Julian answered before I could.
“Mr. Harding, the current estate is valued at approximately forty-eight million dollars, excluding several private investments that are held separately.”
My mother’s crying stopped.
My father’s head lifted slowly.
Forty-eight million.
They had always known I had money.
They had never understood how much.
I had sold my medical software company quietly. I had invested carefully. I had built everything without announcing it at family dinners.
And somehow, despite all those years, they had treated my generosity as if it were an obligation.
My father stared at me.
“You were going to leave us forty-eight million dollars?”
“Not forty-eight million.”
He looked confused.
“Then how much?”
“Before tonight, you and Mom were set to receive several properties, investment accounts, and access to a family trust.”
He swallowed.
“And now?”
“Now you receive nothing from my estate.”
My mother whispered, “Nothing?”
I shook my head.
“Nothing.”
She walked toward my bed.
“Please.”
I looked at her.
“Please what?”
“We’re your parents.”
I nodded slowly.
