Episode 3The Will

<p><br/><br/>The two brothers, Jonathan and Henry, had always been there for each other. They took care of everything, including the office work, as they ran their family businesses together. However, there was one matter that Jonathan had been avoiding for a while - the reading of their late father's will.<br/><br/>"Jonathan, you have to get ready, my love. The will is going to be read this weekend, and you need to be there. Since our companies have been merged, you are also a part of it," Jonathan's wife, Margaret, said.<br/><br/>"We will go together," she simply answered. Jonathan knew that his wife was not interested in anything except the only family she had left - her two kids and him. He loved her even more because she did not give up on them.<br/><br/>The lawyer arrived, and all the preparations were made. Two lawyers came from both sides of the family. The lawyer began reading the will, and to everyone's surprise, Henry erupted in anger.<br/><br/>"That's not fair! What about my children? Is it because I'm not their real child? And what about my wife? I can't believe it!" Henry shouted.<br/><br/>"The will was made on our wedding day, Henry, and you know that. By that time, no one knew you were going to marry soon. Besides, they died so soon. This was the only will there is. Please don't make any scandal over it," Jonathan tried to reason with his brother.<br/><br/>"Are you saying I'm overreacting?" Henry asked angrily.<br/><br/>"No, brother, listen, please," Jonathan stood up, but Henry pushed him away. "You still take me as your cousin. I know you don't even respect me as your elder brother," Henry said, storming out of the room.<br/><br/>Chapter 2: Unsettling Revelations<br/><br/>Jonathan sat down, feeling defeated. He couldn't understand why his brother was making such a big deal out of the will. He turned to his wife, seeking solace.<br/><br/>"I don't understand him, wifey. Why is he making a big deal out of this? Does money mean more to him than family?" Jonathan asked.<br/><br/>"I think you need to be careful, husband. Greed is dangerous. Start making things right before it's too late," Margaret warned.<br/><br/>"What do you mean? Are you saying my brother can harm me or something?" Jonathan asked, looking into her eyes.<br/><br/>"You have to have your own lawyer, sweetheart, and secure our children's future. You never know what may happen. Life is too short, and the unexpected always happens," Margaret said, her voice trembling with concern.<br/><br/>"Don't cry, honey. I understand you. I promise I will do anything I can, okay?" Jonathan reassured her, holding her close.<br/><br/>Chapter 3: The Disappearance<br/><br/>Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months. Jonathan tried to contact Henry, but his phone was unreachable. He couldn't shake off the worry that something was wrong. Margaret noticed his sadness and asked him about it.<br/><br/>"Why are you sad?" Margaret asked.<br/><br/>"I'm just worried. I can't find my brother, and he doesn't answer my calls either," Jonathan replied.<br/><br/>"Don't worry, he's a grown man. He will come back," Margaret comforted him.<br/><br/>After a week, Henry finally returned. Jonathan welcomed him with open arms, relieved that his brother was safe.<br/><br/>"I'm sorry, brother, for my behavior during the will reading. I was just stressed because of my wife. I've been trying to look for her for the past week. I left my phone at home. I'm sorry," Henry apologized.<br/><br/>"I understand, brother, but you scared me. I thought I was going to lose you too. We are all alone now. Please, let's love each other. I can't afford to lose you, my brother," Jonathan said, hugging his brother tightly.<br/><br/>"Stop behaving like kids who just reported for boarding school in the second term," Margaret joked, and they all laughed. She had been down since her parents' death.<br/><br/>Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months. Things went back to normal. Margaret started going back to work, and the kids were growing well. Sometimes, Henry would babysit them, and he grew to love the kids because every time he volunteered to take care of them, there was still no news about his wife. The police searched everywhere, but with no luck. The two brothers hired many investigators, but none of them brought them the news they wanted. Some of them ended up being killed because of the same case, so the brothers were careful.<br/><br/>One day, Jonathan asked Henry if he could handle the kids while they went on a business trip.<br/><br/>"Brother, we are going for a business meeting for three days. Do you think you can handle the kids? Besides, the maids will be here," Jonathan said.<br/><br/>"Why not? You know I can stay with my two cute nieces for as long as I want. You guys can go. I will be with them. But just don't forget their birthdays. That will make them hate you forever," Henry said with a wink.<br/><br/>"Of course, brother. How can we miss our cuties' birthday? And the most important one, they're turning five years old. We can't afford to miss that," Jonathan said, his wife seconding his words.<br/><br/>The day arrived, and the Cheap couple went on their trip. Henry went to the office, and the kids went to school. After school, the two girls eagerly waited for their uncle to come back home. As soon as he arrived, they bombarded him with questions.<br/><br/>"So, what funny games are we going to play, Funny Uncle?" Annamaria asked.<br/><br/>"Let's start by doing what each of you girls loves to do best, and then we can play my games," Henry answered, making the girls love him even more.<br/><br/>"Can we make rainbows first, Uncle?" Annabelle asked.<br/><br/>"Yes, sweetheart, why not? After all, you are the older twin," he said.<br/><br/>"But what about my game, Uncle? Why can't we start by playing parents?" Annamaria asked, feeling a little left out.<br/><br/>"You are the second twin, and you are always going to be second in everything, baby girl. Let's start by playing rainbow drawing, and then we can play parents later," Henry explained.<br/><br/>Annamaria was sad because they did not play parents first, but she still played along. Henry noticed her sadness and decided to have a heart-to-heart conversation with her.<br/><br/>"Can we go and get snacks, Maria? Belle, you can continue coloring, okay?" Henry suggested.<br/><br/>In the kitchen, Annamaria poured out her feelings to her uncle. "Why am I always second? Why is Annabelle always first in everything?"<br/><br/>Henry pulled her into a comforting embrace. "Come here, baby girl. I will always put you first, okay? The thing is, your parents think that Annabelle is more important because she is the firstborn. But they are wrong. You can do better than your sister. From now on, don't let her be first in everything. Be confident in yourself."<br/><br/>"But won't she be sad?" Annamaria innocently asked.<br/><br/>"What about you? Do you want to be sad all the time?" Henry asked, raising an eyebrow.<br/><br/>Annamaria shook her head, indicating a no. "Always put yourself first, and don't tell your parents that it was me who told you to do this, okay? You should be confident," Henry advised the four-year-old.<br/><br/>The bond between the two brothers grew stronger, and the kids flourished under their care. However, there was still no news about Henry's missing wife.<br/><br/>One day, as Jonathan and Margaret returned from their business trip, they were greeted by a somber atmosphere. Henry had a grave expression on his face.<br/><br/>"What's wrong, Henry?" Jonathan asked, concerned.<br/><br/>"I received a call from the police. They found a body, and they believe it's my wife," Henry said, his voice trembling.<br/><br/>Jonathan and Margaret were shocked. They couldn't believe what they were hearing. The room fell into silence as they processed the news.<br/><br/>To be continued...</p>