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."

will and testament of Camille

fortune she'd hidden, it would surely come to her

leave my collection of

glancing at my parents. Dad nodded stiffly. Mom's crying grew

hopes she may come to understand me better in death than she did

ones I'd already taken and altered. A chill ran down my

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 true devotion." Stefan flinched visibly. The ring had

family heirloom that supposedly

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 Here it was. The thirty million dollars and

Camille Lewis Memorial Fund for the education and support of girls in th The silence that followed was absolute. Even Mom's crying

said, my voice unnaturally high, "but could you

entirety of Camille's estate, after specific

possible." The words burst from me. "There must be some

no mistake, Ms. Lewis. The will is quite clear

"That's thirty million dollars and a prime piece

photographs and... and

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

his permission,

seal on the envelope

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

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. Even in presumed death,

"The money gave me

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 physically ill. Had he known about the money when he signed

from foster c

jaw tightened. Mom resumed

returned your grandmother's

family legacies

"And

rather than malice. In them,

me to be

*Sister by choice if not

harbor no illusions that my modest

but I believe it can transform the futures of dozens of young women who start with nothing. In this

charged with my unspoken

To foster girls who would never appreciate

said. "She clearly wasn't in her

Martin raised

properly executed with

competence. The charitable intent is quite clear

looking to my

had every legal right to dispose of her property as she

"We could

I suggested, turning to Dad.

voice tired. "Rose, enough. Camille made her choice. We will respect

But Dad..."

is dead. I won't dishonor her memory by fighting over money none of us need." Mom reached for his hand. "Richard is right. This is what Camille