Page 63 of Exile
I am married to Damon Emerson Alexander Dale.
I do not have any living children.
I appoint Alexander Dale as my personal representative and executor.
In the event of my death, I bequeath the whole of my estate to Alexander Dale.
I, the testator, being of sound mind and legal age, hereby exclude my husband Damon Emerson Alexander Dale from being a beneficiary or receiving any portion of my estate.
This last Will expresses my wishes without undue influence or duress.
The pen makes a scratching sound as I quickly sign, shoving the paperwork toward Alexander. He gleefully motions for two men to come over, the pair of them signing as witnesses next to my name.
"Excellent. Now since that small matter has been taken care of, Avery, the other document."
I close my eyes for a few seconds, unsuccessfully composing myself. I wish I could be as cool and calm as theguys, but I'm not. Alexander is literally holding a gun to my head—well, Damon's now. If I don't sign the Will, he'll kill Damon then me. And if I don't sign the majority shareholder agreement, he'll kill us both anyway. One way or another, he's ensuring he gets his cut. It's just up to me as to who gets the first bullet.
And I choose me.
Damon will find a way to stop him. But I can't. Damon is the key to freedom for everyone at Lilydale. I'm just the girl he fell in love with.
I can't choose my life and our marriage over the patients in good conscience. This isn't just my story. We're all victims. Maybe this is what I'm meant to do. No one was able to save me, but if I go down saving everyone else… That's a life well lived.
The guys have each other. They will stick together. And maybe, just maybe, I can chase the clock and figure out a way to fix this mess before Alexander gets to me.
Right now though… he needs me. We need to use that to our advantage.
If it was easy enough, he'd just shoot me right now in this conference room and use the Will. But he's asking me to sign the majority agreement—which means we have leverage. Somewhere. We just need to find it.
I quickly scribble my signature on the majority shareholder agreement, slumping back in the leather chair. Alexandernods happily at his little victory, looking way too delighted at my distress.
I hope he dies a slow and painful death at the hands of Damon.
"Our counsel will file the paperwork and we'll begin necessary preparations. Now, gentlemen—if you turn to the next items in your agenda, Henry will take us through the fiscal quarter projections."
The ride back to Lilydale was as silent as the first trip.
