even after the divorce you're still my father I'll take all the inheritance I can get isn't the insurance money and property division enough The Voice cut through the solemn Silence of the funeral Hall like a jagged knife the congregation previously still turned to look at the source of the voice Melissa my husband's ex-wife and their son Thomas they had shown up late not dressed for the occasion their presence more of an interruption than anything else m 's sharp voice echoed in the room while Thomas stood by her side shifting uncomfortably it was a moment that
had no place in the sacred Gathering Peter's funeral yet here we were facing the very thing Peter had spent years avoiding an ugly dispute over money my name is Evelyn a 36-year-old office worker my husband Peter was a 51-year-old employee who had been previously divorced his parents had already passed passed away and he had a 24-year-old son Thomas from his earlier marriage a fact I had accepted when marrying him Peter was a serious and compassionate person highly trusted by those around him as for having children we left it in God's hands and chose not to
engage in any fertility treatments we both worked hard and cherished our time together in the evenings enjoying our daily life however one concern persisted Thomas often claimed that his inability to hold a job was Peter's fault and would frequently ask for money while I felt giving him money might enable his instability and dependence on Peter I chose not to interfere Peter busy with work felt guilty about not spending enough time with his son isn't this a common scenario for many fathers my own father often came home late or had to change plans due to work
as a financially comfortable couple I thought it was fine for Peter to give his son money from his earnings respecting his wishes and thus I did not intervene then one day disaster struck Peter was severely injured in an accident at work he was hit by a reckless driver while walking at a green light leaving him unconscious I left work early and rushed to the hospital after the surgery the doctor gave me a detailed explanation they did everything they could but Peter's condition remained unstable and there was a high chance he wouldn't last long bring anyone
he might want to see and do it soon they said confronting me with a shocking reality stunned and unsure of what to do I knew I had to act quickly I called my parents who came to the hospital right away and comforted me next I contacted Peter's friends some of whom I knew well the news of his condition spread quickly among his friends and acquaintances both personal and and professional I took a break from work and spent every day by Peter's side in his hospital room according to the hospital's new rules even family members weren't
allowed to stay overnight filled with anxiety I sometimes slept in my car in the parking lot day and night visitors came to see Peter his wonderful personality was evident in the continuous stream of people who came to encourage and support both him and me one of these visitors was someone close to both of us both professionally and personally this friend familiar to me visited daily concerned about my health and cheering Peter up this friend knew about Peter's ex-wife Melissa and their son Thomas though divorced Peter had never completely cut ties with Melissa due to their
son however I didn't have Melissa's phone number when I asked the friend he knew it and gave it to me I called her but Melissa sounded irritated I don't care about my ex-husband anymore she said sharply still I asked if Thomas could visit but she replied I'll ask but I don't think he'll come and hung up I understood that there were unresolved issues between Peter and his son even with Peter's life in danger accepting this I decided not to push for their visit Peter's condition did not improve and there were no signs of him regaining
Consciousness the doctor warned that his situation was was deteriorating I helped Thomas might change his mind and come but he never showed up in the end Peter passed away with me by his side moving on to the next World I had no time to immerse myself in grief even as Peter was being cared for by the funeral home I had to proceed with funeral arrangements with help from my parents and Peter's friends the preparations steadily progressed colleagues bosses and juniors from his work offered their help and the wake wi is planned the next day the
funeral was solemnly conducted with more people attending than I had anticipated they offered kind words and encouragement which warmed my heart the funeral reminded me of Peter's wonderful character in kindness even in this sad event there were moments that touched me I thanked Peter's close friends and colleagues for their help and expressed my gratitude to everyone who assisted that's when I was informed that someone wanted to see me a man and a woman stood in the distance dressed inappropriately for a funeral I recognized the man's face it must be Thomas Peter's son and the woman
next to him was likely his ex-wife Melissa they appeared in casual attire standing in an area where people were coming and going after the service had ended the funeral home staff were preparing to move to the korium but they seemed indifferent I felt irritation and tension radiating from them who might you be I asked pretending not to recognize them what do you mean who Melissa sneered weren't you the one who contacted me yes that's right I asked you to visit him in the hospital but I don't recall inviting you to the funeral I replied attend
a funeral we never intended to our attire should make that obvious Melissa's voice dripped with sarcasm I thought we should talk before any procedures start my son has a right to The Inheritance I can't let you monopolize it inheritance it hasn't even been an hour since the funeral ended there are other things to take care of first I struggle to contain my anger though I wanted to retort I couldn't find the words Thomas laughed coldly I know the medical bills are covered by workers compensation and you've got a hefty settlement from the accident plus you
must have received a good amount in Dillan money from the funeral that's great isn't it it became clear that they had been checking on Peter's finances ever since his condition worsened Melissa must have been investigating expecting an inheritance Peter's estate including the inheritance is valued at $1.5 million I said firmly but the process isn't as simple as you think still they pressed on WE intend to get our fair share so keep that in mind on Auntie Thomas said mockingly I took a deep breath trying to call my anger it was challenging Thomas had always been
interested in money he seemed to think only of extracting as much as possible from any Source without considering Peter's feelings I've had enough I raised my voice unintentionally sensing the tension the funeral staff who had been cleaning up quickly went to call Peter's closest friend Jack what's going on eelyn Jack hurried over and upon seeing Melissa and Thomas his face hardened can't you two understand the situation Melissa recognizing Jack sneered again well if it isn't my ex-husband's buddy still close with him I see what was it a brotherly bond between men makes me sick she
snapped Jack remained firm defending Peter's honor how dare you speak ill of him at a time like this he said if you're only here to argue about inheritance then leave Melissa wasn't done declare right here that he'll divide the inheritance properly with Thomas she demanded pulling out her phone ready to record the conversation Jack was about to turn away but stopped all about the inheritance Jack said turning back to face them your son has a right to it you say can you prove that Thomas is indeed Peter's child what why would I need to prove
something like that Melissa shot back her tone defensive it seems you don't understand Jack continued calmly Peter had doubts during your pregnancy Melissa he hired a detective agency to investigate and it was discovered that despite being married you were involved with another man Thomas looked confused his confidence vanished as Jack's words sank in what does that mean he demanded turning to his mother Melissa's face turned pale and she trembled Thomas realizing something was wrong shook his mother's shoulder what's going on tell me but Melissa remained silent unable to speak finally Jack revealed the truth the
blood type of your son didn't batch Peters it was a great shock to him he chose not to reveal it to spare you both but there's no blood relation between your son and Peter Thomas was speechless believing all his life that Peter was his biological father he now faced the painful truth his anger surged directed at Melissa why didn't you tell me he shouted I always thought he was my real father Melissa cornered tried to evade the truth but Thomas Fury only grew I won't take the inheritance even if I have legal rights I'll relinquish
everything Thomas declared before storming out leaving his mother standing there in shock Jack with compassion in his voice escorted Melissa out of the venue as she collapsed her secret exposed to the world after that day neither Melissa nor Thomas ree Aid in my life I later heard from Jack that Thomas knowing the truth about his parentage had cut ties with his mother The Inheritance battle never resurfaced and life began to return to normal one day I visited the doctor about the health issues that had been troubling me since Peter's accident I thought it was stress
related but the diagnosis was a surprise I was pregnant with Peter's child a baby boy the doctor advised me to take care of my health and I resolved to do so when I visited Peter's grave to share the joyous news I noticed unfamiliar flowers and Peter's favorite food offered there it wasn't his Memorial Day and only a few people knew his favorite food I have an intuition that Thomas have visited Ed standing before Peter's grave I whispered hey it looks like you and Thomas made peace after all I'm so glad
