Living Under One Roof to Inherit My FIL’s Fortune—But One Secret Cost Me Everything

To Inherit My FIL’s Fortune, Our Entire Family Had to Live Under One Roof, but One Secret Cost Me My Share — Story of the Day

I believed that getting through family dinners had been the most difficult element of my late father-in-law’s will, which required us to live together for a year, until his conditions exposed the lies that kept our family together.

Leonard, my FIL, had always been a mysterious man. He maintained an aura of secrecy even at family get-togethers. It seemed like an era was coming to an end when he passed away. However, it seems he had one last surprise in store for us.

I felt sick to my stomach when the lawyer called.

“The announcement of your father-in-law’s will terms is now appropriate.”

The whole family showed up at the family estate the following week. It was a magnificent home tucked away in a large lawn with thick forest on either side. The tense atmosphere was broken by my two children’s giggling as they darted across the grass. I rearranged my scarf in an attempt to cover up the uneasiness that was eating at me.

Thomas whispered, “Calm down,” as his palm touched my.

My MIL, Evelyn, was sitting close to the bay window. She was tapping the chair arm lightly with her fingertips. It was as though she could see right through everyone.

The lawyer, Mr. Hayes, cleared his throat and started reading from Leonard’s will at precisely two o’clock.

“I leave the entire estate, including bank accounts and shares,” he said in a tone that permeated the room, “to my blood relatives—my wife, children, grandchildren, and my daughter-in-law, Olivia—under the condition that all of you reside together in this estate for one year.”

The room echoed with a murmur, but Mr. Hayes silenced it with a raised hand.

Every day at precisely six o’clock, you had to get together for family dinner and stay at the table until seven. The inheritance will be void if you miss a meal or are absent from the estate for longer than a day.

When I looked at Evelyn, she arched an eyebrow but remained silent. Thomas gave my hand a squeeze. The sound of the kids laughing outside sounded far away, muted.

A harsh voice cut through the hush as the lawyer completed reciting the terms of the will.

“Well, that’s intriguing. Furthermore, who is meant to police these regulations? Thomas’s older brother, Garrett, cocked an eyebrow and queried in a skeptical tone.

“Leonard anticipated this question,” the lawyer said, adjusting his glasses and responding evenly. He took steps to guarantee that his wishes would be properly carried out.

Just then, a young man entered the study through the creaking door. He had well-groomed hair and was no older than twenty-five. He held a black notepad to his chest and was dressed in a sharp suit that was almost too formal for a man of his age.

“This,” replied the attorney, gesturing to him, “is Mr. Morrison.” He was specifically chosen and employed by Leonard to supervise the will’s execution.

Morrison gave a courteous nod.

“I’ll be in charge of making sure the will’s requirements are fulfilled starting today. This arrangement was formalized years ago by Leonard and me. Everything is in writing. I’ll be keeping a careful eye on everything to ensure that the guidelines are being followed.

Garrett chuckled quietly.

“So, what, you’re the family babysitter now?”

Morrison’s expression remained composed. “If that’s how you want to think about it. However, I will notify you right away if any of the requirements are broken, and the inheritance will be revoked. That’s how easy it is.”

There was silence in the room. Everyone appeared uneasy about Morrison’s presence.

Thomas and I looked at each other, and he shook his head subtly, telling me to keep quiet. All of a sudden, Mr. Morrison was the most significant individual present.

There was no going back now that Leonard’s game was under way.

It was a gradual march through intolerable stillness during their first supper together. Rather than serving as a space for interaction, the big, heavy dining table felt like a wall between us. Knives clanked against china as forks scratched plates, but nobody dared to say much more than a courteous “please” for butter or salt.

The stillness broke like ice under pressure by the third dinner.

“How long are we going to pretend this is a normal family?” Evelyn’s icy tone cut through the silence.

Thomas raised his head from his plate and straightened. “Mother, maybe it’s best not to start…”

“And why not?” Evelyn shot back. “Am I not free to express my opinions? If the goal is ‘family togetherness,’ let’s at least be truthful about our family structure.”

Garrett pushed his chair back a little and laughed quietly. “Really? It’s impressive that you said it.

Evelyn’s piercing eyes found him.

“And, Garrett, what precisely are you suggesting? Does this have to do with your failure to meet anyone’s expectations?

A sour smirk curved Garrett’s lips.

Yes, let’s refer to it as such. Mother, we all know how much you enjoy keeping score.

I wished to stay invisible while I gazed at my plate. I gripped my hands firmly to stay motionless as they shook beneath the table. Then my daughter, Katie, who is fourteen, said.

“You know, if we’re being honest, why don’t we talk about Mom’s secret?”

I jerked my head up. “Katie, what are you talking about?”

“I am aware of the letters. They were not intended for Dad.

The hall’s ticking clock grew unbearably loud. My oldest child, Jack, slapped his fist down on the table, his face flushed with rage.

“Enough!” he cried out loud. “How dare you talk about Mom like that?”

Katie’s voice trailed off as she sank in her chair. “I didn’t mean…”

“You didn’t mean what?” Jack cut her off. “To make her feel inferior? To spread rumors for Grandma like a spy of some sort?”

I learned about the letters from Grandma. However, I never did see them.

At last, Thomas, who had been unusually quiet, sprang up, his expression a mask of restrained rage.

“Gossip damages people, Katie. Even worse, you allowed yourself to become accustomed to it. You ought to be embarrassed.

Katie clutched the edge of the table, her face crushed.

Thomas looked across at Evelyn. “And you, Mom. How were you able to? spreading false information and causing trouble.

Evelyn’s face remained fixed. “Lies? Thomas, are you implying that you are unaware of the truth?

“What transpired prior to our meeting is irrelevant to me. No one could ask for a better wife and mother than Olivia.

Evelyn drummed her fingernails on the table.

“This family doesn’t even include one of your kids. And none of you will inherit anything when I leave this house until we take a DNA test.”

The room was filled with gasps. Thomas froze, his face white, and my heart raced. Evelyn’s words threatened to destroy the tenuous calm we still enjoyed, hovering over us like a storm cloud.

Quiet confusion filled the house that night. Only Thomas and I had a true understanding of what was going on. Ever since Evelyn’s declaration, he had hardly talked. I discovered him clutching his chest while perched on the side of the bed.

“Thomas, are you okay?” I knelt next to him and asked.

“Olivia, I can’t handle this. It’s excessive. If the truth is revealed…

I steadied him by placing my hands over his. “You won’t need to. I’ll take care of it.”

“You don’t have to do this alone.”

“Yes, I do. for our household.”

I walked out of the room and toward Evelyn’s room. The corridor appeared to be longer than before.

The sound of voices stopped me cold as I got closer. I froze and strained to listen.

“You understand this is the only way to keep everything in the family?” Evelyn’s distinct voice broke the stillness.

With my heart pounding in my chest, I edged closer.

“If I reveal that Olivia’s eldest son, Jack, isn’t from Thomas, he’ll be excluded from the will,” she said. “That’s when you’ll get your rightful share.”

A second voice, unfamiliar, answered. “But how do you plan to do that?”

I almost let out a gasp.

Morrison? How did he get engaged, and what is he doing here?

Evelyn said, “I’ve already done it,” in a calm voice that seemed to be talking about the weather. “When I learned that you were my grandson, I thought about every possibility. Garrett, your father, has no idea. Your grandfather would never have welcomed another grandson, therefore he also had no suspicions. I thus persuaded him to choose you as the overseer and made sure the will stated that the inheritance was only to be given to blood kin.”

With my head spinning, I gripped the doorframe for support.

Grandson? Is Garrett’s son Morrison?

“But how did you know Jack isn’t Thomas’ son?” Morrison’s voice wavered as he asked.

“Thomas told me,” said Evelyn calmly. Olivia was already pregnant when he first met her. He urged me to keep the child away from his father, but he chose to raise it as his own.

I made myself stand up even though my knees felt weak. I had to stop her from doing this.

I pushed open the door. Evelyn was shocked, but she covered it up right away. Morrison spotted me and turned, his face going pale.

I said, “We need to talk,” in a voice that was shaking with rage.

Evelyn’s head cocked. “I assume you heard everything.”

“Yes. This is where it ends. This is the house where you will remain. If that means giving Morrison my portion of the inheritance, I will do so. However, no DNA tests will be conducted. Nobody else must be aware of it. Not Jack in particular. I refuse to allow my oldest son’s life to be ruined.

Evelyn studied me closely. “And Morrison?”

“He’ll take the cash and go away. No drama, no surprises.

She paused for a long moment before nodding. “All right. However, keep in mind that this was your condition. No errors.

Evelyn sat at the head of the table the following dinner, smiling placidly as she raised her glass.

She said, “I want to apologize for my behavior yesterday,” in a lighthearted tone. “I think I may have had a little too much cider and said things I shouldn’t have.”

Before everyone whispered courteous agreements, the room froze. The silence was broken by Katie’s voice.

“Are you staying at the house, Grandma?”

Evelyn turned to her, rubbing her hand and grinning broadly. “Yes, dear. I made an awful joke yesterday because I was feeling down. I sincerely apologize if it offended anyone.

Katie’s face brightened. “Alright, Grandma.”

Evelyn went on, “We’re staying, all of us,” her tone becoming softer. “Aren’t we one large, contented family? Leonard wants us to be together, that’s what.”

Picking up the conversation, Thomas began to relate a story. There was laughter. I looked at Jack, so naive, not knowing the truth. I hoped he wouldn’t.

Morrison pushed food around his plate while sitting quietly. He wasn’t thinking about his family. Evelyn had promised him that it was on the money.

There was a fleeting moment of triumph in Evelyn’s eyes as they locked with mine. She had prevailed.

We all continued to eat while acting. Thomas squeezed the hand beneath the table. It dawned on me then that upsetting the natural order of things wasn’t always the proper thing to do. No matter what secrets I had to hold to keep my family safe, they deserved love and serenity.

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