Those questions piled up, building tension bit by bit like a storm quietly forming before it strikes. When my wife and I arrived the funeral was underway in a solemn dignified atmosphere. The old family home was decorated simply, white roses, a polished wooden coffin in the living room, rows of chairs for guests.
We entered calmly, neither joyful, why would we be, nor displaying grief too openly. I wore a black suit, Scarlet a dark dress, arm in arm. People turned to look whispering.
«David’s here, haven’t seen him in ages.»
I nodded greetings but didn’t stop to chat. My heart beat harder when I saw my mother standing by the coffin thinner than before eyes red. Gianna’s gaze lingered on me longer than usual. Surprised, perhaps she hadn’t expected me to come, mixed with scrutiny and the strangeness of years apart. She approached, voice trembling.
«Thank you for coming, and Scarlet too.»
She hugged me briefly, the familiar perfume scent brought memories rushing back.
«Are you feeling better mom?» I asked trying to keep my voice light as if speaking louder might shatter this fragile atmosphere.
She nodded slowly, eyes still tired, then turned to Scarlet beside me. She paused, searching for the right words.
«My daughter-in-law looks so beautiful, and how’s little Lucia?»
Scarlet smiled politely, keeping just enough distance, replying softly and calmly.
«She’s doing well, thank you.»
We left Lucia with my mother for the trip. No one said more. The air between us grew awkward, estranged, like people connected only by a faint tie called blood. My eyes instinctively scanned the room, searching for a familiar figure. My heart beat faster thinking of Diego. The suspense built gradually. Had he changed, or was he still the arrogant man who stood above everyone as before?
Soon after, Diego appeared with Valeria. They entered from the back door looking prosperous and polished, clearly living a different life since they left. Diego in an expensive suit, hair neatly styled, Valeria in an elegant black dress, jewelry sparkling. They had just returned from Las Vegas, I overheard from guests.
Around them were acquaintances offering condolences and handshakes, as if they were the center of the ceremony. Diego stood in the spotlight, receiving attention and sympathy, posture confident as if everything was still on track he believed in. He shook hands, patted shoulders, thanked people politely.
Valeria stood beside him, eyes artificially red clinging to his arm. I watched from afar, bitterness rising. Six years, and they were still the same, living comfortably while they had once trampled me. When they noticed me, Diego and Valeria turned. His gaze lingered on me, then slid to Scarlet, a mocking smile flashing. They approached slowly like actors on stage. My heart pounded, tension reached its peak. This was the confrontation after all these years.
Diego spoke first, voice laced with familiar contempt.
«Oh, David, my little brother’s here. Still doing well, huh? You look the same, ordinary as ever.» He smirked, eyes flicking to Scarlet. «And this must be your wife? A good match. Not as elegant as Valeria, but it suits you.»
«A life fixing pipes, right?» Valeria chimed in, voice shrill. «I heard you started a little company,» she said, lips curling into a half smile. «That’s commendable, but compared to Diego?» She trailed off, shaking her head lightly, as if the conclusion was obvious. «Still just child’s play.»
Their mocking words cut like knives, belittling me and my wife, implying I was still the inferior man from years ago and Scarlet merely a fitting choice. I felt blood rush to my head. Old memories flooded back, the day before the wedding, them on the sofa, the humiliation. I wanted to shout, to punch him in the face.
But I looked at Scarlet. She squeezed my hand tightly, eyes calm. We didn’t react, didn’t argue, didn’t explain. We just stood silently together like a solid wall. That composure made Diego and Valeria even more uncomfortable. They were waiting for a reaction, an outburst, a defense, but got none. Diego frowned.
«What, speechless? Or ashamed of your life?» Valeria sneered.
«Let it go, honey. We have more important things,» Diego said.
They turned away, but I saw the unease in their eyes. For the first time, I wasn’t the weak one. Throughout the funeral, I fulfilled the role of a son bidding farewell. Standing by the coffin, bowing in prayer, shaking hands when needed. Not affectionate, no long hug for mom, no talk with Diego. But not overly distant either. Enough to complete the final duty.
The atmosphere was stifling. Someone’s sobs echoed, the scent of white flowers overpowering. I thought of dad. He never praised me, but he taught me hard work. Memories returned, the time he taught me to fix the car, only to praise Diego more. It hurt, but I didn’t cry.
As soon as the ceremony ended, the priest’s final words light applause. I didn’t linger a minute. No staying for post-ceremony chats, no seeking late reconciliation. Mom looked at me, eyes sad.
«David, stay for dinner?»
I shook my head. «We have to go, mom. Lucia’s waiting at home.»
She nodded, didn’t insist. Diego and Valeria stood afar, whispering something but didn’t approach. We got in the car and left in silence, leaving behind an old family I no longer belonged to. On the way home, desert wind blew through the window. Scarlet hugged me.
«You did well.»
And in that moment I knew I was strong enough to move forward without looking back. The past was closed, my future was here, with my wife and child free. But life isn’t that simple.
On the way home, I tried to push everything aside. Lucia came rushing to the door, throwing her arms around me with a beaming smile.
«Daddy’s home. I drew a picture for mommy and daddy.»
Her scribbled drawing, a house with three people standing together, warmed my heart again. Scarlet cooked a simple dinner, pasta with homemade sauce, and we gathered around the table sharing stories about the day as if the funeral were just a distant dream. I told Lucia about desert birds avoiding all the dark parts.
That night, lying beside Scarlet, I whispered, «You know, I think I’ve really closed the door on them.»
She kissed my forehead. «You’re so strong, David. We have each other. That’s enough.»
I slept better than the nights before, dreaming of peaceful days ahead. But the next morning, reality knocked again. A few days after the funeral, while I was in the office reviewing next week’s maintenance schedule, my phone rang. An unfamiliar number, but the voice on the other end was polite, with the formal tone typical of lawyers.
«Hello, Mr. David Alvarez. This is from Mr. Hudson Alvarez’s law office. We have the will reading scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. You are invited to attend.»
I was silent for a few seconds, heart pounding. A will? Dad had never mentioned dividing assets with me. At first, I thought of refusing. Why go back? Why face Diego and Mom again? I didn’t need money from him, didn’t need anything from that family anymore.
But then another thought crept in. I had to go, not expecting to receive anything, but to witness one last time how my father would treat me. This was the final chance to slam the door on the past, to see clearly that he had never changed.
I agreed, voice dry. «I’ll make time to come.»
After hanging up, I slumped into my chair, mind reeling. I called Scarlett and told her about Dad’s will.
She replied, «Are you sure you want to go? I’ll come with you.»
I declined. «I can go alone. This is my business.»
But inside, tension mounted. What would the will say? The next afternoon, I drove to the law office in downtown Phoenix. A tall glass building, modern and cold in a way that made one feel emotions weren’t welcome. I parked, took a deep breath, trying to stay calm before entering.
The small conference room quickly enveloped me in a tense, unfamiliar atmosphere. Gianna and Diego were already there, sitting across from each other around the polished wooden table. Mom looked at me, eyes flashing brief surprise, but she didn’t stand or approach. She looked far more worn, hair noticeably grayer, still wearing the black dress that carried the scent of the funeral, as if she hadn’t yet stepped out of those grieving days.
Diego sat beside her, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit holding a steaming coffee cup. His face was calm, even confident, as if this meeting was just another formality in a series of things that had always been destined for him. When he saw me, he flashed a mocking smile, attitude openly derisive.
«Oh, little brother, you finally showed up. Thought you’d be busy fixing pipes.»
His words cut like a knife, treating my presence as superfluous, an unavoidable spectacle. I didn’t respond, just sat down across from them, heart racing. The room’s air was stifling, like a ticking time bomb. The lawyer, an elderly man with silver hair and an impassive face, entered and closed the door.
«Shall we begin,» he said, voice calm and emotionless, completely detached from the strained family ties in the room.
He opened the documents and began reading the will in strict legal order. His voice was steady, like reading a financial report without fluctuation. Gianna’s portion came first.
«Mrs. Gianna Alvarez inherits the family home in Phoenix along with $150,000 in cash for retirement and living expenses.»
Mom nodded, eyes downcast, saying nothing. I glanced at her, catching a fleeting look of unease, but she remained silent. The tension built, my heart pounding, waiting for Diego’s part, and then the lawyer continued.
«For Mr. Diego Alvarez, he inherits the remaining assets, including the used car dealership, two rental properties, and cash and investments valued at over $1,000,000, along with full authority to manage the family business.»
Diego couldn’t hide his satisfaction. Smugness was clear on his face. He smirked, shoulders shrugging slightly as if everything was unfolding exactly as he had always believed and expected. He whispered thanks to Dad, eyes gleaming. Valeria wasn’t there, but I imagined how triumphantly she’d smile if she knew. Then it was my turn. When David was mentioned, the room fell suddenly silent as if everyone held their breath. The lawyer read slowly.
«The inheritance for Mr. David Alvarez is an old watch belonging to his father, described as a sentimental keepsake with no monetary value.»
That was it. An old watch, the cheap one Dad wore for work, probably tucked away in some box. I sat frozen, anger flaring in my chest like fire. Not because of the material value, I didn’t need his money, but because even in death, Hudson had never valued or acknowledged my existence. He left everything to Diego and to me just a leftover trinket, like a final reminder that I had never mattered.
Gianna looked between her two sons with weary, uneasy eyes but stayed silent. She didn’t object, didn’t defend, as if it had all been decided long ago. She just sighed, hands clutching a tissue. Diego smiled wide, patting Mom’s shoulder.
«Dad was fair, wasn’t he, Mom? I’ll make good use of this money.»
I wanted to shout, to ask why, why had he never seen me? But I held back, standing up, voice ice cold.
«Thank you, attorney.»
I left the law office feeling empty, steps slowing in the long, cold hallway. Outside, rain began to fall, quiet and steady, as if to add another layer of silence to that afternoon. I understood that the last hope I’d held for a father-son relationship had closed here, not with anger but with an unchangeable truth.
On the drive home, tears fell without me noticing, blurring my vision. I pulled over, hands on the wheel, breathing deeply to regain calm. I whispered, voice low and hoarse.
«Why Dad? Why was it always like this, even in the end?»
No answer, only the soft patter of rain on the windshield and endless silence, like a final closure. I didn’t resent, didn’t return to demand or contest anything more. I simply accepted that from this moment, all emotional ties to my old family were truly over. When I got home, Scarlet hugged me tightly, as if understanding without needing to ask. A moment later, she said softly, voice full of concern.