The Clause in Margaret's Will
Chapter 04 - The Clause in Margaret's Will
The next morning, Elena sat alone on the terrace.
Ryan had slept in the guest room.
She had not slept at all.
At eight fifteen, she called her mother’s longtime attorney, Daniel Price.
He answered on the second ring.
“Elena?”
“I need to ask you something about the villa.”
There was a pause.
“What happened?”
She told him.
Not every detail.
Just enough.
When she finished, Daniel sighed.
“Your mother was afraid of something like this.”
Elena sat straighter.
“What do you mean?”
“Margaret amended the trust six months before she died.”
Elena had known there were changes.
She had never asked why.
Daniel continued.
“The villa cannot be sold during your marriage without the approval of the independent trustee.”
“Who is the trustee?”
“Me.”
Elena looked toward the glass doors.
Ryan was standing inside.
Listening.
Daniel lowered his voice.
“There is another clause.”
Ryan stepped onto the terrace.
Elena raised one finger, warning him not to speak.
Daniel said, “If anyone attempts to transfer, mortgage, or list the property through fraud or misrepresentation, control of the villa automatically shifts.”
“To whom?”
“To you alone.”
Elena closed her eyes.
Her mother had protected her.
Even from the husband Elena once believed she would grow old with.
Ryan suddenly reached for the phone.
“Elena, hang up.”
She stood.
“Why?”
His face betrayed him.
Because somewhere, somehow, he had already tried.
Elena looked at the real-estate folder on the table.
Then at her husband.
“What did you sign?”
May you like
Ryan said nothing.
That silence told her everything.
