Page 91 of Wicked Promises

“And finally, to my brother, David Asher, I leave the stewardship of Caleb’s inheritance and the board position, to guide and protect until it is transferred to Caleb’s name. This includes potential guardianship of Caleb himself, should David and family remain fit per state standards.”

Uncle David turned to Mom and me. “Well, that was… worth the trip, dare I say?”

Mom pushed me behind her. “You had a hand in this,” she snarled. “All because?—”

“You got into bed with the wrong person,” he finished. His attention moved to me. “I’ll be seeing you soon, I suspect.”

I glared at him, and it just made him laugh.

It was the last thing I heard out of Uncle David’s mouth as he walked away.

“Josh,” Mom said, shoving through relatives until we were up to the desk. “He can’t be serious. When were these changes made?”

Mr. Black shuffled some papers. “July 5, 2008.”

She gasped. “He knew.”

“About your affair? I suppose he did.” He produced a sealed envelope and passed it to her. “He left this for you. And one for you, Caleb.”

I took the envelope he handed me carefully. “Can I read it?”

“Whenever you want.” Mr. Black raised his head. “Give us the room, please.”

People grumbled behind me, but I paid them no mind. Dad had always taught me that lesser people will always make more noise—it’s action that mattered.

I took a step away from Mom, who was… well, I wasn’t sure if she wascrying, exactly, but she was definitely in shock.

I half listened to their conversation. “David and Iris aren’t fit parents,” she said. “But his will made it sound like Caleb…”

“He can’t take away your parental rights,” Mr. Black said.

“But I have nothing, is that right? Just a savings account in my name that I can…”

I pulled out the letter and unfolded it.

Dear son,

I am writing this in the event of my death. You could be reading this when you’re twelve or twenty-two, I don’t know. And for that, I apologize in advance. Things between your mother and I are getting more tense, and I’m not sure to what ends she would go.

Be strong. Everything is left to you. If you’re not yet eighteen, your Uncle David will take care of everything,including you. He’s a good man with a short temper—kind of like your old man—but I trust him to do right by you.

You’re holding up the Asher name on your shoulders, and that is no easy task. Your fate in life is uncertain. To sell the shares, move away, become your own person with a healthy bank account? Continue as I was?

Make us proud, son.

With love,

Dad

My memory of him did have dark spots—when his anger boiled over. But overall, he was good. He taught me important lessons without being too harsh, took me to the park when work allowed. He worked for the family.

His whole life was dedicated to building up our name.

And one night ruined it. Dragged it through the mud.

I ran my finger across his signature, folded the letter, and shoved it in my pocket.

When I turned around, Mom was still clutching her unopened one, arguing with the lawyer.