*The Will*
Avery sat in the lawyer's office, her eyes fixed on the somber-faced man behind the desk. The scent of old books and stale air filled her nostrils, and the soft hum of the air conditioner seemed to vibrate through her entire body. She fidgeted with her hands, her mind still reeling from the news of her mother's passing. Victoria's death had left a gaping hole in her life, and now she was about to learn about the details of her mother's will.
Richard, Avery's stepfather, sat beside her, his expression a mask of grief and concern. Asher, Caleb, and Julian, her stepbrothers, stood near the window, their backs to the room, each lost in their own thoughts. The morning sunlight cast long shadows across the floor, and Avery's gaze drifted to the dust motes dancing in the beam of light.
The lawyer, Mr. Thompson, cleared his throat and began to speak, his voice low and measured. "Victoria's will is quite...unconventional. She left specific instructions regarding the inheritance of Willowbrook Manor, the family estate."
Avery's heart skipped a beat as Mr. Thompson paused, glancing at her and her stepbrothers. "The condition of inheritance is...Avery must marry one of her stepbrothers within a month of her mother's passing."
The room fell silent. Avery felt like she'd been punched in the gut. She turned to her stepbrothers, expecting shock or disgust, but their reactions were varied.
Asher's expression turned cold and calculating, his eyes narrowing slightly as he turned to face her. Caleb raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes, and Julian's gaze remained fixed on the floor, his emotions unreadable.
Avery's mind reeled. Marry one of her stepbrothers? It was absurd, impossible. But the thought of losing Willowbrook Manor, a place her mother loved dearly, was unbearable. The estate held memories of laughter, tears, and countless moments of joy. Avery's mother had always spoken fondly of the manor, and Avery couldn't imagine anyone else owning it.
"What does this mean?" Avery asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Mr. Thompson's expression was sympathetic. "It means, Avery, that you have thirty days to choose one of your stepbrothers to marry. If you fail to comply, the estate will be sold, and the proceeds will go to charity."
Avery felt a wave of panic wash over her. Thirty days to decide her future? It was a decision that would change her life forever. She thought about her mother's words, spoken in passing, about finding love and happiness. Was this some twisted way of achieving that?
As the reality of the situation sank in, Avery's thoughts swirled with questions. How could her mother do this to her? What would happen if she refused? And what about her stepbrothers? Would they even agree to this arrangement?
The room seemed to shrink, the air thickening with tension. Avery's eyes met her stepbrothers', and for a moment, they just stared at each other, the weight of their uncertain future hanging in the balance.
Avery's mind was racing. Marry one of her stepbrothers? It seemed like a cruel joke. She thought about her relationships with them:
Asher was always so serious and critical. Could she really live with him?
Caleb was charming, but was he serious about her, or just playing games?
Julian was quiet and mysterious. What was he thinking?
Avery felt trapped. She didn't know what to do. Part of her wanted to rebel against her mother's will, but another part wanted to honor her mother's wishes.Questions swirled in her mind:Why would Mother do this?-,What if I don't choose any of them?,Can I really marry one of my stepbrothers?
Avery's emotions were in turmoil. She felt like she was losing control.
Avery's inner conflict intensified as she struggled to process the will's condition. She felt like she was torn between honoring her mother's wishes and following her own heart.
As she sat in stunned silence, memories flooded her mind. Her mother's words, "Follow your heart, Avery," now seemed ironic. How could she follow her heart when faced with this impossible choice?
Avery's thoughts swirled with doubts:
Was her mother's love for her conditional?
Did she truly know her stepbrothers?
Could she trust them?
The more she thought, the more confused she became. Avery needed clarity, but her mind was a jumble of emotions.
Avery's face felt numb as she processed the lawyer's words. She glanced at her stepbrothers, who seemed just as stunned as she was. Asher's eyes narrowed, Caleb's expression was unreadable, and Julian looked like he'd been punched in the gut.
The lawyer's voice faded into the background as Avery's mind reeled. She thought about her mother, about the manor, and about the impossible choice she had to make. The room seemed to spin around her, and she felt like she was drowning in uncertainty.
"Is this some kind of joke?" Avery asked, her voice shaking slightly.
The lawyer's expression was somber. "I'm afraid not, Avery. Your mother's wishes are clear. You have thirty days to choose one of your stepbrothers to marry. If you don't, the manor will be sold."
Avery felt a surge of anger and frustration. Why would her mother do this to her? What was she thinking?
As the lawyer finished speaking, Avery stood up, her legs trembling beneath her. "I need some time to think," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
The lawyer nodded. "Of course, Avery. Take all the time you need. But remember, the clock is ticking."