Chapter 12: The Will
"What are we waiting for? After all, there's no need for you to read the will. I already know its contents. Sara and Antonio have to leave for their honeymoon in the evening, and there are hundreds of things she has to prepare. She can't wait all day," Mrs. Lara Anderson complained to the paralegal who had been sitting with them in the conference room.
As the door to the room opened, the woman looked at the entrance with an inaudible sigh of relief. However, when William Doughby and Nora Williams walked in, she winced as Lara Anderson's high-pitched voice rang out, "Why is she here?"
Even Antonio and Sara, who had been sitting quietly until now, looked at the older woman with puzzlement. While Sara frowned, Antonio could only stare at her. She looked so different. The Nora he knew was always dressed in loose long-sleeved t-shirts and jeans. Yesterday, she had worn a dress for the reception, and he had been unable to stop himself from staring at her. He had convinced himself that it was because he felt guilty towards her, but this morning... she looked even more breathtaking than yesterday...
"Mother? Why are you in such a bad mood? Why can't I be here? Sara is here? Even Antonio, who has nothing to do with our late grandparents, is here."
Lara Anderson seemed to realize that her mask of being a loving mother had almost slipped. She quickly stood up and hugged Nora.
Patting Nora's face, Lara spoke, "I am sorry for sounding so abrupt, dear. It's just that I wasn't expecting you here. I've also been so worried. You didn't even return home last night... Were you at your friend Isabella's place?"
"All you had to do was call, and you would know my whereabouts, mother," Nora replied stiffly.
An uncomfortable silence hung in the air as Lara stared at her daughter with narrowed eyes. There was something different about her today, other than the dress.
"Did you borrow Isabella's dress? You look very different... and not in a good way, sweetheart," Lara commented, intently studying her daughter as if trying to read her mind.
Stepping away from Lara, Nora ignored the comment and instead replied, "Let's not waste Grandpa William's time discussing my fashion choices, Mother. Grandpa, we're all here, so let's begin."
This time, Lara's gaze was sharper as she turned to the man and directly questioned, "Why is Nora's presence needed? Sara is here to claim her inheritance. Nora can claim hers when she is ma... older."