Chapter 3 – Grandmother's Final Secret
Grace's father slowly walked toward her.
He looked twenty years older.
"I'm sorry."
She didn't answer.
Instead, she asked one question.
"Why did Grandma leave the orchard to me?"
Her father reached into his coat pocket.
He removed an old sealed envelope.
"I was supposed to give you this after the wedding."
Grace recognized her grandmother's handwriting immediately.
Inside was another will.
Along with several photographs.
The oldest photo showed Grandma planting the very first apple tree.
Standing beside her...
Was little Grace.
Not Vanessa.
Her grandmother's letter explained everything.
"Grace was the only grandchild who worked beside me every summer. She cared for the trees, not because they were valuable, but because she loved them."
"The orchard belongs to the one who protected it."
Then came the final sentence.
"If anyone attempts to steal it through fraud, my attorney is instructed to transfer the entire estate into an irrevocable conservation trust under Grace's sole control."
Mason grabbed the papers.
His hands shook.
"This... this wasn't filed."
Grace smiled for the first time that day.
A familiar voice answered from behind him.
"It was."
Everyone turned again.
An elderly attorney entered carrying certified court documents.
"I filed it six months ago."
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Vanessa suddenly realized...
She had been fighting for property she could never legally own.
