Megan heard her late husband’s will anticipating closure, not treachery. Megan realized the unthinkable as the sleek young lawyer read his final words: she had everything. To his mistress, not his wife. That was only the beginning.

Eli and Noah fought over a crumpled food wrapper in the backseat.

“Stop!” Two of you!” Their sister Lily sought to preserve the peace with a low, adult voice.

“You’re babyish.”

“Stop for five minutes, please. Please.”

The automobile quieted.

Single moms never had it easy. Megan managed meals, laundry, late-night fevers, and broken toys. Today, she’s free.

Tom, her husband, the kids’ dad, and her balancer, died two weeks ago.

As usual, the kids laughed, fought, and played. They didn’t grasp what transpired.

Yet Megan did.

She dropped them off at school. Noah advanced. Lily skipped, ponytail bouncing. Still, Eli lingered.

He exited the car slowly, bag drooping. Megan noticed the anguish in his eyes, the weight he was hiding.

“Hey,” she politely said.

“We’ll be fine.”

He remained silent. Just looked down

“We’ll survive. I assure you.” She said.

Nodding slowly and uncertainly, he turned toward the school doors.

Megan reentered the automobile. Silence sounded louder than turmoil.

Something dropped onto her lap.

The margins of the ancient Polaroid snapshot curled. She and Tom laughed on a beach.

Wind-blown hair, sun-kissed cheeks, arms wrapped around one other like nothing could break them.

It caught her breath.
The legal office was overly tidy and silent. A navy-suited woman greeted her. Tall and groomed, her makeup was flawless and her blonde hair was twisted.

“You must be Megan,” she said. “I’m Tom’s attorney, Jennifer Green.”

Megan blinked. Her name meant nothing. “You were his lawyer?” she said, stunned.

Jennifer nodded and gave her a clipboard. “Yes. Reading Tom’s last will.”

Let’s finish this. I have three kids and too much to do.”

“Of course,” Jennifer said.

This is Thomas Carter’s last will. First item: family home Second item: vehicle Bank accounts is item three.

Megan listened, her face blank. This was anticipated.

Then—

«And I leave all assets and property to Jennifer Green»
“Wait. You just said what?

Jennifer glanced up, serene. “Tom left me everything.”

“To you?” The Megan’s voice broke. “You’re the attorney. Nothing makes sense!”

“I only follow his instructions,” Jennifer remarked.

It was his choice.”

Megan sprang up quickly, her chair screeching behind her. “No. This is incorrect. Were you sleeping with him?

Jennifer remained calm. Like she was tired of faking, she inclined her head. “He loved me.”

Megan’s chest constricted.

Megan’s stomach plummeted when they entered the driveway. A dark-suited guy waited on the doorstep. He appeared like a bad news carrier with a folder.

“Mrs. Carter?”

“Yes?”

I represent the property owner. You must leave the house within seven days.”

Frozen, she watched him. “What? No. Error must exist. I have 3 kids!

“Sorry,” he said.

For illustration only: “It’s legal.” Ownership transferred.”

“Please, this is our home,” Megan pleaded. My kids—”

His only response was shrugging. “Nothing I can do.”

After the kids slept peacefully, she unlocked Tom’s closet in the bedroom.

Something fell from her pocket at her feet.

A sealed envelope.
With shaky hands, Megan broke the envelope seal.

Tom owned it. She could see those sloppy letters anywhere.

Megan,If you’re reading this, I’m gone.

I handed Jennifer a copy of the will, but I distrust her. This feels wrong.

Note: This is the authentic version. Give it to a skilled lawyer. One you trust.

For me, you were the finest thing ever. I regret causing you to feel differently.

I adore you. Always.—Tom

The envelope included another folded, official-looking document. A second will.

Opening it, she read attentively.

The home. The savings. Everything. Just her and the kids.

Her shoulders trembled. It wasn’t sadness this time.

It was rage.

Jennifer lied. She cheated.educated everyone.
Megan wailed, but her hands were steady. She prepared.

With true will, Jeniffer’s days were numbered. In a week, everything changed.

The next morning, she phoned Carol Reynolds, a local attorney known for her toughness and justice.

She listened intently as Megan told her everything, then nodded and said, “Let’s fix this.”

The court moved faster than Megan expected.

Court deprived Jennifer of her law license. Paid charges. Megan felt relieved, not thrilled, seeing her fall.

Megan kept her home. The car. The savings.
Megan sat on the front porch on a warm Sunday morning. The youngsters giggled and chased in the yard beneath the calm air.

Life wasn’t ideal. She missed Tom.

“Mom!” Lily rang. “These are for you!”

Megan accepted them with a smile. “They’re lovely, honey. Thank you.”