Page 10 of The Liar I Married
“I do and will make the changes to your will. I must caution you not to reveal the specific details of your inheritance before the estate is legally in your hands because it leaves it open to a challenge from your brother. I don’t represent him so need to protect your interests.” He gives me a long, concerned look. “You do realize that any profit you make from the proceeds of your inheritance, including investments, belong to you. If you filterthem into a trust fund for your children, no one can challenge their entitlement.”
I could easily go to John for financial advice, but until I’m sure our marriage is solid, finding someone else outside the family will be crucial. I nod. “Yes, that sounds like a plan. I know you’ve worked for Grandma in this office. Do you have everything here to produce the copies I need to sign? I’d like to get all the legalities finalized if possible.”
“Indeed I do.” He opens his laptop. “I’ll come and get you, when I finalize everything. Just remember, it’s in your best interest not to divulge the terms of the will. Your grandmother was very clear about this.” He hands me a letter. “This is for you. I hope it explains everything.”
I take the letter and open the door. A shadow moves and I hear soft footfalls. Was somebody listening at the door? I hurry along the passageway, in the direction of the library, expecting to see Maria or one of the family but only the murmur of voices comes from the family room. Did I imagine someone was there? With so many things happening at the same time, it’s becoming difficult to cope. It seems I can’t believe my own eyes right now. I slip inside the library, closing the door behind me. It’s a safe place and I can relax here. I sniff the envelope. It smells like my grandmother. A wave of misery washes over me. I miss her and the house is empty without her. I turn on the light above a favorite chair, sit down, and tear open the envelope. My grandmother’s distinctive handwriting blurs as my eyes fill with tears.
My dearest Jessie, if you are reading this, Grandma has left the building. There are things I wanted to tell you but I’ve kept them secret for your protection as well as your mother’s. The truth can destroy lives but you’re strong enough to rise above it. The information I discovered isburied within the walls of Stonebridge Manor. Find it, and you will understand everything. The only piece of advice, I can offer you, is don’t believe what people tell you, not even those closest to you. Grandma.
What truth? I peer around the room. I spent many happy times reading in front of the fire but suddenly the security has vanished. The shadows play tricks with my mind and dark corners seem to whisper secrets I can’t quite hear. If I can’t tell anyone, what can I do? As sure as hell I can’t discover the secrets on my own. Why hadn’t she been more specific? I look around and swallow hard as the walls seem to close in around me. What truth must I know about? Is something terribly wrong in my family? If so, why did Grandma believe I can fix it?
I stuff the letter into my purse and hurry out of the door. I need to speak to Mom, but if the news will hurt her, maybe not. I must tell her the estate is mine now—or will be once probate goes through but that could take a year or so. Dad has run the estate since my grandfather died but if this involves him, he’s off the list as well. No wonder he didn’t come to the reading of the will. Maybe he believed his secret would come out?
I can’t involve John—not yet—but I need to speak to him and tell him about my inheritance. Today it was nice to enjoy the old connection we once had and it was so good to lean on him, even for a while. He’ll be happy for me—won’t he? I check my watch. He’ll be driving back to the office but my call will go through to his phone via the Bluetooth on the Lexus. I make the call.
“Jessie? Is there a problem? I’m ten minutes out from the office.”John sounds annoyed.
I hear a giggle in the background. “Are you alone? What I need to say is confidential concerning what we attended today.”
He says nothing. I hear a grunt as if John is trying hard to stifle someone close by. Then a female voice comes through the line like a dagger straight to my heart.
“This is Rebecca Lawson. I’m John’s attorney. I’m sure anything you need to say, you can say in front of me.”
I slump against the wall as every ounce of fight drains away in a wave of misery. Suddenly, everything fell into place. I’m such a fool to believe it was all over between them. The sparkle in John’s eyes hadn’t been for me; he’d planned on meeting Rebecca or had her holed up somewhere waiting for him. I’m sure my heart is bleeding and the cut is so deep nothing will heal it. I straighten as anger takes over. How dare he treat me like this? I must turn the tables on the self-confident woman and fast. I might be a simple housewife but I know how to play the game. I’ve had plenty of practice since marrying John. I chuckle as if hearing her voice amuses me. “Oh, Ms. Lawson. I remember you. John has mentioned you work for him. I’m afraid this is much too personal to share withyou.” I take a breath and my hands are shaking. “John, are you there?”
“I’m still here, Jessie.”
“We’ll talk later tonight, darling. This exciting news is for your ears only.” I disconnect and lean against the wall, panting.
What is he going to say, when he discovers I’m wealthier than he is? Will he try and control my estate and maybe syphon most of it into his accounts? I don’t exactly trust him right now. What he’ll never know is that his chances of getting his hands on one cent of it, if I’m dead or alive, is zero.
TEN
It’s Michael who finds me in the passageway. His concerned gaze moves over me, and I’m enveloped in one of his bear hugs. It’s as if he can feel my pain. I gently push him away. “You’re crushing my dress.”
“You look like a puppy in a pet store window.” He pushes a strand of hair behind my ear and bends to look directly into my eyes. “What’s happened? Is it John again? I can’t believe he actually came to listen to the reading of the will without Rebecca. Every time I see them at work they are joined at the hip. Although, I did hear mention that they were working on something big.”
I chew on my bottom lip, not sure what to tell him. I have no proof that John is having an affair although everything I’ve discovered points to it and I’m too much of a coward to face him again and demand the truth. I know, I’m just being a doormat and I should hate him—but I don’t. He’s always been the love of my life and this way at least I get to see him, even if it’s for fleeting minutes. I can hope he gets bored with her and comes back to me. You see, admitting my husband is attracted to someone else is like saying I’m not worthy. It’s a terrible feeling. It’s a useless horrible stomach-dropping sensation tolose someone you love so very much to another. To know he only lives in your house because he’s obligated to, is soul destroying. I give my head a little shake. I can’t admit the truth to him. “It’s not that, Michael. I’m a little shocked is all.”
I take a deep breath. Explaining without giving details is going to be difficult and as much as I want to, I can’t explain about Grandma’s letter. What she’d written could be the ramblings of an old lady. For some reason she’d stopped trusting my dad. Maybe she was becoming unbalanced toward the end? I need to tell Michael about the will.I might as well get it over with.“Grandma left the estate to me.” I look at his strange expression. I’m not sure if he’s surprised or devastated. “I’m so sorry, Michael, I thought it would go to you or Mom.”
“I know.” Michael slips his arm around my shoulders and pulls me close. “Grandma called me, six months or so before she had the stroke. She had a bee in her bonnet about some of the investments Dad had made on her behalf. She said she trusted me to look over them and give her an opinion. I honestly couldn’t find anything wrong apart from the fact that Dad had shares in many of the same companies.” He sucks in a breath. “She asked me point blank if I would invest in my client’s portfolios. Of course, I said no, it isn’t something our firm encourages.” He sighs. “Maybe I tipped over a wasp’s nest by saying that because soon after, she told Dad it was time he retired and she wanted someone younger to take over her accounts. She called me in again, and I assumed she wanted me to handle the investments but she’d already engaged another stockbroker.”
I shake my head slowly not understanding what this had to do with the will. “I know Dad retired but what does this have to do with the will?”
“Grandma told me she’d be leaving the estate to you, with me as the spare if anything happened to you before she died.”Michael chuckles. “Trust me, I really don’t want the burden of this place hanging round my neck. It’s a huge responsibility and the taxes are incredible, as you’ll likely discover. I’m more than happy with my share. I’m very good at my job and that will be double by the end of next year.” He gives me a side eye. “You don’t have to worry about Mom either, she is over the moon with her inheritance. Another thing is we’ll get the money right away. Collins has a ton of work to do before the estate is actually transferred into your name. It’s a long process. It will likely take twelve months.” He gives me a squeeze. “So don’t do anything stupid in the meantime. Trust me, I don’t want the responsibility of this place. Although John would be in his element, he could run the investments with one hand tied behind his back and being the part owner of Stonebridge Manor will push him to the top of the social ladder. I’m guessing it will even put a smile on his mother’s face.”
I shake my head. “No doubt. Maybe then he’ll be able to afford a better business lawyer than Rebecca Lawson.” I snort with laughter. “In fact, I’ll insist on it.”
It’s five after ten, and I hear a key in the lock as I sit in the kitchen nursing a cup of coffee as I peruse the stack of paperwork the lawyer gave me. The money the company estate generates over twelve months is mind-blowing. I can’t get my mind around the figures. To think my great, great, grandfather managed to get through the Great Depression and subsequent family members played the dangers of the stock market to this extent and came out on top is beyond my comprehension. I can’t honestly believe why my grandmother left it to me. I have no idea what to do with it.
I glance up as John walks into the kitchen. With not a hair out of place, it’s hard to believe he’s been working at all but I do notice he’s changed his tie. “New tie.”
“You’re very observant.” He loosens the tie and slipped it from around his neck, dangling it between two fingers. “I forgot to wear my tiepin today and it dropped in my coffee. I could hardly speak to a client with half a latte on my silk tie, could I?” He stares at the documents on the table with a frown. “What’s all this?”
I take the first page of the will, listing all my entitlements, and hand it to him. The codicil with the new provisions listed I kept hidden under a pile of documents. “Of course nothing becomes legally mine until the will has passed probate.” I wave to the other pile of documents. “All this is about assets and investments—all the financial stuff, I know nothing about.” I wave the last tax return at him. “I had no idea my grandmother’s estate made so much money.”
“Your father did mention the extent of her portfolio.” John’s eyebrows lift as he scans the tax return. “You do understand he didn’t handle the portfolio alone? He managed the direct finances of the estate but he engaged a brokerage firm for all this. No one person could possibly be responsible for Stonebridge Manor’s assets.” He shrugs. “They were doing so well. I don’t understand why your grandmother insisted the estate be handled by another firm. From these figures your father had placed everything in secure hands.” He picks up a document. “They’re in the hands of Legacy Securities. It’s a big firm. I’ll look over the portfolio and see how they’re doing but it’s up to you if you want me to handle them? It would mean even more money in our pockets, I’d earn commission.” He gave her a slow smile. “Bringing an account this size to the firm would push me right to the top.”
