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."

document from his portfolio. "This is the last will and testament of Camille Elizabeth Lewis, revised and signed six months before

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

and Margaret Lewis, I leave my collection of family

paused, glancing at my parents. Dad nodded

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

already taken and altered. A chill

grandmother, with the hope that next time he gives it, it will be with honesty and true devotion." Stefan flinched visibly. The ring had

heirloom that supposedly symbolized his

Cedar Hill estate, and the entire balance of the trust established by my gra Here it was. The thirty million dollars and luxury

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

voice unnaturally high, "but could you repeat

specific bequests, is to be donated to the

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

mistake, Ms. Lewis. The will is quite clear and

dollars and a prime piece of real estate. Going to complete strangers. While her family

photographs and...

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

permission,

seal on the envelope and unfolded the

gone, and you are now learning something I kept from all of you,

mostly because I needed to understand its power without influence from others."" I dug my fingernails into my palmus. Even in presumed death, Camille was

"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 gaze flicked to Stefan, who looked physically ill. Had he known about the money when he signed

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 you provided. This decision

Mom resumed her quiet

I've returned your grandmother's ring not

but because family legacies should continue with

"And

if not by blood, I leave my journals with hope rather than malice. In them, you'll find the

me to be

*Sister by choice if not by blood.* A

that

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 might create meaning bey Martin folded the

felt charged with my unspoken

To strangers. To foster girls who would never

legal," I finally said. "She

Martin raised

"The will was properly executed with

charitable intent is quite clear and legally

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

every legal right to dispose of her property as

"We could

I suggested, turning to Dad.

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

But Dad..."

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 wanted. Perhaps it will