“You’ll be okay. I’ll make sure of it.”
“How? You won’t be with me. And you shouldn’t have to take care of me, Felix. I need to learn to take care of myself.”
What she doesn’t realize is she’s always taken care of herself. She might not know about her heritage or the estate her parents left her but for most of her life, she’s been the one taking care of herself, of her aunt.
And as much as I want her to stay here, as much as I want to take care of her, she’s right, she needs to do this herself.
RILEY
“Idon’t understand.” I squeeze my hands together in my lap and glance at Granger, Felix’s uncle, before looking at the lawyers on the other side of the table. “What does that mean for me? Now.”
“Can I, Ken?” the woman to the left of the man who just explained my parents will and the trusts asks.
At his nod, she leans forward, her forearms on the table. The move brings her closer, more like we’re having a chat at a cafe than a meeting in a conference room.
“I know that was a lot of legal jargon that you probably aren’t familiar with and honestly, even I find it a little confusing and I studied law for years.” She smiles and it makes her look years younger. “Basically what your parents did was leave their entire estate to you, but they put the house and money in trusts so that no one could take advantage of you because you were a child at the time they set this all up.”
“I get that, but what does it mean now Aunt Bethany is dead and Warren inheritsherestate?” I’m hoping it doesn’t mean what I think it does because if I’ve got it right, I’m no better off now than I have been my whole life.
“Well, as you aren’t twenty-five or married, your parents’ estate remains in control of the trustee. As her sole heir, that’s Warren Sanders.”
“How? How does he get to inherit the trustee position?” Granger asks, anger and confusion lacing his words. I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks this isn’t right. “The Roses nominated Bethany.”
“Yes. They did. And unfortunately, in her will, she nominated Warren,” the older lawyer—I think he said his name is Michael Sturgis—says with a frown. “I realize now, that was an error we made when setting up your parents’ will.”
“So the only way to get access to what’s mine is to wait another four years or be married?”
“Yes.”
Urgency fills me. Turning to Granger, I say, “Take me back to Felix. I need to talk to Felix.”
“Now?”
“Yes. Right now. I need to talk to himnow.” I can fix this. Can stop Warren from having any more of my parents’ money.
“We can call him,” Granger says with concern in his eyes.
“I don’t have a—” I stop talking when Granger pulls his phone from his pocket and hands it to me. “I don’t know?—”
“Can you all give us some privacy, please?” Granger pushes his chair back and stands. “We’ll let you know when we’re ready to go over anything else.”
“Of course.” Mr. Sturgis stands. “I’ve got another meeting to get to, but Thea will be available to go over anything further.”
I don’t even say goodbye. Or thank you. I’m too busy staring at the phone in my hand. I’ve never held one before. I’ve seen them, I know all about them, but cell phones were not an option in Aunt Bethany’s world. I could get one now.
Except I can’t. If the lawyers are to be believed, there are millions of dollars waiting for me and I can’t touch a cent.Because the gatekeeper is a man who would never let me. The money that used to land in my account came from my aunt, but she got it from the trust. Thankfully she had no real control over the money.
In a weird twisty way, my parents have saved the bulk of their wealth from being squandered. By my aunt or her son. It’s all locked away, small amounts being deposited into my aunt’s account every week.
“Here, let me call my nephew.” Granger sits back down beside me and holds out his hand. “I’m assuming you’re thinking about the marriage loophole.”
“How…?” I shake my head. “I wouldn’t be if Felix hadn’t originally tried to find a wife. It would never enter my mind to ask him, but it’s the only option I have. I can’t let Warren have any more than he’s already gotten, and I can’t get him out of the house otherwise. Not without taking control of my parents’ estate.”
“I think it’s a solid plan. I only ask that you take care with Felix. He’s been through enough and?—”
“Oh, I know. I’d never hurt him. He’s the kindest man I know.” Heat fills my face. “And I like him.”
Granger chuckles. “Considering the lecture I got about taking care of you before we left the cabin this morning, I think that feeling might be mutual.”
