"You hypocritical bastard, I won't allow you to be in the same frame with my mother."
She stepped forward, ready to snatch it away.
I couldn't let her disturb Adelaide's peace, so I shielded the frame.
But Raymond moved in quickly, grabbing my wrist with a tight grip. I struggled, but he overpowered me and took the frame.
He looked down at me with disdain.
"Boyce, get real. To her, you were just a son-in-law by marriage, no blood ties."
I could only manage a bitter smile.
Initially, I had thought the same.
But everything changed when Adelaide altered her will at the last minute, leaving the house to me. It was then that I realized how much I had meant to her.
On her deathbed, she had clutched my hand, her voice weak but filled with warmth.
"Boyce, thank you for staying by my side. I have a few things I need to say to you.
"Divorce Yedda. I know you've wanted to for a long time, but selfishly, I didn't want her to lose you.
"Now, though, I can't bring myself to speak for her anymore. I know you've been through a lot, and she doesn't deserve you. Leave her, and I wish you happiness for the rest of your life.
"Even after I'm gone and the family falls apart, you'll always be my eldest son."