The Second Will Chapter 04
The lawyer opened the file.
The living room quieted down.
Even the sound of cracking salted peanuts stopped.
“The Last Will and Testament of Mr. William Harrison, drawn up on March 7, 2024.”
“I, William Harrison, being of sound mind, do hereby make this will as follows.”
My sister-in-law leaned forward.
“Item One: The property located at 127 Maple Street, Downtown District, shall go to the eldest son, Robert.”
Robert smiled.
The corners of his mouth twitched up, but he quickly suppressed it.
My sister-in-law grabbed his hand and gave it a hard squeeze.
“Item Two: The savings in the National Bank account shall go to the second daughter, Eleanor.”
Eleanor lowered her head, pressing a tissue to the corner of her eye.
But I saw her lips twitch.
She was calculating how much savings there were.
I was calculating too.
Our father’s pension wasn’t low, over seven thousand a month.
Plus his previous savings, there had to be at least four or five hundred thousand.
The atmosphere in the living room became subtle.
Robert and Eleanor both got their share.
Only I was left.
The gazes of several relatives swept over.
With curiosity.
And a bit of pity.
The lawyer continued reading.
“Item Three—”
He paused.
He glanced at me.
“Julian—Nothing.”
Three words.
Very short.
Very light.
Smashing against my heart.
Very heavy.
The living room was quiet for two seconds.
Then—
My sister-in-law laughed.
She couldn’t hold it in.
Covering her mouth, her shoulders shaking.
Robert coughed, the expression on his face a poorly concealed smugness.
Eleanor kept her head down, her tear-wiping motion pausing.
The corners of her mouth curled up.
Then came the relatives.
Whispering among themselves.
“Tsk tsk…”
“Makes sense…”
“William really is…”
My aunt glanced at me, hesitating to speak.
My uncle took a sip from his teacup, saying nothing.
I sat on the furthest chair.
My hands resting on my knees.
My nails digging into my flesh.
1,095 days.
365 days × 3 years.
Fourteen hours a day.
I quit my job.
I lost my girlfriend.
I wore out three wheelchairs.
I got a herniated disc in my lower back.
What I got—
Was the word “Nothing.”
The lawyer closed the folder.
“The above is the entirety of Mr. William Harrison’s will.”
He glanced at me again.
“Please confirm and sign, everyone.”
Robert had already picked up his pen.
“Where do I sign?”
