CHAPTER 3 — THE CHRISTMAS THAT BROKE EVERYTHING
CHAPTER 3 — THE CHRISTMAS THAT BROKE EVERYTHING
Chelsea snatched the document from Poppy's hands.
"Enough!"
Her voice cracked.
Dad finally turned toward her.
"You promised."
Chelsea's eyes widened.
"You told me it was my money."
"It was always supposed to be mine."
Rebecca slowly shook her head.
"It never was."
She placed one final certified record onto the table.
"The trust has four beneficiaries."
Leah.
Chelsea.
Maisie.
And...
Poppy.
Every adult stopped moving.
Chelsea frowned.
"What?"
Rebecca continued.
"The trust was amended by your grandfather six months before he died."
"He specifically added both great-grandchildren."
Dad stumbled backward until he hit the china cabinet.
"No..."
"He couldn't have."
"He hated changing paperwork."
Rebecca looked directly at him.
"He did."
"And he included one handwritten letter."
She unfolded a yellowed envelope.
"I've never trusted money."
"I trust character."
"If either of my children ever teaches their children that love depends on blood, titles, or favorites..."
"...they deserve neither the money nor the family."
Signed.
William Carter.
My grandfather.
My father buried his face in both hands.
My mother finally cried.
Not delicate tears.
Ugly ones.
The kind people spend decades earning.
Then Maisie quietly walked toward Grandpa.
Every adult watched.
She reached into her pocket.
Pulled out the little Christmas sweater she'd knitted for him.
The one she'd carried all evening.
She placed it beside him.
"I made this for you."
"I don't think you want it anymore."
Then she walked away.
Nobody stopped her.
Dad looked at the tiny sweater.
His shoulders began shaking.
For the first time in my life...
...my father looked small.
But Christmas still wasn't finished.
Rebecca's phone rang.
She glanced at the screen.
Then looked directly at my father.
"The bank has frozen every trust account."
May you like
"And..."
"...someone from the district attorney's office would like to speak with you."
