Page 43 of Stay With Me

Uncle George glares at her but doesn’t say anything as the lawyer clears her throat. “Let’s get started.”

The lawyer, Rose, sits down and pulls out what I’m assuming is dad’s will.

“This is the last will and testament of Eric William Cooper, completed in April of this year.” She flips the page, but Melanie is making sounds like a dog when they have that weird breathing thing.

“Impossible, we had our wills done after our wedding and nothing has changed since then.” Her face is red, and I seriously don’t understand what my father saw in her.

“Yes, and he came in this April and updated it, as he did every year.” She holds up his file, the thickness evidence of her statement. “Let’s proceed.” Melanie is quiet at the lawyer’s stern tone.

The lawyer reads through the division of Dad’s estate. The house, its belongings, and his pension go to Melanie. It’s a substantial pension and she looks so self-satisfied. No widow should look that happy over the division of her husband’s assets. She starts to arrange her things, thinking it’s over.

“To my daughter, Elise Cooper, I leave her mother’s engagement ring, being held in trust by my brother, Uncle George.” The lawyer reads on.

I freeze. For some reason, I thought Mom’s engagement ring was gone. I remember because when Melanie saw a photo of it and declared she wanted the two-carat diamond, he told her it was gone and she didn’t talk to him for a week.

Before Melanie can say anything, Rose reads on.

“’I also leave her the savings in an account I set up for her to be provided at the time of my death, in the sum of five hundred thousand dollars at the time of this will, plus any interest it has gained. I have made a lot of mistakes as a father, allowing myself to distance from you. I know that money can’t fix anything, but I hope you can use this to build the future and life you want.’ I have a letter that he has written to you that he asks you to read when you’re ready.”

Before I can say anything, Melanie erupts, “This is outrageous! He can’t just do that without my knowledge. The money in that account is part of the marital assets.”

Everyone in the room stares at her, perhaps seeing a version of her I only suspected for the first time. My father was well-off when they met, and I had wondered if she was marrying him for his money. We all just got our answer.

“Actually, this account was set up prior to your marriage and opened in trust to Elise Cooper. There is no discourse on whether this is yours or not, the will, as well as the account documentation, are binding,” the lawyer states coolly.

Young Jae holds my hand tightly as Melanie looks at me, pure hatred in her eyes. “You had to go and show up, didn’t you?”

Before I can respond, the lawyer tells her that whether or not I’m here, the will would still stand.

“I would like to conclude the reading of the will. So please, hold your questions until the end.” Rose’s tone is cold as she stares at Melanie.

Her lips clamp down as she seethes in silence while the lawyer concludes with a few other small accounts. It’s apparent Melanie had no idea they existed as her face contorts with each one. My father designates money to a few charities, including the animal shelter in Willowbrook Lake. He wants the donations to be made in the name of his late wife, Anna Cooper. Hearing my mom’s name instead of Melanie’s makes my lips quirk up a little.

“This concludes the reading of the will. If anyone has any ques—”

“I do not agree with this. He was not in his right mind! There must be something I can do.” She glares at me. “The best thing I ever did was push him to cut you out. You stupid little cun—"

Rose cuts her off, her voice hard as she glares at Melanie. “I will not accept any sort of display of animosity or threat. Mr. Cooper was well in his right mind. And you may want to carefully consider what you say in this room. The paperwork to start the transition of assets is at the front. Please see yourself out and return the forms to us as quickly as possible. If you approach myself, my staff, or anyone else pertaining to this will with anything but a calm and respectful attitude, I will see that the division of your assets is drawn out personally.”

Melanie leaves in a huff, and no one else in the room follows her.

Uncle George looks at me, remorse in his eyes. “I wish I had known how she was. I would have tried to knock sense into my brother.”

He pulls a ring box out of his coat pocket, handing it to me.

Opening it, I stare at the ring I’ve only seen in photos.

“I know I’m probably too late, but I would love to reconnect and rebuild a relationship. I’m sorry I haven’t been there.” He stands, his hands gesturing aimlessly as if he doesn’t know what to do with them.

Pushing out of the chair, I give him a hug. “It’s never too late.”

Young Jae gives us some privacy, going to speak to the paralegal and gathering the documents I need to fill out.

After saying goodbye to my uncle, with a promise to visit at Thanksgiving, Young Jae and I head to the car.

As we settle in, he whistles. “Well, that was something else.”

Blowing out air, I shake myself a little. “Never did I expect any of that. Well, maybe Melanie’s behavior.”

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