“Are you out of your mind?” Matt growled.
I watched with numbness as Matt addressed Jessica. It was all really confusing! Even Dad hadn’t been fond of Jessica! I took out my phone, shook my hands, and made a fast call to Dad’s attorney.
His tone was soothing, collected, and comforting. “Hattie? I was about to give you a call.”
“… really believed I liked you?” Jessica shouted in the distance. “You served only as a tool to help me get out of my previous neighborhood. I no longer require your help now that I own a home.”
I said, “Please,” to the attorney. Inform me if she is lying. Dad could never have given up his house to Jessica.”
A pause, and then a hearty laugh.
“You’re accurate. She wasn’t given the house by your father. Everything was a ruse to force her to reveal her true nature.”
“A…test?” A wave of relief swept through me, and I burst out laughing, tears welling up in my eyes. It was the kind of chuckle that astonished even me, coming from somewhere deep.
Jessica’s confidence wavered as her expression contorted. “What are you laughing at?”
“Oh, Jessica,” I said, shaky as ever. “You really should have waited for the real will reading.”
“What?”
As I explained, I allowed the satisfaction to wash over me. “Your father never abandoned the house.” It was a charade designed to elicit your genuine nature.
