Chapter 12 - Ethan's Second WillThe supposed new will was a forgery.
Witnesses admitted Paul had brought them a signature page without Ethan present.
The document was designed to create conflict between Marcus and me.
If Marcus rejected the inheritance, control could potentially shift toward a Bell-controlled entity.
Another trap.
Another contingency.
Another attempt to reach Ethan's money.
Paul eventually confessed.
Marcus voluntarily surrendered his legitimate inheritance rights in favor of the employee trust.
“I don't want another family war over this company,” he said.
I understood.
For the first time, the Walker family was choosing something other than blood.
Then I legally changed my name.
I dropped Bell from my middle name.
Not because I could erase my past.
I couldn't.
But because I could decide how much power that name had over my future.
The twins turned one at the McCall cabin.
Yellow decorations.
A small cake.
Lily took her first steps.
Noah destroyed his frosting.
I laughed until I cried.
Ethan's photograph sat quietly nearby.
Not as a shrine.
As part of our history.
Later, Marcus gave me Ethan's old watch.
“He wore it when he proposed.”
I held it carefully.
Then Marcus smiled.
“He also wore it during that terrible Christmas argument.”
I laughed.
“Which one?”
“Exactly.”
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For the first time, remembering Ethan didn't only hurt.
It also made me smile.
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