Xeni’s jaw clenched as she tried to process Bess’s calm aura. She didn’t know the woman well, but Xeni could read people better than most. Bess wasn’t lying, but someone in this room or in her life was. She closed her eyes for a long moment, then let out a deep breath. “Please. Go ahead.”
“Um, there’s more in the form of stocks, investment properties. We can go over those a little later,” Ms. Jordan said. “After we discuss the conditions.”
“Oh my god,” Xeni groaned quietly. “What now? What conditions?”
Ms. Jordan sat back a bit, turning her attention to Mr. Barber. He stood and handed Xeni and Mason each an envelope. Xeni’s name was written on the front, but Mr. Barber kept going before she could open it.
“In order for either of you to claim any of this, Ms. Everly asked that you two be married. To each other.”
“Bloody hell,” Mason said as he slammed the back of his head into the door jamb.
“Is this some kind of joke? What does the letter say?”
“Your aunt only agreed to release the estate if you and Mr. McInroy agreed to marry each other. The marriage must be legal and last no less than thirty days. She explains why in the letters. Why don’t we give you two a moment.”
Xeni was too fucked up to respond. Her aunt was leaving her more money than she could comprehend and all she had to do was marry some dude she’d never met. Was that even legal? She couldn’t begin to wrap her mind around the other shit. There was no way Sable was her mother. It just didn’t make sense.
As Bess stood to leave, Xeni tore open the envelope. Sure enough, there was a letter inside. She recognized her aunt’s handwriting from the dozens of birthday and holiday cards and notes she’d sent over the years.
My Dearest Xendria, If you’re reading this I know you have spoken to Mr. Barber and you’ve been given your fair share of shocking news. I know you, so I’ll stick to the facts. You are mine. My sisters made the decision that I wouldn’t be the one to raise you and through the years they forbid me from telling you who you really belong to. Now that I’m gone, there’s nothing stopping me from telling you the truth. You are my daughter. I carried you. I gave birth to you. I gave you your name.
You’re probably wondering why I’m making it so difficult to claim what’s rightfully yours as my daughter and my only child. I know you’ve closed yourself off to love. Don’t try to deny it. I didn’t forget the conversations we had or any of the things you told me. From the moment I met Mason, I knew there was something different about him. He’s one of the good ones, Xeni. Marry him and you’ll see.
You’ll have more questions than I can answer, but I want you to know without any doubt that I have always loved you like you were my own, because you are. As for the rest, ask my sisters. They know the truth and they have been the ones who’ve kept it from you for all of these years. I love you and my only regret in life was not fighting harder for you. Take my last bit of advice. Take the blessings that have been laid out in front of you and give Mason a chance. You deserve the amount of love he’s carrying around in that kind heart of his. If you ever feel lost, trust the moon. I love you.
Your mother, Sable
P.S. Don’t let my sisters touch our mother’s jewelry until they tell you the whole truth.
Xeni reread the letter twice before she realized she was shaking. What in the whole fresh fuck? It was really something to have the foundation of your life ripped out from underneath you while being shamed for your selective single status all at once. Maybe Sable was her real mother. Who else could guilt her from beyond the grave with such a level of drama?
She swiped at the tears of rage gathering at the corners of her eyes before she glanced up at Mason. The redness had spread all the way up to his hairline and she wasn’t sure if he had tears of sadness or tears that matched the anger she felt lining her eyes. All she wanted to do was put her aunt’s spirit to rest. She didn’t want a new tax bracket. She didn’t want two new properties to manage. She didn’t want a husband.
“Do you want to read my letter?” Mason asked.
Xeni stared at him for a moment before she jumped up from her chair. Maybe his letter made a lick of sense. She made her way around the room and took the slip of paper from his hand. His letter was much shorter.
I know what you said, but just take the money. Take care of her and let her take care of you.
3
Mason was having a hard time breathing. Ms. Sable’s passing had been a blow he wasn’t prepared for. From the moment they met, she’d taken him under her wing, convinced him to open up and be honest about the complete disaster his life had become. He’d miss her dearly, but at the moment he wondered what in the world she’d been thinking. Mr. Barber could have dropped the news of Xeni’s apparently eventful birth on her in private. Why would Ms. Sable want him here for that? He looked down at Xeni. Her niece? Daughter? Christ, Xeni was right. There must be some kind of mistake.
“Here.” Xeni thrust his letter back in his hands, seemingly disappointed with what she’d just read.
“Does that help?” he asked.
“Not even close.”
“Can I have a look at your letter?” he asked.
“I’d rather you didn’t. There’s more… personal stuff in mine. It’s much longer.”
“Okay, then. That’s fair.”
“Okay, okay. Jesus.” Xeni stepped in to the corner across from the door, the only space in the room that wasn’t occupied by the table or chairs. She started pacing back and forth. “Okay. Do you need the money?”
“I could use it, yeah.”
