Page 62 of Exile

It feels like spiders are crawling over my skin as everyone glances at me. I'm an inconvenience to them and it reads in their expressions.

I let out a breath when Alexander releases me, walking over to his spot. Picking up some paperwork, he scans it briefly before turning his attention to me.

"Now, down to business," he says with an almost sincere, calming voice. "Avery, Board regulations state that any documentation must be signed by the majority shareholder. Previously when it was just Damon and myself, we wereusuallyunable to proceed with required business without a Court order since Damon wasn't…compliant.When I took over as the majority shareholder, it made things easier as I only needed to sign. However, your incoming position changed the order of proceedings. Fortunately, our legal counsel has advised that given there are three of us now it actually works in our favor," he smiles coldly. "Together, you and I equal a majority. And by Dr. Smith's admission that you were lucid enough to enter into a marital contract, you are able to now sign on behalf of the Board."

What?

He drops the paperwork in front of me. I drop my head, reading only the first sentence before I spin to glare at him.

"You want me to sign an agreement that allows you access to the trust fund?"

Alexander nods, as if he's asking for something simple and not the ability to access means to torture human beings. "Damon was correct in that as majority shareholder his vote holds the most weight. But he failed to account for the fact that you and I can form a majority if in agreement."

"I won't sign it," I snap, pushing the paperwork away. "That's not your money. I'll never agree with you on anything."

"Let's circle back to that," he says, unfazed. Reaching down, he lifts the paperwork, revealing a second one underneath. "How about this one?"

Words printed in black and white stare back at me, my heart stopping completely as a shiver rolls through my body. I don't even react. I'm paralyzed by the document, tears threatening to spill as I register the double meaning ofthisdocument.

A pen appears in my peripheral vision as Alexander holds out a black ballpoint for me knowingly.

"Avery," he drawls when I don't move. "Sign it." There's a hiss and warning with his demand, and I do circle back—to the start.

I scan the room, checking for allies. Surely at least one of them disagree with this. Right?

Wrong.

The men all watch expectedly, some more annoyed than others at my hesitation. I realize I'm stupid to have hope, a fool to consider that any of these monsters would care about human decency.

I find myself looking through the large windows that separate the conference room from the hallway, pitifully searching for help. It's eerily empty for a busy corporate building—almost as if it was planned that way.

"I won't ask you again," Alexander warns. "I'm not a patient man, Avery. If you refuse, we'll just go with Plan B. Sign it."

I know I'm not the smartest person. And hell, everyone knows I've made some questionable decisions. I hurt Grey in the past. I abandoned Theo when he only wanted to be there for me. I painted Damon as a villain when all he ever did was try to protect us all. But I know what Alexander is referring to. I know what he's promising.

If I die, Damon would be my legal beneficiary by law. I don't own much—nothing except these goddamn shares. But they would go to him.

Unless…

This time, I can't stop the tear that slips free, rolling down my cheek. I don't bother to swipe it away. I want them to see what they have done.

Slowly, I accept the pen from Alexander, disgusted with the little huff of approval he makes.

My name is already printed at the bottom under a line where I need to sign. I never understood the expressionsigning your life away.

But I do now.

After all, it's here—clearly written….

THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF AVERY ELIZABETH WHITE

I revoke all prior Wills and Codicils.