After my husband’s funeral, I went to my sister’s son’s first birthday party, and she announced, “My son is your husband’s child, so…””Inheritance, I’m going to take half of your $800,000 house.” She even showed me her will. I said, “Oh, I see,” and tried to stifle a laugh. BECAUSE MY HUSBAND…

“Before we discuss the will, I’d like to understand exactly what you’re claiming happened between you and Adam.” Cassandra launched into her rehearsed story of an affair and Adam’s alleged unhappiness. I listened, then began asking specific questions about the hotel, the room, Adam’s habits – details only someone truly intimate with him would know. Cassandra grew flustered, her answers vague and contradictory.

“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?”