Chapter 2: The Weight of the Will
---
The Funeral
The day of Daniel Grant's funeral arrived, and Max felt the heavy weight of grief settle over him. The day was overcast, as though the sky itself was mourning his brother's death. Max had never been good at dealing with loss. He had always focused on what he could control, and death was one of the few things beyond his reach.
The funeral service was held in an elegant, somber chapel, a place where countless high-profile individuals had paid their respects to loved ones. It was a quiet affair, attended by family, a few close friends, and business associates who, to Max's surprise, still showed up despite the personal nature of the event. He supposed it was the nature of his family's status—public figures always drew a crowd, even in moments like this.
Max stood near the front, his jaw tight, his posture rigid, hands clasped in front of him as he listened to the solemn music playing in the background. He had already paid his respects privately; this was just the formality. But nothing could have prepared him for the moment that followed.
The minister, a tall and weathered man who had known Daniel for years, began the eulogy. His words were kind but vague, speaking of a life cut short and a man whose love for his family was undeniable. Max stood through it all, barely hearing the words as his mind drifted to the past—the conversations he'd had with Daniel, the laughter they'd shared, the times he had been too busy to be there for him.
When the eulogy concluded, the minister turned to the next part of the service: the reading of Daniel's will. Max had assumed this would be a simple affair. He was his brother's only family, after all. There wouldn't be any surprises. But he couldn't have been more wrong.
---
The Unexpected Will
The will was read aloud by a lawyer who had worked with the Grant family for years, a man who had always been nothing but professional, even when he was speaking in hushed tones about family matters. He cleared his throat and began the formalities, listing the assets, the distribution of wealth, and various philanthropic causes Daniel had supported during his life.
Max's mind was barely engaged in the details of the estate—he already knew everything would fall to him. But then, as the lawyer paused and adjusted his glasses, a new line in the will caught Max's attention.
"The children of the late Daniel Grant," the lawyer read, "Emma, Ethan, Ella, and Evan, are to be placed in the care of their guardian, as specified below."
Max's heart skipped a beat. His eyes flickered to the lawyer, but the man continued reading, oblivious to the shift in Max's demeanor.
"I, Daniel Grant, hereby name my brother, Maximillian Grant, as the sole legal guardian of my four children, Emma, Ethan, Ella, and Evan. It is my wish that he raise them in the same way that I would have, with love, discipline, and a firm hand. Max is the only one I trust to carry on the legacy of our family and provide for their well-being."
The words echoed in Max's mind, drowning out the rest of the lawyer's speech. Sole guardian? Of four children? He couldn't—he had never even known Daniel had children, let alone that he was their father. His world suddenly seemed to tilt, as though everything he had understood about his brother—and his own life—had been a lie.
Max's hands clenched at his sides. The room around him blurred, the voices of the other mourners fading into background noise as the full weight of the will settled over him. His mind raced, the implications of this decision washing over him with overwhelming force. Four children, a legacy to raise, a life to guide... How was he supposed to manage all of this when he had never even considered being a parent? Let alone a guardian to children who were not his own?
The lawyer continued, oblivious to Max's internal turmoil. "In the event that Maximillian Grant is unable or unwilling to fulfill his duties as guardian, the children shall be placed with the estate's trustee, who will act in their best interest. However, it is my deepest hope that Max, as their uncle and the only living relative, will honor this responsibility."
Max's mind swirled. It wasn't that he disliked children—he simply never saw them as part of his world. His days were consumed with board meetings, mergers, high-stakes negotiations. His nights were spent at work or at events, his social interactions limited to business. Family was something he did when he could spare the time. But now, with Daniel gone, Max's life had irrevocably changed.
The lawyer finished reading the will and glanced up, clearly expecting some response. But Max was still processing, trying to make sense of the overwhelming news. His mind flickered to the image of the quadruplets, children he had never met, whose existence he had only just learned about.
His emotions, already raw from the shock of Daniel's death, flared to life—anger, disbelief, confusion—flooded his senses. He had always thought Daniel had the freedom to live as he wished, to make his own choices without interference. But this? This was too much.
The lawyer, perhaps sensing Max's distress, began to speak again. "Mr. Grant, if you'd like, we can discuss the guardianship arrangements at your convenience. I understand this is a lot to absorb."
Max looked at him, forcing himself to nod, though his mind was far away, absorbed in the cascade of responsibilities that had just been thrust upon him.
---
The Silent Realization
After the reading of the will, the funeral guests slowly began to filter out, leaving Max standing in the quiet chapel, staring blankly ahead. He had never felt more alone in his life. Daniel was gone, and now, Max had to step into a role he wasn't prepared for. He didn't know the first thing about raising children—let alone quadruplets.
Max stood up, his knees feeling weak as he turned to leave. He could feel the eyes of the others as they gave their condolences, but his mind was somewhere else entirely. Somewhere far from this chapel, far from this life.
He made his way to the car, his thoughts racing, heart pounding in his chest. The will was clear, unambiguous. He had no choice but to accept the responsibility. But the thought of being a guardian to four small children was overwhelming.
---
The First Step
Max's car ride back to the estate was tense, filled with his internal debate and confusion. He needed a plan, some sort of strategy. As the CEO of one of the most successful companies in the country, he prided himself on always having a solution. But this? This was entirely different.
His mind wandered back to the image of his late brother. Daniel had always been the easy-going one, the one who always knew how to lighten the mood and make the best of any situation. And now, Max was supposed to take his place? Be a father figure to his children?
Max's thoughts were interrupted when he arrived at the Grant family estate, the massive house that had once been filled with life and laughter. Now, it felt eerily silent.
Max stepped inside, and for the first time in his life, he felt completely out of his element. This was supposed to be Daniel's domain, his home. Max had never been part of this world. But now, he had to adapt. He had to be more than just the CEO of Grant Industries. He had to be a guardian, a protector, a parent.
As he stood there, surrounded by reminders of Daniel's life, the reality of the situation began to sink in. He wasn't just the brother now. He was everything the quadruplets had left.
---
This chapter would be pivotal in introducing the emotional weight of Max's new reality, establishing his internal conflict and the overwhelming responsibility thrust upon him.