Chapter 3 — Father's Final Recording
Michael placed one final item onto the dining table.
A small flash drive.
"Mr. Whitmore instructed us to play this only if his wishes were ever challenged."
The television turned on.
Richard Whitmore appeared on the screen from his hospital room.
He looked frail.
Weak.
But completely lucid.
"If you're watching this..."
he smiled sadly,
"...then Vanessa ignored everything I warned her."
Vanessa froze.
Richard continued.
"Daniel carried this family for years."
"He paid my medical bills."
"He saved this house."
"He kept the company alive."
"I watched him sacrifice everything while the rest of you treated him like an outsider."
Patricia lowered her head.
Tears finally appeared.
Richard looked directly into the camera.
"So I made one final decision."
He paused.
"If anyone humiliates Daniel after my death..."
his tired eyes hardened,
"...they deserve to lose everything I gave them."
The screen went black.
May you like
No one spoke.
The silence was unbearable.
