SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 24

ROSE'S POINT OF VIEW

The law office of Berkman, Wade, and Associates smelled of leather, money, and superiority. I adjusted my black dress and studied the others in the conference room. Mom dabbed at her eyes with a monogran All of us performing our assigned roles. The grieving family. The heartbroken ex-

husband. A perfect tableau of loss.

And why wouldn't we? Camille was dead. I knew that for certain. The men I'd hired hadn't just scared her as originally planned, they'd gone further, forcing her car off that bridge, watching it sink into the dark wa Martin Greene entered, carrying a leather portfolio. Dad's longtime lawyer looked appropriately grave as he took a Scal

"Thank you all for coming." he said. "With the court having legally declared Camille deceased in absentia, we can now proceed with her last will and testament."

"Is this really necessary?" Mom asked, voice wavering. "It's only been six months.”

"In cases of drowning where no body is

recovered, the court can grant a death certificate after reasonable search efforts have concluded," Martin explained.

"As Camille had significant independent assets that require disposition, the judge approved the declaration last week."

I kept my expression neutral, though my mind raced. Independent assets? What independent assets?

“།

wasn't aware my sister had estate planning," I said, injecting just the right note of confusion.

twenty-fifths

Martin opened his portfolio. "Camille updated her will last year, shortly after her As you may recall, that was when she received her inheritance from her grandfather."

My blood froze. Grandfather Lewis. Dad's father. The crusty old man who had doted on Camille, his only biological grandchild, while largely ignoring me.

"What inheritance?" I asked

sharply, then immediately softened my tone. "I mean, she never mentioned receiving anything substantial,"

Dad finally looked up. "My father left Camille a portion of his estate when she

turned twenty-five. It was private, between them."

"How large a portion?" The question escaped before I could temper it.

Martin cleared his throat. “Mr. Lewis Senior established a trust for Camille valued at approximately thirty million dollars, along with the Cedar Hill estate."

The room spun around me. Thirty million dollars. Plus a mansion on twenty acres of prime land. And she had never said a word.

"That's impossible," I whispered "I would have known."

"Camille wanted it kept quiet," Dad said. "She said money changes

how people see you."

document from his portfolio. "This is the last will and testament of Camille Elizabeth Lewis, revised and signed six months before her

would surely come to her

Lewis, I leave my collection of family photographs and my gratitude for

glancing at my parents. Dad nodded stiffly.

journal collection, in hopes she may come to understand me better in death

I'd already taken and

husband, Stefan Rodriguez, I return the engagement ring that belonged to his grandmother, with the hope that next time he gives it, it will be with honesty and

of pride, a family heirloom that supposedly symbolized

Hill estate, and the entire balance of the trust established by my gra Here it was. The thirty million dollars and luxury estate that would surely be distributed

said assets shall be donated to the Lighthouse Foundation for Abused and Abandoned Children, to establish the Camille Lewis Memorial Fund for the education and support

I said, my voice unnaturally high, "but

glanced up. "The entirety of Camille's estate, after specific bequests, is to be donated to

burst from me. "There must be some

will

to maintain composure. "That's thirty million dollars and a prime

photographs and...

withdrew an envelope. "She also left a letter to

his permission, his expression

broke the seal on the envelope and unfolded the

then I am gone, and you are now learning something I kept from all of you, that Grandfather left me a

information, partly because I was still deciding how best to use such an unexpected blessing, but mostly because I needed to understand its power without influence from others."" I dug my fingernails into my palmus.

"The money gave me

to have. Frodom to consider who I really was outside of other people's expectations and manipulations. Freedom to make choices based on my own values rather than seeking

lack the family support structure I was fortunate enough to have. The Lighthouse Foundation specifically assists young women transitioning from foster

Mom resumed her

I've returned your grandmother's ring not

family legacies should continue

"And

Rose, my sister by choice if not by blood, I leave my journals with hope rather than malice. In them, you'll find the unfiltered thoughts of someone

me to be

if not by blood.* A pointed reminder

no illusions that my

can transform the futures of dozens of young women who start with nothing. In this way, perhaps my departure might create meaning bey

felt charged with my

foster girls who would never

I finally said. "She clearly wasn't in

Martin raised

"The will was properly executed

The charitable intent is quite clear

we're her family," I insisted, looking to my parents

had every legal right to dispose of her property as she wished," Martin

"We could

suggested, turning to Dad. "Argue undue influence or

spoke, his voice tired. "Rose, enough. Camille made her choice. We

But Dad..."

us need." Mom reached