Page 103 of Lime Tree Hill

“At the time of his death, Mr. Harrington left the majority of his estate to his only grandson.”

“You mean Mitch?”

“Yes. But there was one last provision that, until now, we couldn’t finalize. Or disclose, for that matter.”

As Tayla stiffened in her seat, Simon continued, “Besides his intention to cover the cost of your education, Norman left you one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Payable on the fifth of this month.”

Simon cleared his throat as Tayla stared at him in disbelief. “What? Why would Norman do that? And why wouldn’t Mitch contest it?”

“His will stated there was to be no contesting by any party. Norman clearly indicated his intent. The signatures on the document include his brother, Kenneth Harrington, and two other members of the legal profession. The last and final condition is as follows.” Simon picked up the will and cleared his throat again. “The inheritance must remain confidential until November fifth in Ms. Whitman’s twenty-seventh year.”

He glanced up. “It seems the education provision was made after the fact and attached to the original will as an adjunct.”

November the fifth, the anniversary of her bike accident. “And Mitch knows about this?”

Simon had a nervous habit of smoothing his tie, but this time, he fiddled with the knot. She wanted to reach over and loosen it for him. “He does, as does your father.”

Tayla sat in shock. Mitch and her father both knew and hadn’t told her. “Seriously? Dad knew?”

“Norman told him before he died. But he was bound by a confidentiality clause, as was Mitch.”

“This doesn’t make any sense.” While Tayla tried to rationalize her thoughts, Simon remained silent. She couldn’t take the money. It belonged to Mitch.

“Mitch is the rightful heir to Norman’s estate,” she finally said. “All I did was be his friend. And while I’m grateful for what I received, you and I both know that money should stay with Mitch. He’s given my family quite enough already.”

“You might say that now, but the original investment is worth substantially more in today’s market. I strongly recommend you take a pause and at least consider it.”

There was that word again.Pause. “And how will Mitch afford to pay me out?”

“Norman set the funds aside months before his death. The money’s been invested in shares and bonds as per his instruction. Under the terms of your prenup, the investment is yours, not Mitch’s. Unless you renegotiate, it will go into the matrimonial property pot after the prenup has run its course. In the meantime, I advise you to seek guidance from your accountant.”

Tayla was lost for words. The prenup had a lifespan of three years. When they signed it, Mitch and Tayla both knew their fake marriage wouldn’t last much beyond Christmas.

“Look, take your time. It’s a lot to absorb.”

Simon and Tayla bandied words back and forth, his responses to her questions guarded and peppered with legal speak until she said, “Can I ask you something, off the record?”

“Sure. I may not be able to answer but go ahead.”

“Is Ella Stone Chris Stone’s wife?”

Tayla noted Simon’s hesitation. For a lawyer, he wore his expressions freely. “Yes. The Stone and Pip Group is their company. They’re big players in horticulture around the district.”

“Of course. I met Chris when he put in an offer to buy my parents’ place.” She paused. Should she say more? “From what I gather, Mitch doesn’t have much time for Mr. Stone.”

“I’d say the feeling’s mutual. The guy’s an interesting character.”

“Why’s that?”

“Maybe you should ask Mitch that question.” Simon stood,signaling the end of their meeting. “Right, I’ll await further instructions.”

Tayla picked up her bag from the floor. “Thank you for your time. I’ll be in touch once I’ve had time to think.”

But as Tayla walked back to her car, thinking was the last thing she wanted to do.

When she’d left Simon’s office, Tayla couldn’t wait to talk to Mitch. But now, she didn’t want to talk to him at all. Quite apart from the revelations about Mitch and Ella, and the phone call to Luka, he’d known about the money before they’d married. So had her father, and probably her mother.

Back at her parents’ place, Tayla called Ruby to no answer. She’d just sat down to a grilled cheese sandwich when Ruby returned her call.

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