“Why does any of this matter?” she snapped. “Lucas is Adam’s son, and the will proves it.”
“Actually,” I said, calmly opening my folder, “both of those claims are demonstrably false.” I placed the medical records on the table. “Two years before Lucas was conceived, Adam had a vasectomy. It was physically impossible for him to father a child.”
Cassandra’s face drained of color. “These could be faked,” she whispered.
“They are not,” I replied. “Adam’s doctor is prepared to testify.” Next, I produced Adam’s legitimate will. “This is Adam’s actual will. It leaves everything to me, with no mention of Lucas.”
Her confidence crumbled. “He must have changed it.”
“The will you have,” I said, “is a forgery. Creating a fraudulent will is a felony in Massachusetts, punishable by up to five years in prison.” I methodically presented Adam’s journal, the damning texts, and Frank’s investigation report. “We know everything, Cassandra. The question now is what happens next.”
She was silent, then began to cry, deep, body-racking sobs. “I didn’t know what else to do,” she gasped. “I’m going to be homeless. Tyler left us with nothing. The medical bills just keep coming. I thought if I could just get some money…”
“So you decided to destroy Adam’s reputation?” I asked, my voice hardening. “To tell everyone he cheated on me, to forge legal documents?”
“I was desperate!” she shouted, anger replacing sadness. “You have everything! What do I have? A baby with a heart condition, $75,000 in debt, and an eviction notice! You try making good decisions in that situation!”
Her raw honesty hung in the air. “Lucas is Tyler’s son, isn’t he?” I asked more gently.
She nodded. “Yes. Adam never touched me. He was annoyingly loyal to you.”
“And the will?”
“My friend Dave helped me create it. I was going to use it to pressure you. I never thought you’d look into it so thoroughly.”
I turned off the recorder. “I could press charges,” I said. “What you did was illegal, cruel, and calculated. But that would hurt Lucas. And despite everything, he is my nephew. I love him.”
“So, here’s what’s going to happen. You will tell everyone the truth: that you lied about the affair, that Lucas is not Adam’s son, and that you forged the will. You will apologize publicly to me and to Adam’s memory.”
“And then what?” she asked. “We’ll still be evicted.”