The finality hit me when I turned to leave.
Dad was truly gone. I tightened my grip on the box as if holding onto it could somehow keep him with me. When I reached my car, silent tears were slipping down my cheeks.
I sat in the car and cried until my tears ran out. My phone beeped and rang several times, but it was just Matt. He was probably worried about me, but some grief you have to wade through alone.
The last thing I expected to find when I arrived home was my whole life strewn across the front lawn like some kind of unholy estate sale.
The wind picked up, scattering the memories I’d so carefully packed into boxes and hauled down from the attic.
Mom’s old recipes, her china, the worn plaid quilt Dad used to nap under, and all his books — it all lay out in the open, unprotected, as if they meant nothing. I stumbled out of my car, heart pounding.
“What in God’s name…” I muttered, my voice swallowed by the wind.
“Oh, good. You’re finally back. I was getting tired of waiting.”
There, perched on my patio furniture with her designer sunglasses and her too-bright lipstick, was Jessica. My daughter-in-law didn’t even glance up from her phone. She took a leisurely sip from her coffee, and her lips curved in a barely restrained smirk.
“Jessica… What is all this?” My eyes swept over the chaos, disbelief clamping down on my chest. “What are you doing?”
She glanced up, lowering her sunglasses just enough for me to see the disdain in her eyes. She waved a manicured hand dismissively.
“I’m doing what’s necessary. This is my home now, after all.”
A cold knot twisted in my stomach. “Your home? What are you talking about?”
“Looks like you should’ve attended the will reading.” Jessica held up a crisp piece of paper, and there was my father’s signature, clear as day, at the bottom. “Guess your dad knew who deserved it most, huh?”
I swayed, gripping the car door for support. “That’s impossible. Dad would never—”
“Oh, but he did.” She smirked, casually inspecting her perfect manicure.
“Signed, sealed, delivered. The house is mine now.” She leaned in close, her perfume, a cloying, artificial scent, invading my space. “I think it’s time you moved on, Hattie.”
A truck rumbled into the driveway, and my son, Matt, climbed out, his face twisting as he took in the scene. His boots crunched over the gravel as he approached, confusion deepening the crease between his brows.
“What the heck, Jess? First you run out of the lawyer’s office, and now you send me this weird text? What’s going on?” he asked, glancing from me to Jessica, his jaw tight.
She stretched, standing at last, looking smug and at ease in her towering heels. It made my skin crawl. “Like I said, I’m making some necessary changes, honey. And actually, there’s more you should know.”
Matt’s expression hardened with a flash of something I hadn’t seen before. “More than you throwing my mother’s belongings all over the yard?”
“Much more!” Jessica’s laugh was harsh. “I want a divorce.”
The word hung in the air like the final nail in a coffin. Matt’s mouth opened, then closed as he struggled to process. “What? You can’t be serious.”
“Oh, I am.” Her voice was dripping with disdain. “I’ve spent enough years suffocating in this house, being made to feel like I don’t fit in, like I’m not good enough!” She gestured at the house with a sweep of her arm. “I need a fresh start.”
“You have no right—” I started, but she cut me off with a scornful wave.
“Oh, save it, Hattie. You never wanted me in this family. You looked down on me right from the start, judging me just because I didn’t grow up with a silver spoon. Well, now I’m finally getting what I deserve out of you people.”
Matt’s face shifted from bewilderment to anger, his fists clenched. “Everything my family said about you is true,” he said, voice low and trembling. “You really are a covetous witch.”
Jessica’s veneer cracked.
“And you’re a spineless mama’s boy!” she snapped. “Always running to her defense, always putting her first.” She sneered, pointing a perfectly manicured finger at him. “It’s pathetic. You’re just as small-minded as she is.”
“Don’t you dare talk about my son that way!” My voice cut through the silence, sharper than I’d intended.
“I’ll do whatever I want, Hattie.” Jessica set her hands on her hips, her expression smug. “And there’s nothing either of you can do about it.”
“In fact,” Jessica continued. “The two of you had best hurry and clear your stuff off MY lawn, before I call the cops and have them arrest you both.”
“Are you out of your mind?” Matt yelled.
I numbly looked on as Matt confronted Jessica. None of this made sense! Dad hadn’t even liked Jessica! My hands shook as I pulled out my phone and quickly dialed Dad’s lawyer.
His voice was a balm, calm and reassuring. “Hattie? I was just about to call you.”
“… really believed I liked you?” Jessica yelled in the background. “You were just a means to an end, a way for me to leave my old neighborhood behind. Now I have the house, I don’t need you anymore!”
“Please,” I whispered to the lawyer. “Tell me she’s lying. There’s no way Dad left his home to Jessica.”
There was a pause, then a warm chuckle.
“You’re right. Your father didn’t leave her the house. It was all a test to get her to show her true colors.”
“A…test?” Relief rushed through me, and I started laughing, tears gathering in my eyes. It was the kind of laugh that came from somewhere deep, a laugh that surprised even me.
Jessica’s face twisted, her confidence faltering. “What are you laughing at?”
“Oh, Jessica,” I managed, still shaking. “You really should have waited for the real will reading.”
“What?”
I let the satisfaction roll through me as I explained. “Dad never left you the house. It was fake — a test to get you to show your true character.”
Matt turned to Jessica, his face a storm of emotions. “Looks like Grandpa’s plan worked.”
Jessica’s eyes widened. She glanced between Matt and me as the realization of what she’d done sunk in. Her confident facade crumbled, her voice turning desperate as she scrambled to save face.
“Matt — baby, please.” She reached out, but he recoiled, the finality in his eyes unmistakable.
“I swear, I never meant it!” She pleaded. “I was just…upset, frustrated. You know I love you!”
He shook his head. “Save it. You want a divorce? You’ve got one.”
As Jessica stomped off the property, her heels sinking with each step, I felt an odd peace settle over me. Dad’s wisdom lived on, a quiet, guiding presence.
Matt and I gathered the remnants of my life from the grass, and I couldn’t help thinking that sometimes the real inheritance isn’t in a house — it’s in the lessons of who truly deserves to be in your life.
Dad would have been proud.
Tom Brady’s Son Jack, 17, Steals the Spotlight with His Stunning Looks – Is He America’s Next Top Model
Photos of Tom Brady’s son with actress Bridget Moynahan have caused a debate online. People are discussing whether Jack looks more like his mother, his father, or his stepmother as he grows older.
Tom Brady recently went out in public with his two sons, John Edward Thomas “Jack” Moynahan and Benjamin Rein, and it got social media users talking.
The former NFL star posted a casual photo on Instagram, where he is standing with his arms around his sons. In the picture, both Tom and Jack are wearing white T-shirts, while Benjamin is in black.
The strong bond between them is clear. Tom captioned the post, “The gang does @taylorswift. I think I learned I’m a Reputation guy ,” referring to Taylor Swift’s album *Reputation*.
Tom Brady’s latest Instagram post not only showed their family time but also put the spotlight on Jack, whose appearance caught the attention of many online.
One user commented, “Jack is a handsome young man, looks like his mother,” referring to Jack’s mom, actress Bridget Moynahan. Another called him “America’s next top model.” Some said Jack resembles his stepmother, Gisele Bündchen, with one person writing, “Can’t help but think the older boy looks like Gisele.”
Jack’s height also got attention, with someone saying, “He’s taller than you!” Another joked, “I think Jack passed you! Ha ha.”
Fans also commented on the family’s looks, with one writing, “The jawlines are no joke!” and another saying, “Lock Jack up! He’s one of the most beautiful people in the world… What a blessing.”
Even Tom received compliments. One fan wrote, “Sons are so handsome, dad’s not bad either.” Actor Donnie Wahlberg also chimed in, calling Jack the “coolest kid ever.”
In August, Tom celebrated Jack’s 17th birthday with a post featuring photos of Jack, Benjamin, and their sister Vivian. In the post, Tom praised Jack, saying, “You are a blessing in my life, and I’m so grateful to watch you grow into a young man.” He highlighted Jack’s love for family, sports, and his hard work.
Tom also playfully mentioned that Jack now beats him in basketball. Being part of a family with ties to sports and modeling, Jack has many options for his future, and Tom supports him fully.
In a 2023 interview, Tom shared that while Jack played football last year, he prefers basketball and lacrosse, with basketball being his favorite. Tom said he would be happy with whatever Jack chooses and praised his academic success, calling him a “very good student.”
Tom has mentioned that Jack lives in New York City and continues to impress him with his dedication. The proud father is amazed by who Jack is becoming.
Gisele Bündchen, Tom’s ex-wife, has also spoken about her relationship with Jack. In a 2015 interview, she shared how she learned Bridget was pregnant with Jack while she and Tom were dating, which was difficult at first. But over time, her love for her stepson grew, and she now calls him a “sweet bonus child.”
Despite their 2022 divorce, Tom and Gisele continue to co-parent their kids. Tom recently shared his thoughts on fatherhood, saying he wouldn’t pressure his kids to follow in his footsteps in football, but he will support them in whatever they choose.
In an interview last year, Tom acknowledged that his kids face unique challenges because of who their parents are. He expressed his hope that they find their own passions and build strong connections as they grow.
As Jack Moynahan grows up in the public eye, whether he follows his famous parents’ paths or chooses his own, his future will be closely watched.
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