands clenched into fists. When was this? Two months ago.
But wait, there’s worse. He fast forwarded the recording. Holden’s voice now.
We’ll sell the house, liquidate the assets. Madeline can go back to her little apartment and her pathetic gardening business. She never deserved any of this anyway.
Turn it off, I whispered. Isaiah complied, then pulled out one final document. This is why I came tonight.
Haley didn’t just want the money, Maddie. She wanted revenge, on you. Revenge for what? For making Holden feel guilty.
For making him pay alimony. For- He paused. For making him look bad when you caught them together.
The memory hit me like a physical blow. Walking into my own bedroom, finding them there. Haley’s triumphant smile as my marriage crumbled.
She was his secretary for three years, Isaiah continued. She planned everything, worked her way into his life, into Dad’s social circle. This document proves she started embezzling from Dad’s company six months before you caught them.
I snatched the paper, scanning the bank transfers and account numbers. Dad knew about this? Found out right before his diagnosis. He was building a case against her, but then the cancer- Isaiah’s voice trailed off.
That’s when he started planning this instead. Said sometimes justice needs a different path. The codicil.
I murmured. Yeah, tomorrow’s going to be brutal, Maddie. They think they’ve got it all figured out.
Haley’s even hired a camera crew to document the historic moment when they take possession of the estate. Despite everything, I laughed. She hired cameras to record her own downfall? Dad would have appreciated the irony.
Isaiah smiled, a real one this time. Listen, I know I can’t fix the past three years with one night of revelations, but I want you to know I’m here now. Whatever happens tomorrow, I’ve got your back.
I stood up and walked to the window, looking out at Dad’s garden silvered by moonlight. Remember when we were kids and Dad caught us fighting over that toy car? The red Corvette? Isaiah joined me at the window. He made us wash every window in the house.
Said we needed to learn to see things clearly. I turned to face my brother. I see clearly now, Isaiah.
I see what Dad was trying to teach us, even at the end. He nodded, understanding in his eyes. That sometimes the biggest victory isn’t in winning.
It’s in letting your enemies defeat themselves. I finished. The grandfather clock chimed quarter past, reminding us that tomorrow was getting closer with each tick.
You should get some rest, Isaiah said, gathering his evidence. Tomorrow’s going to be one hell of a show. As I watched him leave, I touched the window pane, cool and solid under my fingers.
Dad had always loved these windows. Said they were the eyes of the house, watching over his family. Tomorrow they would witness justice, served exactly the way he had planned it.
The morning of the will reading dawned bright and clear. I was in Dad’s study again, this time watching Aliyah arrange papers on the massive oak desk while camera equipment was set up around the room. Haley’s camera crew is here, Isaiah announced, slipping through the door.
You should see her out there, practicing her gracious acceptance speech. Everything ready? I asked Aliyah. She padded her briefcase.
All set. The codicil is sealed in this envelope along with copies of all the evidence. Once they accept the initial terms… A commotion in the hallway cut her off.
Haley’s voice carried through the door, high and excited. This is where we’ll put the new chandelier, the old one is so dated. Places everyone, Aliyah muttered, straightening her suit jacket.
Let the show begin. Haley swept in first, wearing a black dress that probably cost more than most people’s monthly salary. Holden followed, looking uncomfortable in his tailored suit.
The camera crew trailed behind them, adjusting lights and checking angles. Madeline. Holden nodded stiffly.
It was the first time he’d spoken to me directly since the divorce. Let’s begin, Aliyah announced, taking her place behind dad’s desk. As Miles’s attorney, I’ll be reading his last will and testament, along with any additional documents he prepared before his passing.
Haley practically bounced in her seat. We’re ready. The initial reading went exactly as Aliyah had warned me.
Dad’s estate, including the house and company shares, was to be divided. Sixty percent to me, forty percent to Holden and Haley. I knew it! Haley squealed, grabbing Holden’s arm.
Miles loved us too much to leave us out. However, Aliyah continued, her voice cutting through Haley’s celebration. There is a codicil to the will, added three days before Miles’s death.
Haley’s smile faltered. A what? A modification, Holden explained, suddenly looking nervous. What kind of modification? Aliyah broke the seal on the envelope.
The acceptance of any inheritance under this will is contingent upon a full investigation into certain financial irregularities discovered in the months preceding Miles’s death. The room went silent. Even the cameras seemed to hold their breath.
What irregularities? Haley’s voice had lost its triumphant edge. Perhaps these will explain, Aliyah said, sliding the photos across the desk. Or this USB drive containing footage of attempted bribery.
Or these bank statements showing systematic embezzlement from Harrison Industries. Holden grabbed one of the photos, his face draining of color. Where did you get these? Dad had quite the collection of evidence.
Isaiah spoke up from his corner. Including recordings of you both planning to contest the will based on false testimony about his mental state. Haley stood up so fast her chair toppled backward.
Turn those cameras off, now. Oh no, I said, standing to face her. The cameras stay.
You wanted to document this historic moment, remember? You can’t do this, she hissed. Holden, tell them they can’t do this. But Holden was still staring at the photos.
Particularly one showing him entering a competitor’s office with confidential company documents. The codicil is quite clear, Aliyah continued. Professional as ever.
Any attempt to claim inheritance automatically triggers the release of all this evidence to the proper authorities. The choice is yours. Choice? Haley laughed hysterically.
What choice? You’ve trapped us. No, I corrected her. You trapped yourselves.
Every scheme, every plot, every attempt to steal what wasn’t yours. It all led to this moment. This is your fault.
She whirled on Isaiah. You were supposed to help us. Isaiah shrugged.
I did help, just not you. Holden, she pleaded. Do something.
But Holden was already standing, straightening his tie with shaking hands. It’s over, Haley. We’ve lost.
The hell it is. I won’t let that bitch win. That bitch is my daughter.