When Megan arrived at the reading of her late husband’s will, she expected closure—not betrayal. But as the poised young lawyer read through his final wishes, Megan realized the unimaginable: everything was left not to her or her children—but to his attorney. His mistress. And that was just the beginning.
In the backseat, Eli and Noah bickered over a crumpled wrapper while Lily tried to keep the peace in her usual grown-up tone.
“Enough!” Megan finally said, exasperated. “Please, just five minutes of quiet.”
The car fell silent.
Life as a single mom of three was always exhausting, but today hit differently. Her husband, Tom—their father, her anchor—had died just two weeks ago. And while the kids still fought and laughed as if nothing had changed, Megan knew everything had.
She dropped them at school—Noah dashing off, Lily bouncing her ponytail as she skipped ahead. Only Eli lingered. His steps were slow, his eyes heavy.
Megan reached out gently. “We’re going to be okay.”
He gave a small nod, uncertain.
She sat back in the quiet car, a silence that rang louder than their earlier noise. Then something slipped from her coat pocket.
A worn Polaroid.
She and Tom at the beach, arms wrapped around each other, laughing in the sun. The memory squeezed her heart.
The lawyer’s office was stark and immaculate. A tall, blonde woman in a navy suit met her with a cool smile.
“You must be Megan. I’m Jennifer Green—Tom’s lawyer.”
Megan blinked. “His lawyer? I’ve never heard your name.”
Jennifer handed her a clipboard. “Yes. We’re here to review Tom’s will.”
“I have three kids at home and dinner to make,” Megan said bluntly. “Let’s get this over with.”
Jennifer nodded and began reading: the house, the car, the bank accounts… and then—
“And I leave all assets and property to Jennifer Green.”
Megan stared. “Excuse me, what?”
Jennifer didn’t flinch. “Tom left everything to me.”
“To you? That doesn’t make any sense. You’re his attorney!”
“I’m just following his instructions,” she said coolly.
Megan stood so fast her chair screeched. “You were sleeping with him, weren’t you?”
Jennifer’s expression finally cracked. She gave the smallest, satisfied smile. “He loved me.”
Back home, Megan’s horror deepened. A man in a dark suit met her at the front porch.
“Mrs. Carter?” he asked. “I represent the new owner. You have seven days to vacate.”
“There’s been a mistake,” Megan pleaded. “This is our home. My kids live here.”
“Ownership’s been transferred,” he replied, unmoved.
That night, with her kids finally asleep, Megan opened Tom’s closet—and something fell from the back.
A sealed envelope.
Her hands trembled as she opened it.
Tom’s handwriting.
“Megan,
If you’re reading this, I’m gone.
I gave Jennifer a copy of my will—but I don’t trust her.
This one is real. Take it to a lawyer you trust.
You were the best part of my life. I’m sorry for everything.
I love you. Always.
—Tom”
Inside was a second, official-looking will.
This one left everything—everything—to Megan and the children.
Her shock turned to fury. Jennifer had lied. Manipulated everyone. But not for long.
The next morning, Megan marched into the office of Carol Reynolds, a well-respected, sharp local attorney known for fighting hard and fair.
After hearing the story, Carol gave one firm nod.
“Let’s fix this.”
And she did.
Court proceedings moved quickly. Jennifer was disbarred and charged. Megan reclaimed her home, car, and every asset Tom had intended for his family.
Weeks later, on a sunny Sunday morning, Megan sat on her front porch. The kids laughed and ran across the yard.
She still missed Tom. Always would. But something had shifted.
“Mom!” Lily called, holding out a bundle of wildflowers. “These are for you!”
Megan smiled through tears. “They’re beautiful, sweetheart. Thank you.”
Her life wasn’t perfect. But it was theirs again. And no one would ever take that from them.
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