Three Days After the Will
Chapter 01 - Three Days After the Will
Three days after Eleanor Sterling left her entire estate to Ava Sterling, her brother pushed her from the second-floor balcony during his birthday party.
The afternoon had begun under blue skies.
Guests filled the rear terrace of Ashcroft House, carrying champagne glasses between white tables decorated with red roses. A jazz trio played near the pool. Tyler Sterling stood on the upper deck in a navy shirt, accepting congratulations for turning thirty-five.
Ava wore a pale silver dress and had spent most of the party avoiding him.
The will had been read on Tuesday.
Eleanor left Ashcroft House, Sterling Medical Properties, and the controlling interest in the family foundation to Ava. Tyler received a protected annual income and nothing he could sell.
He had not spoken to Ava privately until the cake arrived.
“Come upstairs,” he said. “Grandma left a letter for both of us.”
There was no letter.
On the deck, Tyler closed the glass door behind them.
“You will sign the family transfer.”
Ava looked at the document he held.
It stated that she voluntarily divided the inheritance equally.
“I already said no.”
“She poisoned you against me.”
“Grandma audited the foundation.”
Tyler’s face changed.
“You do not know what you saw.”
“I saw payments to companies you own.”
Music drifted up from the lawn.
Tyler moved between Ava and the door.
“You were always her favorite.”
“I was the person who answered her calls.”
“She made one emotional decision while dying, and now you think you own everything.”
Ava stepped toward the door.
Tyler caught her arm.
“Sign.”
“Let go.”
She pulled free.
He shoved her with both hands.
The wooden railing struck the back of Ava’s legs. For one suspended second, she saw Tyler’s face above her—anger already turning into fear.
Then she fell.
She struck the stone terrace below and did not move.
Guests screamed.
A champagne tray crashed.
Two police vehicles entered the circular drive before anyone called emergency services.
Officers ran toward Ava while others looked upward.
Tyler remained on the balcony with both hands raised.
“How are they already here?” he shouted.
A red light blinked beneath the balcony rail.
Inside Ava’s grandmother’s house, every security screen activated at once.
May you like
Eleanor Sterling’s recorded voice filled the estate.
“If Ava is harmed within thirty days of my death, open the second will.”
