“What’s this about, Mom? Why are you bringing this up now?” Liam seemed incredibly annoyed by the turn of events, and Charlotte couldn’t blame him. It seemed like a betrayal of his confidence to reveal it as she had.
“Because like I said, the money is mine now and Roger’s wishes are buried with him. As it turns out, I will be soon as well.”
“What?” Kara gasped. “Mother?”
“Cancer. Stage four. The doctors say I have six months.”
“My god.” Spencer reached for her, but she waved him away.
“Pull yourself together, Spencer.”
Liam glanced at Charlotte before asking, “Was that the big announcement? You have cancer?”
His mother nodded slowly. “I want you all to know what my decision is concerning the money. My money. My business. My decision that will follow my death. Roger has no say anymore. It’s mine.”
Charlie moved closer to Liam, threading her fingers into his. She couldn’t imagine what this must be like for him, learning he’d soon lose his mother after so recently losing his father and having her only focus be money he didn’t even want.
“I’ve decided to split everything between the three of you evenly. Spencer will get the business and all its assets. Kara and Liam, you’ll both get an equivalent amount once the rest of the estate is liquidized.”
“Are you kidding me?” Kara said. “Liam hasn’t been a part of this family for years! He’s never been a part of the business.”
Mrs. Morris held up a hand. “I’d like to change that, Kara. Liam, I want to name you a silent partner. You’ll get the money and won’t have to do a thing. You can spend it all on your little projects.”
“But he’ll just spend it on environmental initiatives that will only make things more difficult for Morrismart!” Spencer protested. Wild-eyed, he tossed back the remainder of his drink.
“He can spend it all on cat toys for all I care.” Mrs. Morris reached into her jacket and pulled out another cigarette, then lit the tip. “All the paperwork has been executed with my lawyers and it’s all airtight, so don’t even think about challenging him over this, you understand? I’ll write you out of the will so fast your head will spin.”
Spencer and Kara glanced at each other, their lips curling with disdain. Liam was motionless.
“Are you okay?” Charlotte whispered.
He didn’t answer, just stared straight ahead.
Mrs. Morris sucked in another lungful of smoke. “All right. That’s it. That’s the big announcement. Now, let’s eat.” She strode toward the hall, leaving them all gawking after her.
“Liam?” Charlie rubbed his back.
He raised a brow and then nodded slowly. “Yeah. Yeah, I’m okay.”
Chapter
Nineteen
Liam shifted uncomfortably, realizing his brother and sister weren’t going to say anything about what just happened. Someone needed to say something. “Mom, stop,”
She stopped and turned on those ridiculous heels of hers. What dying woman wore Louboutins?
“What is it, Liam? Don’t tell me you don’t want the money. I mean it when I say there are no strings attached.”
He shook his head. “Shouldn’t we talk about this? Isn’t there anything we can try? Chemo? Radiation?” Jesus, why wasn’t Spencer or Kara chiming in here?
She sighed. “Have you ever known me not to turn over every stone?”
“No.” Liam crossed his arms and leaned back on his heels.
“So then take my word for it, boy. Now, I don’t want to spend my Christmas talking about cancer or money. Buck up or cry if you have to, and let’s eat. Unless you’d like to share a smoke first?” She lifted her cigarette higher.
He shook his head.
