Chapter 5

Testament

AFTER my father's funeral, mommy and I went home.

I am still very quiet inside the car, also mommy who is next to me.

I sighed and turned to her. I hugged her tightly. "We can do it, mom. . I am always here no matter what happened. Promise, I will never go anywhere again." I promise her.

Mom smiles and embraces me. "I love you so much, baby."

"I love you too, Mommy. Let's just be strong."

She nodded. "Our lawyer is waiting in our home, baby."

I looked up and nodded. ."I am ready, mom. I know what I should do now."

Mommy and I held hands when we entered the big house that I hadn't seen in two years. And lastly, I feel at home again. Just like that, my feet were still soft as I walked towards the opening of the wide main door.

Nothing was changed in that house. What it looked like the last time I saw it, it's still the same today.

The two uniformed maids who were waiting for us smiled at us. They happily greeted me on my return.

"Welcome home, my daughter." mom mumbled.

"Thank you, mom," I answered, but the joy in my heart was no longer complete. That is because the head of our home is already gone. However, I still refrained from showing sadness.

Mommy and I immediately spotted daddy's current lawyer. He stood up when he saw us coming in the direction of the living room.

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Torres. And welcome back, Aurora. Again, condolences."

Mommy and I nodded at him and only slightly smiled in response.

"Please be seated, Attorney Ramos," mommy said.

I sat next to my mother on the long sofa. While Attorney Ramos was on a similar sofa.

He quietly opened the attached case and took out a sealed document.

"First of all, I would like to announce to you that this handwriting of, Mr. Raul Torres he made, and changed the will, last year. He signed it and kept it tightly hidden, only to be released at the appointed time when he was gone from this world. And this day is the appointed time stated in his will," he reports.

I swallowed while listening. I sense my mother feels shaky. I held his hand and caressed it. I whispered to her that everything is going to be okay.

The Attorney then opened the sealed envelope. He opened it and read it in front of us. Upon hearing what is stated inside the testament, I am no longer shocked by what I heard. I can feel the pressure of mommy's grip on my palm.

My two friends said everything was right. Daddy's family business, which was inherited by his parents, continued to worsen. Our family's business has really fallen since then. But because of the help of Dad's friend who is one of the largest and most stable companies in the city, Daddy's company remained standing. But in return, my father needs to sacrifice me.

Mommy had just given birth to me then. It's my luck to pay off the debt.

That is the main reason why I ran away from my family. I couldn't accept then that I was just paying a debt. At the time, I was hurt by what I discovered. I feel like they don't love me, especially my father... but when I heard the testament entirely, my heart gradually broke. I want to cry out in front of my Mom and Attorney Ramos.

I realized that Daddy doesn't want to mess with what I wanted in life. So he tried to make a way for me to live the life I wanted. He invests in a new home for me and my mom. It named that little property after me. Mom didn't know about it, only Daddy himself knew.

"Mrs. And Ms. Torres... It is also stated here in the will when it will be revealed will be your last week in this house."

Mom and I awe. We both couldn't believe it.

"W-why do we have to leave here?" I asked full of wonder.

"Because this mansion belongs to the Harrison family, also the Torres Company, as well as the other properties that are written under Mr. Raul Torres's name. All are owned by the Harrisons. Except for the house that he bought for his daughter—Aurora Torres..."

"Oh, God... I-I can't leave here. Aurora, I can't... All the memories of me and your father, of our family, are here. I-I don't want to." mommy started to cry, I took pity on her and hugged her.

"Shh... Mom, calm down. I'll find a way, promise. They won't make us leave here in our own home. Okay, calm down, I'm just here, okay?"

"Aurora..." she burst into tears.

"Atty Ramos... I know that there are other options so that they can't even get hold of this house. I'll pay, I'll pay even for this house first—"

"The 1st option is— you have to marry the only heir of the Harrison. If you get married, they will no longer own this house and Torres' 50% share in the company will remain. If you won't negotiate with the Harrison, then you have no other options but to leave everything to them,"

"I-is there no other way, attorney?"

He shrugged his shoulders and shook his head. "That's the only thing that was stated in his will. You will get married and you will still have the property left by your father, or you won't but you will have nothing left. Anyway, it is your choice now, Aurora."

"How many days is the grace period before we finally leave this house of ours?"

"You only have a week to empty the house." He answered me.

My fist clenched. "How can I talk to Harrison?"

"Aurora, let's just go—"

I stopped my mom from talking. ."No mom, this house belongs to us," I faced the attorney again. "Will you please schedule me an appointment with my father's business partner?"

He nods. "Of course. As soon as possible, Ms. Torres..."