Chapter 11
Gene claimed Arthur was confused.
She claimed Brandon was unstable from “shocking holiday revelations.”
She claimed I manipulated Holly into creating a scene to steal family money.
Her petition was ugly.
Detailed.
Prepared.
Melissa read it once and said, “She had this ready before Christmas.”
That meant Gene expected conflict.
Maybe even wanted it.
Maybe she planned to use Holly’s humiliation to paint us as dramatic and unfit.
But she had not expected the red box.
She had not expected Edward’s clause.
She had not expected Clara alive.
In court, Gene wore navy and pearls.
She looked like a grieving mother.
Arthur sat beside Brandon.
Holly sat between me and Aunt Brenda, who kept feeding her peppermints from her purse.
The judge reviewed the medical records Gene submitted.
Melissa stood.
“Your Honor, those records are signed by Dr. Alan Pierce.”
Brandon stiffened.
Pierce.
Malcolm Pierce’s brother.
The judge frowned.
“And?”
Melissa placed Edward’s journal pages into evidence.
“Dr. Pierce has been financially connected to Mrs. Hale for thirty-one years.”
Gene’s lawyer objected.
The judge allowed it.
Then Melissa played a recording from Clara’s lockbox.
Gene’s voice.
Arthur doesn’t need to know. He loves the boy. That makes him useful.
Arthur closed his eyes.
Brandon went pale.
Gene stared straight ahead.
The judge denied guardianship.
Then ordered an investigation into Arthur’s finances and Clara’s confinement.
Outside court, Gene stepped close to Brandon.
“You think he’ll still love you now?”
Arthur answered before Brandon could.
“I loved him before I knew the truth. I love him after. That is how family works.”
May you like
Holly smiled at him.
For the first time, she called him Grandpa.
