“Sarah wrote this before she died. She left it in her safe deposit box with instructions that it be opened if two things happened. First, if Jack became romantically involved with Valerie. Second, if Valerie moved into the house.”
Dad’s hand slipped from the chair.
Valerie whispered, “That’s impossible.”
Grandma looked at her.
“Your mistake was assuming Sarah didn’t know what kind of sister she had.”
My heartbeat pounded in my ears.
Grandma began to read.
“My dearest Chloe, if this letter is being opened, then I am sorry. It means I was right about things I prayed I was wrong about.”
My breath caught.
Grandma’s eyes flicked to me, soft for only a second, then returned to the paper.
“Jack, I know. I know about Valerie. I know about the money. I know about the lies you told me while I was sick, and I know about the lies you planned to tell Chloe after I was gone.”
Dad barked, “Stop.”
Grandma did not stop.
“I have changed my will. I have changed the trust. You will not control Chloe’s inheritance. You will not sell the house. You will not use my life insurance to reward yourself for betraying me.”
Valerie’s chair scraped backward.