Chapter 12 - THE LAST WILL OF PATRICK GALLAGHER
The final betrayal came from a sealed document.
Patrick Gallagher's will.
Desmond's father had died seven years earlier.
But a previously undisclosed amendment surfaced during the investigation.
It concerned Lily.
The document established a trust in her name.
A substantial trust.
One that would transfer control of certain family assets to her if she was alive and legally identified.
Desmond stared.
“Father knew.”
His attorney nodded.
“He knew she was alive.”
Sadi looked at the paperwork.
“And he still let everyone believe she was missing?”
“Yes.”
Desmond's expression darkened.
The amendment also contained a clause.
If Lily returned, the assets assigned to her would be removed from the control of the Gallagher brothers.
Caleb had known about the provision.
That explained why he had searched for her.
Not to reunite the family.
To prevent her from reclaiming what belonged to her.
***
Lily listened as the attorney explained.
Then she laughed bitterly.
“So Father hid me, and still found a way to use me after he died.”
Desmond looked devastated.
“Lily—”
She raised a hand.
“No.”
He stopped.
She looked at him.
“I spent twenty years trying to build a life that wasn't controlled by this family.”
Her voice trembled.
“I'm not going to let a trust fund become another cage.”
Sadi smiled faintly.
“Then don't.”
Lily looked at her.
“What?”
“It's your money. Your decision.”
Desmond nodded.
“She's right.”
Lily stared at him.
“You're not going to tell me what to do?”
“No.”
She began crying.
Then laughed through her tears.
“That's new.”
Desmond smiled sadly.
“I'm working on it.”
***
Lily eventually decided to use part of the trust to support survivors of coercive institutional placements and fund legal assistance for people trying to recover their identities.
She kept enough to secure her future.
She donated the rest through an independently managed foundation.
Desmond supported her.
Without conditions.
***
That night, he and Sadi sat on the terrace.
The summer air was warm.
Crickets sang beyond the garden.
Desmond looked toward the stars.
“My father spent his life collecting things.”
Sadi glanced at him.
“Money?”
“Power. Secrets. People.”
“And?”
“He died alone.”
She was quiet.
Desmond looked at her.
“I don't want that.”
Sadi smiled.
“Then don't live like him.”
He took her hand.
“I'm trying.”
May you like
She leaned closer.
“I know.”
