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."

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

Whatever secret fortune she'd hidden, it would surely come to her family now. To me, her

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

my parents. Dad nodded stiffly.

hopes she

The ones I'd already taken and

engagement ring that belonged to his grandmother, with the hope that next time he gives it, it will be with honesty and true devotion."

of pride, a family heirloom

remainder of 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 Here it was.

for Abused and Abandoned Children, to establish the Camille Lewis Memorial Fund for the education and support of girls in th

I said, my voice unnaturally high, "but

specific bequests, is to

from me. "There

will is quite

dollars and a prime piece of real

but photographs and... and

also left a letter to be read

nodded his permission, his expression

the seal on the envelope and unfolded

you are now learning something I kept from all of

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 from

"The money gave me

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

was fortunate enough to have. The Lighthouse Foundation specifically assists young women transitioning from foster c my parents, thank you for the security

jaw tightened. Mom

returned your

because family legacies

"And

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

me to be

my face. *Sister by choice if not by

that my modest fortune

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

silence felt charged with

foster girls who would never appreciate it

finally said. "She clearly wasn't

Martin raised

properly executed with

charitable intent

looking to my parents

to dispose of her property as she wished,"

"We could

I suggested, turning to Dad. "Argue undue influence or

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

But Dad..."

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