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."

his portfolio. "This is the last will and testament

would surely come

my collection of family photographs and my gratitude

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

hopes she

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

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 been

pride, a family heirloom

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

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

unnaturally

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

from

will

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

photographs and...

a letter to

nodded his permission, his

seal on the envelope and unfolded the letter

he read. "If you're hearing this, then I am gone, and you are now learning something I kept from

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, Camille

"The money gave me

make choices based on my own values

inheritance to help girls who lack the family support structure I was fortunate enough to have. The Lighthouse Foundation specifically assists young women transitioning from foster c my parents, thank you for the security and opportunities

Mom resumed her quiet

your

because family legacies should continue with

"And

sister by choice if not by blood, I leave my journals with hope rather than malice. In

me to be

face. *Sister by choice if not by blood.* A pointed

harbor no illusions that my modest fortune

of my already privileged family, but I believe it can transform the futures of dozens of young women who start with nothing.

silence felt charged with my unspoken

strangers. To foster girls who would

be legal," I finally said.

Martin raised

"The will was properly executed with

charitable intent

her family," I insisted, looking to my parents for

every legal right to dispose of her property as she

"We could

suggested, turning to Dad. "Argue undue

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

But Dad..."

said enough. My daughter 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