When the Last Peso Falls

Chapter 8

The Reading of the Will

The day after Lola Remedios's passing, the Manlapig ancestral home was steeped in an oppressive silence. The once lively and warm house now felt like a tomb, with every creak of the old floorboards echoing like a distant memory of a time when the family's laughter filled the air.

In the grand living room, a space that had once been the heart of the home, the family gathered in uneasy silence. The room, with its velvet-upholstered couches and ornate woodwork, now felt cold and unwelcoming, as if the walls themselves were aware of the tension brewing within. The family members exchanged anxious glances, each lost in their own thoughts, anticipating the reading of the will that would undoubtedly change their lives.

Atty. Reyes, the family's longtime lawyer, sat at the center of the room with a thick, yellowed envelope resting on the table before him. This envelope held the final will and testament of Lola Remedios, a document that would soon reveal the fate of the Manlapig family's considerable fortune.

Clearing his throat, Atty. Reyes drew the attention of the family members, who watched him with a mix of apprehension and curiosity. His expression was solemn as he adjusted his glasses and picked up the envelope.

"I want to begin by offering my deepest condolences to all of you," Atty. Reyes began, his voice steady but filled with an underlying sympathy. "Your mother—your grandmother—was an extraordinary woman. She cared deeply about her family, her legacy, and the values she believed in. It is my duty today to share with you her final wishes."

Patricia sat rigidly, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. She had spent a sleepless night, her mind racing with thoughts of what the will might reveal. Luis, seated beside her, wore a calculating expression, his mind already turning over the possibilities. Rosa, the peacemaker of the family, glanced nervously at her siblings, while Marco, the youngest, stared blankly at the floor, unsure of what to expect.

With deliberate care, Atty. Reyes opened the envelope and pulled out a stack of neatly typed papers. The room seemed to hold its breath as he began to read.

"I, Remedios C. Manlapig, being of sound mind and body, do hereby declare this to be my last will and testament..."

The lawyer's voice echoed through the room, the legal formalities offering little comfort to those gathered. As he read through the division of properties and assets, the tension in the room thickened. Patricia and Luis exchanged furtive glances as they listened to the allocation of various properties and shares in the family business. There were no surprises at first—Patricia and Luis would receive the family business and vacation homes, while Rosa and Marco would inherit smaller properties and trust funds. Everything seemed to be going as expected.

But as Atty. Reyes reached the final section of the will, his tone shifted, and a palpable sense of unease settled over the room.

"Lastly, it is my wish that the remainder of my estate, including a hidden fortune I have kept secret, be donated in full to a charitable trust established to provide educational opportunities for underprivileged children."

The words landed like a thunderclap. For a moment, there was stunned silence as the family processed what they had just heard. Then, the room erupted into chaos.

"What?!" Luis's voice boomed, his face turning red with disbelief. "She's giving away everything? To strangers?"

Rosa's eyes widened in shock. "But... but she never mentioned this. How could she just give it all away?"

Patricia's voice was shaky as she turned to Atty. Reyes. "There must be some mistake. How could she do this to us?"

Atty. Reyes remained calm, though his eyes reflected the sadness he felt for the family. "There is no mistake. These were her wishes. Your mother believed that money should serve a greater purpose, and she wanted to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate."

Marco, who had remained silent until now, spoke up, his voice filled with confusion. "But why didn't she tell us? Why keep this a secret?"

Atty. Reyes sighed, setting down the papers. "She wanted to protect you all. She knew that money can be a source of conflict, and she hoped that by making this decision, she would teach you all a lesson about the true value of wealth."

The explanation did little to soothe the anger and betrayal felt by the Manlapig family. Accusations flew as years of buried resentment and unspoken grievances were unleashed. Luis, his face contorted with rage, accused Patricia of conspiring with their mother to manipulate the will. Rosa, desperate to maintain peace, tried to calm the storm, but her efforts were in vain. Marco, feeling lost and abandoned, quietly slipped out of the room, unable to bear the sight of his family tearing itself apart.

In the midst of the turmoil, Atty. Reyes watched with a heavy heart. He had known that this day would be difficult, but he hadn't anticipated the depth of the wounds that would be revealed. The reading of the will, meant to bring closure, had instead opened a Pandora's box of secrets and lies, threatening to destroy the very fabric of the Manlapig family.

As the family members continued to argue and fight, the legacy of Lola Remedios, once a symbol of unity and strength, now hung in the balance. The true test of their love and loyalty to one another had only just begun.