It was even revealed that this very house we lived in, the ownership of the land and the building, was entirely in Mrs. Vance’s name. Despite Mark always claiming to have remodeled it with his own effort. Upon hearing the list of assets, the expression on Mark’s face changed every second. Moving from astonishment to admiration and extreme regret, he clutched his head in frustration. He now realized he had been sleeping on a mountain of gold while treating the owner of that gold like trash. If only, if only he had been a little kinder to Mrs. Vance if he had truly cared for her. Perhaps now he would be enjoying all those luxuries.
Greed was evident in Mark’s eyes. He began to imagine the luxurious life that had slipped through his fingers. He looked at me with pleading eyes, hoping I could soften Mr. Harrison’s heart or change the contents of the will in his favor. But Mr. Harrison had not yet reached the most important part. He cleared his throat to refocus everyone’s attention. He read the crucial clause, the heart of the will. A special clause that Mrs. Vance had drafted herself with utmost care. Mr. Harrison read the sentence, “All my assets, stocks, real estate, and cash will be inherited in their entirety by my only daughter, Sarah. To my son-in-law, Mark, not a single cent will be allocated.
Unless, mister,” Harrison paused, making Mark’s heart pound with hope. There’s an unless there’s still hope, Mark thought. Mr. Harrison continued in an even colder tone. Unless it is proven that Mark has been a faithful husband who has respected and loved my daughter and me until the end of my days. But if it is proven that Mark has hurt my daughter’s heart, neglected me in my old age, or engaged in inappropriate behavior, this right of inheritance will be closed to him forever, and any financial access I might have provided him through the company will be immediately withdrawn. Mr. Harrison closed the document forcefully. A dry sound echoed.