Arthur cleared his throat and began to read.

“I, Richard Vance, being of sound mind, declare that my entire personal estate is empty. Every asset, including the Mansfield house, the bank accounts, and the life insurance, was transferred into an irrevocable trust for my wife, Ellen, two days ago.”

Misty’s lawyer dropped his pen. It made a sharp clack on the wood. “That is impossible. The house was in his name.”

“Actually, it was in both their names with survivorship rights,” Arthur said, a small, cold smile appearing on his face. “And the trust was funded prior to his passing. The transfer deeds were filed electronically that afternoon. The estate has zero assets. The second will, which leaves ‘all personal estate assets’ to Ms. Harrison, is completely valid. It is just empty.”

Misty’s face went from pale to a dark, angry purple. She stood up, her chair screeching. “What about the life insurance? I am the beneficiary!”

“The policy was owned by the trust as of two days before his death,” Arthur said calmly. “The beneficiary was updated. The trust is the sole recipient of the 1.2 million dollars. And Ellen is the sole trustee.”

Misty turned to her lawyer, her hands shaking. “Do something! Tell him he can’t do this!”

Her lawyer looked at the paper Arthur handed him. His white-toothed smile was completely gone. He looked at the notary stamp, then at the signature. “Misty… we have a problem. If the trust was funded before death, the estate is empty. There is nothing to probate.”

“But he left me everything!” she screamed.

“He did,” Arthur said. “He left you his estate. Which includes his personal liabilities. Like the three hundred and fifty thousand dollar business loan he took out for your boutique last month. The loan where you are listed as the co-signer.

Since the estate is insolvent, the bank will be coming to you for the full balance.”

Misty let out a sound that did not even sound human. She grabbed her designer purse and slammed it against the wall. “He promised me! He said she would be the one on the street!”

She stormed out of the room, her heels clicking like a machine gun down the hallway. Her lawyer gathered his papers, murmured a quick apology, and practically ran after her.

Inside the room, it was completely quiet.

David stared at me. He looked smaller now. The anger in his eyes was gone, replaced by something that looked like absolute panic. “Mom…”