The will
1315 Words
Could someone be bluffing? Probably that had to be it.
People sent strange messages all the time. It could be one of Drake's relatives antics.
A knock sounded at the door drifting from her thoughts.
"Mrs. Maxwell?"
Brenda immediately locked her phone.
"The driver is ready."
She exhaled slowly.
"Thank you. I'll be out in five minutes."
The footsteps retreated.
For a moment, her gaze lingered on the phone then she forced herself to look away.
Minutes later, Brenda adjusted her black dress and looked at her reflection.
The woman staring back looked exactly as she always did.
Gentle, soft-spoken and harmless. The perfect Mrs. Maxwell. But beneath it was someone different.
*****
Hilltop estate
The Maxwell family cemetery overlooked the entire city with it's vast land..
Dark clouds stretched across the sky and rain fell in a light drizzle.
Rows of black umbrellas filled the grounds.
Brenda arrived just as the ceremony began.
Her eyes immediately found Drake Maxwell. The future head of the Maxwell family and her soon to be ex-husband.
He stood tall and composed beside the coffin in a perfectly tailored black suit.
She quietly moved to stand beside him.
A priest recited prayers while family members listened in silence.
Brenda's gaze drifted to the large portrait resting near the coffin.
Chairman Lorgan Maxwell smiled warmly from the photograph.
The sight tightened something inside her chest. Of everyone in the Maxwell family, he had been the only one who treated her like she belonged.
Not because she was Drake's wife or because she carried the Maxwell name.
Simply because he wanted to and he was good man even with her wealthy he was. The guilt hit unexpectedly.
For five years she had accepted his kindness while hiding things from him.
A fraud was what she felt like.
"Thank you for coming."
Drake's low voice broke through her thoughts.
She glanced sideways.
His expression remained calm, but she noticed the faint redness around his eyes.
He was hurting but was simply too proud to show it.
Brenda gave a small nod.
"Of course."
She noticed several women, even married ones stealing glances at him and some glaring at her.. she was already used to it, but at a funeral that was too much.
The ceremony continued.
One by one, family members stepped forward to place flowers before the coffin.
When Brenda's turn arrived, whispers immediately followed.
"Look at her pretending."
"She's lucky Grandpa liked her."
"Nobody even knows where she came from."
"A woman like her should know her place."
“Gold digger”
Brenda heard every word as she kept walking.
Soon she would no longer be part of this family.
Their opinions didn't matter.
She stopped before the coffin and placed a white flower beside it.
Then she slowly knelt.
The reaction was immediate.
Several gasps sounded behind her.
Brenda ignored them.
Her fingers lightly touched the polished wood.
Thank you, Grandpa, for everything and I'm sorry.
The words remained trapped inside her heart.
When she stood, she didn't look back.
After grandpa was finally laid to rest, the Maxwell family returned to the main mansion.
Everyone knew what came next.
The reading of the will.
The atmosphere inside the grand living room was tense.
Family members sat stiffly in their seats.
Some appeared nervous, others looked impatient.
Brenda quietly occupied a seat near the corner.
The inheritance had nothing to do with her.
By tomorrow, she will be gone.
Across the room sat Drake Brenda lowered her eyes.
Hours from now he would be free.
Free to marry whoever he wanted.
The thought shouldn't bother her.
Yet it did.
The lawyer- Mr Edis arrived shortly afterward.
He was a middle aged man, he came with a big leather briefcase.
The room immediately fell silent.
He cleared his throat.
"We will now proceed with the reading of Chairman Lorgan Maxwell's final will."
Everyone straightened.
Mr Edris opened several documents.
"Before we start, I want you all to know that chairman Lorgan Maxwell wrote this will perfectly and his goal was to make sure no one fight over anything."
Everyone nodded in anticipation
"The Maxwell Group shall now fully be under the control of Mr. Drake Maxwell being the heir."
No one looked surprised. That outcome had been expected.
The lawyer continued. The properties, trust funds, investments were shared among the family members..
The reading lasted almost thirty minutes.
Then suddenly he stopped.
His eyes shifted toward Brenda.
A strange feeling settled in her stomach.
"Mrs. Brenda Maxwell."
The entire room turned toward her.
Brenda blinked.
"Me?"
"Yes."
“5% of the company's shares were left for you.“
Gasps filled the room.. Brend's eyes widened but that wasn't all.
The lawyer reached inside his briefcase and withdrew a sealed envelope.
"This is specifically for you."
The room instantly erupted.
"What?"
"Grandpa left something to her?"
"Why?"
Drake's younger sister rose from her seat.
"Did she manipulate him before he died?"
The accusation earned several nods.
Brenda ignored them.
It was nothing new, it felt like the day Drake introduced her to the family.
The lawyer walked toward her.
"These were Chairman Maxwell's personal instructions."
Brenda accepted the envelope.
Her breath hitched
Her name was written across the front.
In Grandpa's handwriting.
For some reason, that hurt more than she expected.
Across the room, Drake was watching her.
"What does it say?" someone demanded.
The lawyer calmly adjusted his glasses.
"I don't know."
The room fell silent.
"It is a private letter."
"A private letter?"
"What nonsense is this?"
"She's not even a real Maxwell."
“Enough everyone.“ Drake thundered.
“You don't get to disrespect her in my presence, she is legally my wife, so keep whatever opinion you have to yourself.“
Everyone kept shut after that..
Brenda's eyes met his and she quickly averted it.
The lawyer remained unmoved.
"Chairman Maxwell specifically requested that Mrs. Maxwell read it alone."
The complaints continued.
Brenda barely heard them.
Something felt wrong.
Very wrong.
Eventually, the meeting ended.
Guests began leaving.
Family members followed one by one until only Brenda and Drake remained.
He approached her slowly.
His gaze settled on the envelope.
"What do you think it says?" Brenda asked
"I honestly don't know but you'll find out when you read it"
For several seconds, he studied her face.
Finally, Drake stepped back.
"You should read it alone."
Brenda nodded.
"Yeah."
His gaze lingered for another moment.
Then he turned and walked away leaving her.
Brenda stared at the envelope again.
The house had become unusually quiet.
Slowly, she made her way upstairs.
Grandpa's favorite study remained untouched since his death.
The familiar scent of old books filled the room.
Brenda closed the door behind her.
Her heart was beating faster now.
She didn't know why.
Maybe because this was the last thing Grandpa had left behind.
Taking a deep breath, she sat down.
Then carefully opened the envelope.
Inside was a single folded sheet of paper.
Nothing else, no documents or inheritance, just one letter.
Brenda unfolded it.
The moment she saw the handwriting, her eyes stung.
It was definitely Grandpa's, her fingers trembled slightly.
A strange feeling crawled up her spine.
She continued reading.
The further her eyes moved down the page, the paler her face became.
"No..."
My dear child,
If you are reading this, then I am no longer here to watch over either of you.
Brenda frowned.
Either of you? She continued reading.
For five years, You came into this family with a purpose. Do not be alarmed.
I have known that from the beginning.
You are not as difficult to read as you believe.
You believed the truth was hidden within these walls.
Perhaps it is, perhaps it isn't.
But you have been looking in the wrong direction.
Brenda froze. Her breathing stopped.
How?
How did he know?
Nobody was supposed to know.
- Writer
