I tore open the silver seal of the Tyvek envelope.

Inside was a crisp, multi-page document bound in a thick blue legal cover.

The signatures at the bottom of the final page were clear.

The gold notary seal was pristine, stamped with a date from three years ago.

I turned the pages, my eyes scanning the dense legal language.

On page eight, a specific paragraph was highlighted in yellow ink.

“Read section twelve,” Sean said.

I looked down at the highlighted text.

*“In the event that any beneficiary named herein shall attempt to contest, alter, nullify, or forge any provision of this Last Will and Testament, such beneficiary shall be immediately and entirely disinherited.”*

My breath hitched.

*“Their designated share of the estate shall be forfeited in its entirety and transferred immediately to the remaining lawful heirs.”*

I read the words again, my heart pounding against my ribs.

“A disinheritance clause,” I whispered.

“A strict one,” Sean said. “Your parents and Brandon filed a forged codicil to take your trust fund.”

“By doing that, they triggered the clause,” I said, looking up at him.