The Will That Changed Everything
When my father-in-law’s will forced us to live together for a year, I thought awkward family dinners would be the hardest part. I had no idea it would unravel the web of lies holding us together.
A Shocking Condition
Leonard had always been a man of secrets. Even in death, he wasn’t done playing games.
At the reading of his will, the lawyer announced:
“The estate, bank accounts, and shares will go to my blood relatives—including my daughter-in-law, Olivia—under one condition:
You must all live in this house for a year and gather for dinner daily at six. Missing a dinner or leaving for more than a day will annul the inheritance.”
Tension filled the room.
“And who’s supposed to enforce this?” Garrett, my husband’s older brother, scoffed.
The lawyer motioned to the door. It creaked open, revealing a young man in a sharp suit.
“This is Mr. Morrison. Leonard hired him to ensure every condition is met.”
Morrison nodded. “I’ll be monitoring everything closely.”
Leonard’s game had begun.
A Family at War
The first few nights were painfully silent. Then, on the third night, Evelyn, my mother-in-law, shattered it.
“How long are we going to pretend we’re a normal family?”
Thomas, my husband, tensed. “Mother, let’s not.”
Garrett smirked. “Honest? That’s rich coming from you.”
Evelyn’s eyes darkened. “And what exactly are you implying?”
Before Garrett could answer, my 14-year-old daughter, Katie, spoke.
“Why don’t we talk about Mom’s secret?”
My blood ran cold.
“Katie, what are you talking about?” I asked carefully.
“I know about the letters. They weren’t for Dad.”
A heavy silence fell over the room. My eldest, Jack, slammed his hand on the table.
“Enough! How dare you talk about Mom like that?”
A Truth I Never Wanted to Face
Later that night, I found Thomas sitting at the edge of our bed, his hands shaking.
“If the truth comes out…” he whispered.
I took his hands. “You won’t have to face this. I will.”
Leaving him behind, I walked straight to Evelyn’s quarters.
Just as I reached the door, I heard voices inside.
“If I reveal that Jack isn’t Thomas’s, he’ll be excluded from the will.”
My stomach twisted.
A second voice—Morrison’s—responded hesitantly. “How do you know?”
Evelyn’s tone was calculated. “Thomas told me. He met Olivia when she was already pregnant. He decided to raise Jack as his own. But Leonard never knew.”
My breath caught.
Morrison is Garrett’s son.
I stepped forward, shoving the door open. Evelyn turned, unfazed. Morrison looked pale.
“We need to talk,” I said.
The Deal That Buried the Truth
Evelyn studied me, waiting.
“I will give Morrison my share of the inheritance if that’s what it takes. But no DNA tests. Jack is my son. No one else needs to know.”
She considered it. Then she nodded.
“Fine. But remember, this was your decision.”
The Final Move
At dinner the next evening, Evelyn raised her glass, smiling sweetly.
“I want to apologize for yesterday. I think I had a little too much cider and said things I shouldn’t have.”
Silence.
Katie hesitated. “So… you’re staying?”
Evelyn patted her hand. “Of course, dear. Yesterday was just… a misunderstanding.”
I exhaled. Thomas squeezed my hand under the table.
The truth would stay buried.
Jack would never know.
And Evelyn?
She had won.