“The three thousand dollars?”
My father finally answered, “It was family money.”
“No,” I said.
“It was mine.”
Richard laid the bank records on the table.
“Three thousand two hundred fourteen dollars and sixty-three cents.”
My father stared at the statement.
“That money was used for legal fees.”
“Your legal fees,” I said.
My stepmother looked at him.
“You told me it was for Ethan’s college applications.”
My stepbrother’s face turned white.
“You lied to me too?”
My father slammed his palm down on the table.
“Enough!”
The entire room fell silent.
He pointed toward me.
“You think because some dead man left you a company, you’re suddenly better than us?”
I looked at him.
“No.”
I paused.
“I think I’m exactly the same person I was thirty days ago.”
His anger faltered.
“But now,” I continued, “I know the truth.”
Richard reached for the remote.
“There’s more.”
The lights dimmed.
A screen lowered behind the board.
My grandfather appeared.
Alive.
Sitting inside the conference room.
My father looked as though he’d been punched.
“No.”
The recording started.
My grandfather’s voice filled the room.
“When I die, Nathan will receive everything.”
Then came my father’s voice.
“Then I’ll make sure he never knows.”
The recording continued.
“You can’t hide him forever, Daniel.”
“I can keep him away from you.”
“You’re willing to destroy your own son for money?”
“He’s not my son anymore.”
My father’s face went completely white.
The video ended.
Nobody said a word.
