A Mystery's Knowledge

3- A Legacy Attained

Em's P.O.V

I listened to the Lawyer as he exclaimed that I wasn't real. How rude of him! 

I decided to speak up, "Oh, I'd be the person you're looking for." Everyone turned towards me and I shrugged, "I'm assuming that letter you're holding is for me?" Everyone just stared and I was getting ticked.

Libby spoke up, "What?!" I looked her dead in the eye. This was gonna take awhile.

"Yes, dear "sister"." I air quoted, continuing, "I'm not actually your sister. I have paperwork stating my legal name. I'm not even remotely related to you. I just knew the old man would want me at his reading, so I ran to you. I already knew most of the contents of the letter, although I am surprised. Hawthorne did something unexpected. I just went where I was needed and showed up here like the rest of you." I explained, and turned to the Lawyers. I cleared my throat, "The reason that you weren't able to find me is because I erased any trace of me. I had people who were- sorry, are currently hunting me down to kill me. I knew where I needed to be, so I showed up at the right place." They were speechless as I was handed my letter. I motioned for them to continue as I stuffed the letter in my pocket.

I felt as though I was the brightest star to exist, due to everyone staring problem. "Since you are all here," Mr. Ortega continued, "we may begin. I, Tobias Tattersall Hawthorne, being of sound body and mind, decree that my worldly possessions, including all monetary and physical assets, be disposed of as follows. To Andrew and Lottie Laughlin, for years of loyal service, I bequeath a sum of one hundred thousand dollars apiece, with lifelong, rent-free tenancy granted in Wayback Cottage, located on the western border of my Texas estate." The couple I'd seen earlier leaned into each other. The Laughlins' presence wasn't even mandatory for the reading of the will, and they'd just been given one hundred thousand dollars. 

"To John Oren, head of my security detail, who has saved my life more times and in more ways than I can count, I leave the contents of my toolbox, held currently in the offices of McNamara, Ortega, and Jones, as well as a sum of three hundred thousand dollars." Tobias Hawthorne knew these people. They worked for him. They mattered to him. Avery didn't know him, she was practically nothing. 

"To my mother-in-law, Pearl O'Day, I leave an annuity of one hundred thousand dollars a year, plus a trust for medical expenses as set forth in the appendix. All jewelry belonging to my late wife, Alice O'Day Hawthorne, shall pass to her mother upon my death, to be distributed as she sees fit upon hers." Nan huffed. "Don't you go getting any ideas," she ordered the room. "I'm going to outlive you all." 

Mr. Ortega smiled, but then that smile faltered. "To..." He paused and tried again. "To my daughters, Zara Hawthorne-Calligaris and Skye Hawthorne,I leave the funds necessary to pay off all debts accrued as of the date and time of my death." Mr. Ortega paused again, his lips pushing themselves together. The other two lawyers stared straight ahead. "Additionally, I leave to Skye my compass, may she always know true north,and to Zara, I leave my wedding ring, may she love as wholly and steadfastly as I loved her mother."

Another pause, more painful than the last. "Go on." That came from Zara's husband. "To each of my daughters," Mr. Ortega read slowly, "beyond that already stated, I leave a one-time inheritance of fifty thousand dollars." Of course, Tobias Hawthorne left his daughters less than he left his security detail. 

"You did this." Zara turned toward Skye. She didn't raise her voice, but it was deadly. 

"Me?" Skye said, indignant. 

"Daddy was never the same after Toby died," Zara continued. "

Disappeared," Skye corrected. 

"God, listen to you!" Zara lost her hold on her tone.

"You got in his head,didn't you, Skye? Batted your eyelashes and convinced him to bypass us and leave everything to your—" 

"Sons." Skye's voice was crisp. "The word you're looking for is sons." 

"The word she's looking for is bastards." Nash Hawthorne had the thickest Texas accent of anyone in the room. "Not like we haven't heard it before." 

"If I'd had a son..." Zara's voice caught.

"But you didn't." Skye let that sink in. "Did you, Zara?" 

"Enough." Zara's husband stepped in. "We will sort this out."

 "I'm afraid there's nothing to be sorted." I claimed, entering the fray. "You will find the will is ironclad, with significant disincentives to any who might be tempted to challenge it."

"Now, if I may continue..." Mr. Ortega looked back down at the will. "To my grandsons, Nash Westbrook Hawthorne, Grayson Davenport Hawthorne, Jameson Winchester Hawthorne, and Alexander Blackwood Hawthorne, I leave..." 

"Everything," Zara muttered bitterly.

Mr. Ortega spoke over her. "Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars apiece,payable on their twenty-fifth birthdays, until such time to be managed by Alisa Ortega, trustee."

"What?" Alisa sounded shocked. "I mean... what?"

"The hell," Nash told her pleasantly. "The phrase you're looking for, darlin',is what the hell?" Tobias Hawthorne hadn't left everything to his grandsons. Given the scope of his fortune, he'd left them a pittance.

"What is going on here?" Grayson asked, each word deadly and precise. Tobias Hawthorne didn't leave everything to his grandsons. He didn't leave everything to his daughters. 

I laughed, "And so, the fun begins." Everyone looked at me like I was crazy. Which, I probably was.

"Please, everyone," Mr. Ortega held up a hand. 

"Allow me to finish." One by one, the other occupants of the room turned to stare at me. and Avery. 

"The remainder of my estate," Mr. Ortega read, "including all properties,monetary assets, and worldly possessions not otherwise specified, I leave to Avery Kylie Grambs and Emma Laycie Clair, only to be given to her if Emma Clair marries a Hawthorne by the age of 25.