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“That’s Rachel,” I murmured. I recognized the name from months earlier, when it had flashed across Lily’s phone. “The coworker.”
My chest burned. I half-rose from my seat, ready to pull her away, but my father yanked me back down. “Not here, Em,” he warned quietly. “Not during the service.”
The pastor spoke about Lily’s warmth, her laugh, and the baby boy she had already named Noah. I couldn’t stop staring at Jason, trying to understand how a man who claimed to love my sister could bring his affair partner to her funeral only weeks after Lily and her unborn child died.
“Excuse me,” he said, his voice carrying through the church. “My name is Daniel Hayes. I am Lily Reed’s attorney.”
Jason snapped upright. “Now? We’re doing this now?” he barked.
Mr. Hayes didn’t react. “Your wife left explicit instructions,” he replied evenly. “Her will is to be opened and read today, in front of her family—and in front of you.”Family
“There is a section Lily insisted be read aloud at her funeral.”
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“This is a personal statement Lily attached to her will,” he explained. “Written in her own hand, three weeks before her death.”
Mr. Hayes began reading.
“If you are hearing this, I am no longer here. Jason, I know about Rachel. I’ve known far longer than you think.”
“I tried to forgive you for our baby’s sake. But every lie, every late night, chipped away at me until something inside died long before my body did. That is why I changed my will.”
Mr. Hayes paused briefly, then continued.
“To my husband, Jason Reed, I leave nothing beyond what the law requires. You may keep your personal items and the car in your name. That is all. You have already taken enough from me.”
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