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."

a document from his portfolio. "This is the last will and testament of

she'd hidden, it would surely

and Margaret Lewis, I leave my collection of family photographs and my

my parents. Dad nodded

leave my journal collection, in hopes she may come to

journals. The ones I'd already taken and altered. A chill

his grandmother, with the hope that next

of pride, a family heirloom

my estate, including all financial assets, investment accounts, personal property not specifically mentioned, the Cedar Hill estate, and the entire balance of the trust established by my gra

the Lighthouse Foundation for Abused and Abandoned Children, to establish the Camille Lewis Memorial Fund for the education and

my voice unnaturally high, "but

after specific bequests, is to be donated to the

from me. "There

will is quite

prime piece of real estate. Going to complete strangers. While her

but photographs and...

withdrew an envelope. "She also left a letter to be read at this time,

his permission, his expression

seal on the envelope and

you are now learning something I kept from all of you, that Grandfather left me a substantial inheritance when I

share this 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

"The money gave me

expected 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 approv My gaze flicked to Stefan, who looked

assists young women transitioning from foster

Mom resumed her quiet

I've returned your grandmother's ring

because family legacies should continue

"And

leave my journals with hope rather than malice. In them, you'll

me to be

drained from my face. *Sister by choice if not by blood.* A pointed reminder of my

harbor no illusions that my modest fortune

family, but I believe it can transform the futures of dozens of young women who start with

with my unspoken rage. Thirty

girls who would

be legal," I finally said. "She clearly wasn't in her

Martin raised

eyebrow. "The will was properly executed

intent

insisted, looking to my parents

of her

"We could

suggested, turning to Dad. "Argue

enough. Camille made her

But Dad..."

none of us need." Mom reached for his hand. "Richard is right. This is what