Beneath the Surface

chapater 59: the will

After forty days of Tristan's burial, Sarah was summoned to Tristan's lawyer's office. Tristan's parents and his sister were present, each waiting with quiet expectations. The atmosphere was heavy with unspoken tension, and Sarah could feel the weight of their presence as they sat across from her.

The lawyer cleared his throat, his voice steady as he continued reading Tristan's will. "To my parents, I return everything I inherited from you—property, stocks, and valuables. I hope you find solace in this decision. As for the remainder of my assets—cash, properties, and businesses—they will go to my wife, Sarah, and our son."

Tristan's mother shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Her lips tightened as if holding back a retort, while Tristan's father sat stoically, his expression unreadable.

Sarah's heart raced as the room seemed to close in around her. She turned toward Tristan's parents, trying to gauge their reaction, but their faces remained cold, distant.

Finally,Tritan's mother broke the silence. "This is... unexpected," she said, her voice dripping with disbelief. "I thought he would return everything to the family, including his businesses."

The lawyer looked up from the document, his expression calm. "These are Tristan's explicit wishes, ma'am. The businesses were built with his efforts, not part of the inheritance."

Sarah swallowed, feeling the tension rise. She had anticipated the possibility of conflict, but not this direct confrontation.

Tristan's sister, Rosemania, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke. "So, Sarah gets everything, just like that? After barely being with him for—what—three, four,... five years?" Her words were sharp, laced with resentment.

Sarah's hands clenched in her lap, but she kept her voice calm. "I didn't ask for any of this, Rosemania. These are Tristan's decisions. I was just as shocked as you are... But if for your peace, I can handover everything Tristan gave  to me, just retain what is for my son... his son..."

Tristan's mother's eyes flashed with anger. "Shocked? You were his wife! How could you not have known he would leave everything to you?"

Sarah looked down, struggling to maintain composure. "We never talked about his will. He made these decisions without my knowledge."

Tritsn father finally spoke, his voice firm but measured. "It's done. Arguing won't change anything now." He turned to Sarah, his eyes narrowing slightly. "But understand this, Sarah—those businesses, those properties—they carry our family name. We'll be watching closely."

Sarah nodded, holding his gaze, her heart heavy with the weight of what was to come. "I understand. I'll do everything I can to honor Tristan's memory and protect what he left behind for me and our son..."

The lawyer cleared his throat again, sensing the tension but pressing forward. "There's one more thing. Tristan left a personal letter for Sarah, to be read privately."

Sarah's eyes widened as the lawyer handed her a sealed envelope. The tension in the room became palpable again, but she quietly accepted the letter, her heart pounding as the others stared at her in silence.

Sarah sat in the quiet of the lawyer's office after everyone had left. Her fingers trembled as she opened the envelope, revealing a folded letter inside. She took a deep breath, then slowly unfolded the paper, recognizing Tristan's handwriting immediately. Tears pricked at her eyes as she began to read.

My Dearest Sarah,

If you're reading this, it means I'm no longer by your side, and for that, I'm truly sorry. I know you didn't ask for this life, for the responsibilities I've placed upon you, but I trust that you'll manage everything with the same strength and grace that you've always shown.