Chapter 4 - The Second Will
Nathaniel looked at me, then at his mother, his eyes finally landing on the navy-blue clutch in my hands. “What is that?” he asked. His voice was hollow, exhausted. Eleanor sat up, wincing as her bruised ribs protested. “Nathaniel, you need to sit down. There are things your father did... things I only discovered after he died.” “I asked what that is, Mother,” Nathaniel repeated, stepping closer. I held out the clutch. My bandaged hands shook. Nathaniel took it, opening the clasp. He pulled out the torn photograph. I watched his face as he stared at the image of his late father with his new bride. I expected him to scream, to throw something, to break down. Instead, he let out a harsh, bitter laugh. “You think I don't know who she is?” Nathaniel said softly. Eleanor froze. “What?” “I’ve known since the day I met her,” Nathaniel said, tossing the photograph onto the hospital bed. “I knew she was Arthur’s illegitimate daughter. I knew she grew up with nothing while I had everything. I knew she orchestrated our ‘accidental’ meeting at the charity gala last year.” My jaw dropped. I was completely out of my depth, standing in the middle of a twisted family dynasty. “Then why did you marry her?” Eleanor cried out, clutching her hospital gown. “She tried to kill me tonight! She tried to poison me this morning! Nathaniel, she wants the Callaway fortune!” “She can’t have it,” Nathaniel said coldly. “Because of the grandfather clause in the trust. The money only fully vests to me once I’m married. If I remained single, the board would have seized control of the company next week. I used her, Mother. Just like she thought she was using me.” It was a terrifying reversal. The grieving, betrayed husband was actually the one pulling the strings. “But the poison...” Eleanor stammered. “She wouldn't poison you,” Nathaniel said, shaking his head. “If you die before the wedding is finalized with the state, the estate goes into probate. Victoria is greedy, but she isn't stupid.” “I saw her push your mother,” I interrupted. I couldn't stay quiet anymore. “I was there, Mr. Callaway. She put both hands on her and shoved.” Nathaniel looked at me, his gaze calculating. “Are you sure it was Victoria?” “She was wearing a white wedding dress!” I shot back. “Rose,” Eleanor said suddenly, her voice trembling. “Open the back of the pocket watch. The gold one in the clutch.” I reached for the clutch, pulled out the heavy gold watch, and pressed the small latch on the back. It popped open. Inside wasn't a clock mechanism. It was a tightly folded piece of paper. I pulled it out and smoothed it over the bedside table. It was a copy of a marriage certificate. It was dated two years ago. The names on it were Victoria Hayes... and Vance. The head of security. Nathaniel stared at the paper, all the color draining from his face. And then, the lights in the hospital room flickered and completely went out.
