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 Camille Elizabeth Lewis, revised and signed six months before her

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

collection of family photographs and my gratitude for the life they

parents. Dad nodded stiffly. Mom's crying grew

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

already taken and altered. A

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

family heirloom that supposedly symbolized

mentioned, the Cedar Hill estate, and the entire balance of

Abused and Abandoned Children, to establish the Camille Lewis Memorial Fund for the education and support of girls in th The silence that followed was absolute. Even

I said, my voice unnaturally

of Camille's estate, after specific bequests, is to

from me. "There must

Ms. Lewis. The will

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

but photographs and... and

withdrew an envelope. "She also left a letter to be read

nodded his permission, his

on the envelope and unfolded the letter

you're hearing this, then I am gone, and you are now learning something I kept from all of

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. Even in presumed death, Camille

"The money gave me

of other people's expectations and manipulations. Freedom to make choices based on my own values rather than seeking approv My gaze flicked

my 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

jaw tightened. Mom resumed her

returned your grandmother's

family legacies should continue with true

"And

I leave my journals with hope rather than malice. In them, you'll find the unfiltered thoughts of someone who spent years trying to understand you, to

me to be

by choice if

illusions that my

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

with my unspoken

strangers. To foster girls who would

I finally said. "She clearly

Martin raised

properly executed with witnesses who

mental competence. The charitable intent

family," I insisted, looking to my parents for support. "Doesn't that

dispose of her property

"We could

suggested, turning to Dad. "Argue

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

But Dad..."

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