28 The Will

Meena Kincaid stood crestfallen at the burial ground to bury her recently deceased husband. Her adopted son Zyair was by her side like a supportive pillar. Though he didn't like touching people, especially women, today he held his mother because she needed him.

By the time she had arrived at the hospital the other day, her husband had succumbed to his injuries. Her son had been the one to gather her broken self.

Clad in all-black, both of them received all the guests with patience and went through all the rituals. Montague's family had arrived as well. Prominent among them was Mithias Kincaid; Montague's younger brother.

At the age of 58 his once midnight black hair were fast turning grey, but the grace he carried himself with never wavered.

Both brothers had never seen eye to eye. The rivalry between them had always kept them at bay but he was here now to pay his respects to his elder brother.

The real purpose was the 'Will of Montague Kincaid' which was to be read after his funeral.

Mithias was sure that some property and business would be left to him. He was his brother after all, what did it matter if Mithias was a hungry hyena?

But the presence of this masked man whom everyone kept calling Montague's adopted son irked Mithias. He watched with a hard expression as Zyair helped in lowering his adopted father in the ground.

Zyair never knew his biological father and his biological mother never cared. Montague not only filled that role perfectly, but he was also Zyair's mentor and confidant. Someone Zyair had begun to trust. That was wretched away from him, leaving a gaping hole inside his chest to be never filled.

Zyair blinked away the tears as he placed black roses on his father's grave and helped his mother in doing the same.

"You left us too soon," Meena whimpered to her husband's spirit.

Montague had been her companion for 40 years. They had spent an eternity together, loving and cherishing each other. Even when he learned that Meena couldn't have children, he never abandoned her. Never sought another woman or cheated on her. His family pressured him into divorcing her and getting a wife who could give him an heir. He never yielded to the whims of his family.

Their love was pure, unadulterated and spoke of the respect both held for each other.

She dabbed her eyes with her handkerchief while Zyair held her by the small of her back, letting her grieve for her husband.

The crowd began to thin out when Mithias walked up to them. Zyair gave him a scrutinising rundown. The vibes from this man were off.

Adorning a crisp black three-piece that screamed rich. An Italian custom fit, rich. The fabric of his clothes smoothly clung to his body without bunching in any place. Wearing black Ray-Ban which he casually took off as he addressed his sister-in-law.

"My condolences, Meena. Brother dear had a good life though. I am sure you are proud of him," he spoke like a drone, his voice had that grating edge to it.

"Thank you, Mithias. And yes, he was my Superman even when the world stood against me," Meena remembered how the whole family was against her and Montague's relationship. Their scheming led to him cutting all of them off and she understood why Mithias was here now.

"That he was," Mithias's eyes wavered towards the man holding her so tenderly and he wondered what his deal was. He had made no effort to introduce himself but his sharp gaze had not left the elderly man's face.

"The Will is going to be read at our mansion. You can join us there," Meena spoke firmly, wiping away the last of her tears and Mithias affirmed with the slight gesture of his head.

"Mom! Let's go," the man with the black mask led her away, leaving Mithias wondering.

***

At Kincaid Mansion everyone who had been mentioned in the Will was gathered by Montague's lawyer. Unsurprisingly enough it was only three people.

Zyair

Meena

Mithias

All of them were seated in the spacious study of Meena Mansion. Montague had built this place for his beloved wife and had named it after her too.

Zyair sat stiffly. If he could trade all this wealth to get his father back, he would. The elderly lawyer stood up and addressed the people in the room.

"Before we begin, I would like to inform the three of you that this is a sealed Will and I will be opening it in front of you. It has been written, signed and sealed by the deceased Mr. Montague."

Everyone affirmed and he tore open the seal and took out the signed parchment as he began to read.

Last Will and Testament of Mr. Montague Kincaid.

I, Montague Kincaid being of sound mind and body, do hereby declare this to be my Last Will and Testament, revoking all prior wills.

To my lovely wife and love of my life; Meena, I leave this mansion and the boutique on Herlm Street, with the hope that it will provide her comfort and security.

To my devoted adopted son, Zyair, I leave all my business interests, including Kincaid International and all other companies associated with it. I declare him the CEO of Kincaid International and fully trust that he will continue to nurture and expand the business and take it to new heights.

Lastly, I bequeath the sum of $50,000 to my dear brother, Mithias, as a token of my appreciation for the bond we shared.

I appoint Mr Arman as the executor of this will and declare under penalty of perjury that this is my Last Will.

A stunned silence followed the reading of the Will. Zyair was thunderstruck, Meena was overly satisfied while Mithias fumed and sprung from his comfortable position.

"Is this a joke? How can brother leave everything to a total stranger and overlook his blood? This seems like a forged will. I bet he has something to do with it," he accusingly pointed his finger at Zyair who uninterestedly watched him in return.

"Keep your voice down in my home, Mithias. And that's not a stranger, that's our son. Montague made the right choices for Zyair is twice the man you will ever be," Meena fiercely stated. Not liking the accusation of her brother-in-law.

Mithias fumed at them some more but knew he wouldn't be able to do much right now. But he had no plans of letting this go.

"We will see. Send my money to my bank account," he condescendingly told the lawyer and throwing a last hateful glance at the duo, he exited the study.