CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 2
No one moved.
No one even breathed.
My mother gripped the edge of the dining table so tightly her knuckles turned white.
"What are you talking about?" she whispered.
Robert Miller calmly removed a thick envelope from his briefcase.
"Three years ago, Mr. Daniel Brooks updated his estate plan."
My sister frowned.
"That's impossible."
"It was done privately."
He placed several documents on the table.
"Your father instructed me not to reveal these papers until after his funeral."
Mom snatched the first page.
Her face twisted as she read.
"No..."
Her voice cracked.
"No, this can't be real."
Robert adjusted his glasses.
"According to the deed, this house belongs solely to Hannah Brooks."
Every eye turned toward me.
I blinked.
"What?"
"You are the legal owner."
Silence.
Then Chloe laughed.
A cold, mocking laugh.
"This is fake."
"It has already been recorded with the county."
Robert handed me another document.
"The transfer became effective immediately upon your father's passing."
Jason finally spoke.
"So... Hannah owns everything?"
Robert shook his head.
"No."
"The house belongs to Miss Brooks."
"The remaining assets are held in a family trust."
Mom looked up hopefully.
Robert continued.
"And neither Mrs. Brooks nor Miss Chloe Brooks has access to those funds."
The hope disappeared from her face.
"Who does?"
Robert looked directly at me.
"Only Hannah."
"But there's one condition."
The room froze again.
"Your father left you a letter."
"He instructed me to give it to you only after you learned the truth."
I slowly reached for the envelope.
My father's handwriting covered the front.
For Hannah.
If you're reading this...
May you like
It means I was right.
I couldn't trust anyone but you.
