Chapter 8: What the Will Said
Patricia called at 8:47 the next morning.
Robert put her on speaker.
The five of them — Sandra had come to Robert's house at dawn, unable to sleep alone — gathered around the kitchen table.
"The trust condition exists," Patricia said.
"Gerald Croft's estate established a discretionary trust in 2019, two years before his death.
The language is specific.
I'm going to read the relevant section directly."
A pause.
Papers.
*"In the event that a biological child of the Grantor is identified and verified through DNA testing within ten years of the Grantor's passing, said child shall receive forty percent of the trust corpus.
The remaining sixty percent shall be distributed to Daniel Croft, as previously designated.
In the absence of a verified biological child, Daniel Croft shall receive the full trust corpus."*
"How much is the trust corpus?" Marcus asked.
"Based on the public filing — and Gerald's estate was not small — we're looking at approximately four point three million dollars."
Nobody spoke.
"Forty percent," Lily said finally.
"One point seven million," Patricia confirmed.
"Give or take, depending on current valuations." Another pause.
"There's a second element you need to hear.
The ten-year window opened at Gerald's death.
That was four years ago.
There are six years remaining.
But the trust also includes a clause requiring the claimant to initiate the process — meaning file a formal claim — before the window closes."
"Daniel knows the clock is running," Robert said.
"Yes.
And he knows that if Marcus files a claim and the DNA test shows Gerald is not the father, the claim fails and Daniel keeps everything.
But if Marcus files and the test shows Gerald is the father—"
"Daniel loses one point seven million," Marcus said.
"Correct."
"Patricia," Sandra said.
"Is there any scenario where Daniel could prevent a claim from being filed?
Legally?"
"No.
Marcus is of age.
He has standing.
If he chooses to file, Daniel cannot stop him." A beat.
"But Daniel may not be thinking legally."
The line was quiet for a moment.
"I've also spoken to a colleague who handles harassment and civil threats," Patricia continued.
"The photograph, the parking lot incident, the timing — it's a thin file right now, but it's a file.
If Daniel makes one more move, we add it.
And we start building toward a restraining order." She paused.
"Marcus, I want to ask you something directly.
Do you want to file a claim?"
Marcus looked at Robert.
Robert said nothing.
He waited.
"I don't care about the money," Marcus said.
"I want to know the truth.
I want to know who my father is." He looked at Sandra.
She was looking at the table.
"But if Gerald is my biological father, I want what he left.
Not for me.
For her." He looked at his mother.
"She spent seventeen years running from that family.
She deserves something for that."
Sandra looked up.
"Marcus—"
"File the claim," he said.
"And schedule the DNA test."
He looked at Robert when he said the second part.
Robert held his gaze.
"Both tests," Marcus said.
"Gerald's estate needs a sample from his records.
And I want to know about Robert too."
Patricia said she would handle it.
After she hung up, the kitchen was very still.
May you like
Sandra reached across the table and put her hand over Marcus's.
He didn't pull away.
