“Margaret anticipated questions regarding competency as well,” he says. “Included in the estate file are two medical evaluations, a video witness record, and notarized affirmations executed within seventy-two hours of the will signing.”
The color drains from Ethan’s face one shade at a time.
It is almost subtle. Forehead first. Then mouth. Then the small lines around his eyes.
Lauren looks at him for reassurance and does not get it.
Harlan resumes reading.
“To my son Ethan, if your mistress is present while this is being read, then at least one mystery has been resolved. You did, in fact, confuse audacity for intelligence.”
I actually feel the air leave the room.
Not metaphorically. There is an audible collective intake and silence, though the only people present are four of us and one lawyer. It still feels like an audience has materialized, invisible and hungry.
Lauren’s lips part.
Ethan whispers, “Jesus.”
Harlan does not pause.
“To the woman seated beside him, holding the child who did not ask to be born into deceit, let me state clearly what I suspect no one in your life has said often enough: proximity to a man’s weakness is not the same thing as victory.”
Lauren flinches.