Page 77 of The Next Wife

CHAPTER 59

TISH

I’m going to pack enough for a long, wonderful, luxurious vacation starting in New York City, then Paris, and ending wherever I want to go. The possibilities are limitless.

I’ve pulled out my two most expensive trunks, Louis Vuitton of all things. When I first bought them, I wouldn’t take them anywhere. I was afraid the luggage handlers would steal them, and everything inside. I knowIwould have, at least back in the day.

John had laughed and told me luggage was supposed to be used and enjoyed. He said that I needed to trust people. That most people are good.

He was so wrong about that.

All the windows are open, the shades drawn. My phone lights up with a text. It’s from Chris, my hunky realtor.Problem. I ran the title info on your home. You don’t own it.

I text back.Yes I do.

Chris responds immediately.No. It’s owned by a trust. The Ashlyn Nelson Family Trust. Do you know who that is?

Fuck. My fingers fly over the keypad.Sell the Telluride condo first. I’ll straighten this out with my lawyer.

Chris texts: Sorry. That’s titled to the Ashlyn Nelson Family Trust, too. So is your Florida property. It’s not your Florida property, actually. None of it is. I’ll come over tonight. We can mess around and make a plan?

I drop my phone on the kitchen counter.

I need George. George was supposed to protect me. The will was supposed to be ironclad. I’m going to kill him.

I text George.Need to talk now. Property not mine. Kate up to something. Help.

I stare at my phone, waiting for a return text.

But like the last time I called him, there is no response.

CHAPTER 60

KATE

I sit in my car parked outside of Tish’s house, waiting for 7:00 p.m.

When my phone buzzes with the alarm I set, I jump.

It’s time.

I scan the agreement I drew up once more. I figure if Tish and her shady attorney could download a will off the internet, I could find an official-looking template of my own. I was right.

I start up the walkway to Tish’s house. Actually, it’s not her house. And I cannot wait to tell her that.

My stomach clenches as I ring the doorbell and knock on the door. I tell myself to relax. This isn’t a boxing match. This is a business meeting. I take a deep breath.

Tish and I will come to an agreement. I have what she needs. Money. This is personal. It requires intimacy, talking face to face. I’m the only one who can do this.

And I will.

CHAPTER 61

ASHLYN

My mom shouldn’t be going there alone. Last night when I was moving out, I left my bedroom window unlocked, just in case I needed to sneak back in for something. The trellis was a handy escape route in high school.

As I make a plan, I think about the last conversation I had with my dad. He told me he’d agreed with mom’s idea to put all of his real estate holdings into a trust, for me. He told me it was what my mom wanted, and that he was glad he could make her happy. It’s weird to know I own Tish’s house. She didn’t believe me when I told her, but I imagine she’ll find out sometime soon.

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