Through the wall

XXIV

The following Monday, Off dropped Sammy off at school and picked up Gun, who had taken the day off to accompany him. Together, they headed to Lia's office.

Lia greeted them with a relaxed smile.

"Hello, you two. Please, come this way."

They both sat down across from her desk. Off took one of Gun's hands in his, visibly anxious about what Lia was going to say.

"Auntie, were you able to speak to New's lawyer? What does he want?"

Lia, who had yet to sit, crossed her arms and gave him a reproachful look.

"Darling, I'll repeat what I've already told you: no one is going to take Sammy away. I've spoken to the lawyer. New won't be taking any legal action or bothering you again. This is over before it's even started, as I said. Next time, could you trust my word a little more?"

"But, Auntie, he showed up at the house on Saturday, saying we had unfinished business and that I didn't stand a chance. It was clearly about Sammy. Of course, I was scared."

Lia sat down behind her desk and picked up a folder from the table. As she rifled through the papers, she remarked,

"If you'd come to sort out Nat's estate paperwork like I've been asking you to do for months, you'd have the same information I do. You could've had the pleasure of kicking that creep out of your house." She paused, pulled out a document, and examined it. "Here it is. Now, can we get started with Nat's will?"

Off glanced at Gun, confused. He didn't see what this had to do with New, but he knew his aunt was right. Deciding not to argue, he nodded.

"All right. Can Gun stay?"

Off was still clinging to Gun's hand, as if it were the only thing keeping him afloat in a stormy sea.

"Of course, darling." Lia cleared her throat and began to read.

"I, Natalie Ayutthaya, of sound mind and free will, hereby declare my intention to distribute my assets to take effect after my death, according to the following provisions: One, I name Off Jumpol as my sole heir, to receive the entirety of my estate, including all movable and immovable property, bank accounts, and any other assets belonging to me at the time of my passing."

Off and Gun stared at her, wide-eyed, struggling to process her words.

"Auntie, are you saying Nat left me all of her money?" Off asked in disbelief.

"Not just her money. She left you everything—her houses, her bank accounts, her personal belongings... even her last dress."

"But Sammy? I thought she would've left everything to Sammy..."

"Well, you always said Nat was too naive, and people took advantage of her because of it. It seems she learned more than you thought, and the hard way, too. Although I think it's better if she explains it to you herself. She also left you this letter. Come on, Gun, let's give him a moment alone to read it."

Gun, who was beginning to realise that everything was under control and why Nat had made this decision, decided to give Off some space. He followed Lia into the studio's kitchen.

Off sat in silence, the envelope resting on his lap. The past few months had been tough for him and Sammy. He'd had to learn how to fill the void left by her mother, to be everything his daughter needed. And he'd had to learn to live without his best friend, his greatest support. All the longing for Nat came rushing back to him, and he was once again overwhelmed by the pain of her loss.