Chapter 5 - Turning the Tables
Armed with the proof of their financial fraud and the modified will, I didn't call my parents. I called my attorney.
"We have enough to file a civil lawsuit for breach of fiduciary duty regarding the estate," the lawyer told me. "Furthermore, the accounts you funded under fraudulent pretenses—like the fake medical emergencies—constitute civil fraud. If we take this to court, your father faces severe financial ruin, and potentially criminal charges."
"Draft the paperwork," I said without a hint of hesitation. "But don't file it yet. Serve it to them directly. Let's see how much they value Miranda's pride when prison is on the table."
The following day, a process server arrived at my parents' home, delivering a thick legal packet.
Within twenty minutes, my phone rang. It was my mother, but her voice was no longer filled with righteous fury. She sounded broken, terrified.
"Emily... please," she sobbed into the phone. "What is this? A lawsuit? You’re suing your own flesh and blood? Your father's blood pressure is dangerously high. You're going to kill him!"
"Dad brought this on himself when he chose to steal my inheritance and lie to me for ten years," I replied coldly. "You used my love for this family as a weapon against me. You left Lily in the rain because you thought I was weak enough to keep paying you anyway. You were wrong."
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"We'll give the house back! We'll move out!" she begged. "Just don't take us to court. We don't have the money for lawyers!"
"You have thirty-four days until the first court hearing," I said. "Tell Miranda to start packing her bags, too. The free ride is officially over."
