Page 25 of Four-ever Single

And while I have some terms and conditions you might not understand, I hope you can trust me. I would never do anything to hurt you, but I also know how you withdraw into yourself and refuse to let others in. I understand how much your parents hurt you, but please remember that I have always been in your corner, Bella, and want nothing but your happiness.

With that said, I have finalized the trust, and everything is yours. The money in the accounts, the stocks and bonds, all of my jewelry, the house in Beaumont Creek, the boat—everything is yours, Bella.

But there is one condition—and I know you’re not going to like it.”

Bella sat taller and held her breath as her grandmother paused again. I wanted to reach over and squeeze her hand, assure her that I was there for her, but I didn’t want to be out of line.

“In order to claim it, you must be married by your twenty-fifth birthday. In addition, you cannot annul or terminate the marriage for at least six months. While I would love to add that you must produce a great-grandchild as well, I won’t do that since I won’t be here to see it. But don’t worry, I’ll be smiling and looking down from heaven as you hold your sweet little girl in your arms on my birthday.

I know this is all probably a big shock, and you’re questioning everything you just heard. I wish I could be there to sit down and talk with you, but unfortunately, I can’t. But please, sweet Bella, trust me. Trust that I would never do you wrong and have my reasons for asking this of you.

Burt will be in touch with you after I’ve passed, but please don’t fight him on this. I love you, my Bella.”

She blew a kiss, and then the screen went black as the video stopped. Burt pressed a few buttons and then turned the monitor back to face him as he gave Bella a few minutes to process everything.

“Are you okay?” I whispered, desperately needing to know.

She looked up at me with unshed tears but didn’t say anything. I could see the fear and worry racing through her mind.

“I thought it would be best to hear everything from her,” Burt said, clearing his throat before he began speaking again. “We’ll go over the details again with the paperwork, but do you have any questions I can answer right now?”

Bella rubbed her lips together and folded her hands in her lap as she tried to gather herself.

“What happens if I don’t get married before I’m 25?”

“You won’t be able to take over as successor trustee and will not receive any assets.”

“Who would get everything then?”

“That’s hard to say. In this case, since there aren’t any co-trustees and you were the sole trustee listed, any interested party could take it to court and petition to appoint a new trustee.”

Bella’s jaw tightened as she listened.

“I’m assuming you’ve been in touch with other family members already?” Bella asked quietly.

“Yes. I’ve been in touch with your parents as well as a few others.”

“Have any of them asked about taking this to court?” she pressed.

Burt shifted uncomfortably in his chair and adjusted his tie. Bella nodded and looked at me.

“My cousin Todd has been after my grandparents’ estate from the moment my grandfather passed away,” she explained to me. “Shortly after he died, Todd tried to swindle his way into my grandmother’s life and insisted on moving in so he could take care of her. It was just one way he attempted to manipulate her into giving him something. He thought if he could implant himself at the house, he would be entitled to the house when she died. My grandmother saw right through it and ended up having to get a restraining order to keep him away.”

“Margaret knew he would come forward once he heard of her passing,” Burt explained. “It’s why we did everything we could to make the trust secure so things would go to you and Todd wouldn’t have a way to try to claim anything.”

“But I have to get married in the next three weeks,” Bella confirmed with a heavy sigh, glancing at me nervously.

“Yes.”

“Can’t someone petition that as well?” Bella asked, leaning forward to rest her hands on the desk. “Or do I just get married and everything is perfectly fine and no problems from anyone?”

I could hear the way her voice rose an octave at the end. She was freaking out—and rightfully so. I would be, too if I just found out I was expected to get married in less than a month.

“They can,” Burt said sternly. “Anyone can come forward and question the legitimacy of the marriage.”

“And then what happens?”

“It would go to court.”

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