Chapter 4: What Michael Knew
Michael stood in the doorway, breathing heavily.
David stared at his younger brother.
“What does that mean?””
Michael looked at Jessica.
She shook her head.
“Don't.””
Michael ignored her.
He stepped into the room.
“I need to explain.””
David's voice was cold.
“You have thirty seconds.””
Michael looked at Jasmine.
“I never wanted this to happen.””
Jasmine's stomach tightened.
“Wanted what?””
Michael looked at the folders.
“The transfer.””
David crossed his arms.
“Why were you involved?””
Michael swallowed.
“Because Jessica came to me six months ago.””
Jessica whispered, “Michael.””
He looked at her.
“You told me David was planning to cut your son out completely.””
David frowned.
“I never said that.””
“I know that now.””
Michael rubbed his forehead.
“But at the time, she convinced me you had changed your will.””
David stared at Jessica.
“You told him I changed my will?””
Jessica said nothing.
Michael continued.
“She showed me a document.””
David's face hardened.
“What document?””
“A copy of what looked like your new estate plan.””
Jasmine looked at him.
“Did it say I was getting the property?””
Michael nodded.
“It said Jasmine was receiving almost everything.””
Jessica finally spoke.
“Because that was the problem.””
David turned to her.
“So you forged a document?””
“No.””
Michael looked uncomfortable.
“I don't think she created the first document.””
David stared at him.
“What?””
“She got it from someone else.””
Jasmine felt a chill.
“Who?””
Michael looked at Jessica.
She closed her eyes.
“Jessica.””
She whispered, “I don't know.””
“You brought it to me.””
“I thought it was real.””
David stepped closer.
“You thought someone gave you a fake copy of my will, and instead of asking me, you transferred my property?””
Jessica's voice trembled.
“I was scared.””
“Of what?””
“That my son would be left with nothing.””
David shook his head.
“You didn't trust me.””
“I didn't know what to believe.””
“You could have asked.””
“I did.””
“When?””
“Months ago.””
“I don't remember.””
“Because you dismissed me.””
David looked at her.
“I dismissed you because you wanted my daughter to sign over her inheritance.””
Jasmine's eyes widened.
“I never knew that.””
Jessica turned toward her.
“I wanted you to sign a temporary agreement.””
“What agreement?””
Jessica didn't answer.
Michael did.
“She wanted Jasmine to sign away her right to challenge the transfer.””
David closed his eyes for a moment.
Then opened them.
“Jessica.””
She looked down.
Jasmine stood.
“You wanted me to sign away my own rights?””
“It was temporary.””
“Why didn't you tell Dad?””
“You would have made everything worse.””
“No,” Jasmine said quietly.
“You were afraid he'd stop you.””
Jessica looked at her.
Silence answered the question.
David walked to the window.
Rain streaked the glass.
When he spoke again, his voice was quieter.
“I gave you a home.””
Jessica's eyes filled with tears.
“I loved you.””
“You don't love someone by taking from their child.””
“I was trying to protect my son.””
“You were willing to destroy my daughter's future.””
Jessica shook her head.
“I didn't know how far it would go.””
Michael interrupted.
“You're still not telling him everything.””
Jessica looked at him sharply.
“Enough.””
Michael shook his head.
“No.””
David turned.
“What else?””
Michael hesitated.
“There's another document.””
David's eyes narrowed.
“What document?””
“The one Jessica showed me.””
“The fake will?””
Michael nodded.
“But it wasn't completely fake.””
Jasmine felt confused.
“What does that mean?””
Michael reached into his coat.
He pulled out a folded envelope.
“I kept a copy.””
He placed it on the table.
David opened it.
His eyes moved across the page.
Then stopped.
Jasmine watched his face.
“What?””
David didn't answer.
He handed it to her.
Jasmine read it.
It was an estate document bearing her father's name.
Her inheritance was listed.
The family property was listed.
Everything appeared normal.
Except for one paragraph.
It stated that if Jasmine died before David, the property would pass to—
Jasmine stopped reading.
“Dad?””
David took the paper back.
His face had gone pale.
“Who is this?””
Michael looked at Jessica.
Jessica whispered:
“That's not my son.””
Everyone froze.
David looked up.
“Then whose name is on my will?””
Jessica didn't answer.
Michael did.
“The person who has been controlling this entire thing.””
A phone began ringing.
Everyone looked around.
It was Jessica's phone.
She picked it up.
The caller ID showed an unknown number.
She answered.
“Hello?””
A man's voice came through the speaker.
“Jessica, they know.””
Her face went white.
David grabbed the phone.
“Who is this?””
The caller hung up.
A second later, Jessica received a text.
She stared at the screen.
Then dropped the phone.
Jasmine picked it up.
May you like
There were only seven words:
*If David checks the old bank account, we're finished.*
