The Truth Behind The Will

Clara stood straight up from her chair with a pale face.

Her father cleared his throat and leaned heavily against the polished oak table.

Arthur: David, calm down and sit back down so we can talk like adults.

David: Keep quiet, Arthur, because you enabled this cruelty for far too long.

Clara: How dare you speak to my father with such disrespect in our home!

David: This home was bought with the inheritance money your sister left behind!

Clara's mother dropped her crystal glass onto the cloth napkin in shock.

Eleanor: What are you talking about, David? That money belonged to Clara!

David: Clara lied to both of you from the very beginning of our marriage.

He reached into his inner jacket pocket and pulled out a folded document.

David: I visited the estate lawyer yesterday afternoon while Clara was out shopping.

Clara: Give me those papers right now, David!

David backed away from her, keeping Lily safe behind his shoulder.

David: Your sister Sarah left her entire fortune directly to little Lily!

Arthur: Is this true, Clara? Answer me this instant!

Clara: Sarah was sick and confused when she drafted that final will, father!

David: Sarah was completely sharp, and she knew how cruel you truly were!

Lily rested her small head quietly on David's warm shoulder.

Lily: Daddy, go away now?

David: In just a few minutes, sweetheart, after daddy finishes this conversation.

Clara: You have no proof that the document in your hand is valid!

David: The probate court validated Sarah's last will three full days ago!

Eleanor looked at her daughter with eyes wide with sudden realization.

Eleanor: Clara, did you agree to adopt Lily just to control her money?

Clara: Mother, I did what was necessary to protect our luxury lifestyle!

David: You treated this innocent child like trash while spending her trust fund money!

Clara: You benefited from that money too, David, so do not play innocent!

David: I never knew where the funds came from until yesterday morning!

He pointed a firm finger directly toward Clara's face.

David: I thought the money came from my monthly corporate salary and bonuses!

Clara: You were blind because you wanted to live in a mansion!

David: I lived here because I thought we were building a real loving family!

Arthur shook his head in deep disappointment as he looked at Clara.

Arthur: You brought shame upon our entire family name today, Clara.

Clara: Father, please understand that I did it all for us!

Arthur: You mistreated an orphaned baby for financial gain and control!

David: I am filing for a complete divorce first thing tomorrow morning.

Clara: You cannot leave me, David! You have nowhere else to go!

David: Sarah appointed me as the sole legal trustee of Lily's entire estate.

Clara gasped loudly as her eyes filled with sudden terror.

David: Which means I hold full authority over this entire property right now.

Clara: You are bluffing to scare me in front of my family!

David: Check your email inbox right now if you think I am bluffing.