Page 12 of The Liar I Married

TEN

It’s Michael who finds me in the passageway. His concerned gaze moves over me, and I’m enveloped in one of his bear hugs. It’s as if he can feel my pain. I gently push him away. “You’re crushing my dress.”

“You look like a puppy in a pet store window.” He pushes a strand of hair behind my ear and bends to look directly into my eyes.

“What’s happened? Is it John again? I can’t believe he actually came to listen to the reading of the will without Rebecca.

Every time I see them at work they are joined at the hip.

Although, I did hear mention that they were working on something big. ”

I chew on my bottom lip, not sure what to tell him.

I have no proof that John is having an affair although everything I’ve discovered points to it and I’m too much of a coward to face him again and demand the truth.

I know, I’m just being a doormat and I should hate him—but I don’t.

He’s always been the love of my life and this way at least I get to see him, even if it’s for fleeting minutes.

I can hope he gets bored with her and comes back to me.

You see, admitting my husband is attracted to someone else is like saying I’m not worthy.

It’s a terrible feeling. It’s a useless horrible stomach-dropping sensation to lose someone you love so very much to another.

To know he only lives in your house because he’s obligated to, is soul destroying.

I give my head a little shake. I can’t admit the truth to him.

“It’s not that, Michael. I’m a little shocked is all. ”

I take a deep breath. Explaining without giving details is going to be difficult and as much as I want to, I can’t explain about Grandma’s letter.

What she’d written could be the ramblings of an old lady.

For some reason she’d stopped trusting my dad.

Maybe she was becoming unbalanced toward the end?

I need to tell Michael about the will. I might as well get it over with.

“Grandma left the estate to me.” I look at his strange expression.

I’m not sure if he’s surprised or devastated.

“I’m so sorry, Michael, I thought it would go to you or Mom. ”

“I know.” Michael slips his arm around my shoulders and pulls me close.

“Grandma called me, six months or so before she had the stroke. She had a bee in her bonnet about some of the investments Dad had made on her behalf. She said she trusted me to look over them and give her an opinion. I honestly couldn’t find anything wrong apart from the fact that Dad had shares in many of the same companies.

” He sucks in a breath. “She asked me point blank if I would invest in my client’s portfolios.

Of course, I said no, it isn’t something our firm encourages.

” He sighs. “Maybe I tipped over a wasp’s nest by saying that because soon after, she told Dad it was time he retired and she wanted someone younger to take over her accounts.

She called me in again, and I assumed she wanted me to handle the investments but she’d already engaged another stockbroker. ”

I shake my head slowly not understanding what this had to do with the will. “I know Dad retired but what does this have to do with the will?”

“Grandma told me she’d be leaving the estate to you, with me as the spare if anything happened to you before she died.

” Michael chuckles. “Trust me, I really don’t want the burden of this place hanging round my neck.

It’s a huge responsibility and the taxes are incredible, as you’ll likely discover.

I’m more than happy with my share. I’m very good at my job and that will be double by the end of next year.

” He gives me a side eye. “You don’t have to worry about Mom either, she is over the moon with her inheritance.

Another thing is we’ll get the money right away.

Collins has a ton of work to do before the estate is actually transferred into your name.

It’s a long process. It will likely take twelve months.

” He gives me a squeeze. “So don’t do anything stupid in the meantime.

Trust me, I don’t want the responsibility of this place.

Although John would be in his element, he could run the investments with one hand tied behind his back and being the part owner of Stonebridge Manor will push him to the top of the social ladder.

I’m guessing it will even put a smile on his mother’s face. ”

I shake my head. “No doubt. Maybe then he’ll be able to afford a better business lawyer than Rebecca Lawson.” I snort with laughter. “In fact, I’ll insist on it.”

It’s five after ten, and I hear a key in the lock as I sit in the kitchen nursing a cup of coffee as I peruse the stack of paperwork the lawyer gave me.

The money the company estate generates over twelve months is mind-blowing.

I can’t get my mind around the figures. To think my great, great, grandfather managed to get through the Great Depression and subsequent family members played the dangers of the stock market to this extent and came out on top is beyond my comprehension.

I can’t honestly believe why my grandmother left it to me. I have no idea what to do with it.

I glance up as John walks into the kitchen. With not a hair out of place, it’s hard to believe he’s been working at all but I do notice he’s changed his tie. “New tie.”

“You’re very observant.” He loosens the tie and slipped it from around his neck, dangling it between two fingers.

“I forgot to wear my tiepin today and it dropped in my coffee. I could hardly speak to a client with half a latte on my silk tie, could I?” He stares at the documents on the table with a frown. “What’s all this?”

I take the first page of the will, listing all my entitlements, and hand it to him.

The codicil with the new provisions listed I kept hidden under a pile of documents.

“Of course nothing becomes legally mine until the will has passed probate.” I wave to the other pile of documents.

“All this is about assets and investments—all the financial stuff, I know nothing about.” I wave the last tax return at him.

“I had no idea my grandmother’s estate made so much money. ”

“Your father did mention the extent of her portfolio.” John’s eyebrows lift as he scans the tax return.

“You do understand he didn’t handle the portfolio alone?

He managed the direct finances of the estate but he engaged a brokerage firm for all this.

No one person could possibly be responsible for Stonebridge Manor’s assets.

” He shrugs. “They were doing so well. I don’t understand why your grandmother insisted the estate be handled by another firm.

From these figures your father had placed everything in secure hands.

” He picks up a document. “They’re in the hands of Legacy Securities.

It’s a big firm. I’ll look over the portfolio and see how they’re doing but it’s up to you if you want me to handle them?

It would mean even more money in our pockets, I’d earn commission.

” He gave her a slow smile. “Bringing an account this size to the firm would push me right to the top.”

That’s the first time he’s ever called his income, “our” money. Funny, how suddenly when I get money it’s “ours.” I stand and pour him a cup of coffee. “Are you hungry? I know it’s late but I can throw together something.”

“No, I’m good, thank you.” John meets my gaze. “I had a business dinner. It’s happening more and more now I’ve been promoted. I’m afraid it means I won’t be home as much for dinner. Give me time and I’ll delegate some of the work but just now, I can only go with the flow.”

You’re never home now. I sigh. “It must be difficult for Ms. Lawson to keep her figure when she’s out to lunch and dinner all the time.” I reach over and pluck a long blonde hair from his shoulder. “She’s left her calling card I see.”

“Well, at least she’s easy on the eye.” John smiles at me. “I could have been saddled with an old crone. Usually the clients are so taken by her, I can drive a good deal.”

I shake my head, trying to cover my feelings. Am I making too much of the fact he finds his workmate attractive? “I’m sure she does but I believe she’s overstepping the mark when she tries to come between a husband and wife’s private conversation. What was she doing in your car anyway?”

“I explained I had a client waiting and it’s usual for me to take her to the meetings as she’s the firm’s corporate lawyer.

” John blows out a long, frustrated breath.

“I’d arranged to drop by to collect her, so I could spend more time with you.

What was so important? You’re not pregnant, are you?

I’m not sure I could cope with a baby right now. ”

I look at him in disbelief. How could that even be possible?

“Then you don’t have to worry, do you? I called to tell you I’d inherited over one hundred million dollars and thought it would make you happy.

” I stand, pick up my phone, and head for the stairs.

“I’m going to take a shower. Don’t forget to lock up. ”

“Jessie.” John follows me to the steps. “You can’t keep pushing me away like this.”

I turn and look down at him, unable to believe my ears.

He’s trying to turn everything around as usual and blame me for our marriage problems. Is this sudden change of heart due to the fact I’ve inherited the Stonebridge estate?

“I’m not driving you away, John. Not at all.

I just find it difficult to get close to you when you come home smelling of perfume. ”

“I’ll take a shower and send my suit to the dry cleaners in the morning.

” He rubs his chin thoughtfully. “I’m not sure why that would be upsetting to you, Jessie.

I apologize I hadn’t noticed. I guess sharing an office with someone all day, who lathers herself in fragrance, means some would transfer to me.

As you said, she is an employee. I will insist she refrains from wearing fragrance inside my office. ”

I giggle at the absurdity. “Honestly, John, you can’t do that.

She’s an attorney and knows the rights of people in the workplace.

It’s like telling her she can’t wear the short skirt and stiletto heels.

The times when the boss was allowed to insist on personal details is over.

I would suggest you don’t get so close to her, especially as she’s leaving hairs on your collar. ”

“How do you know it’s not one of yours?” John starts up the stairs toward me.

I laugh and wave a hand in the air. “Because I’m a natural blonde.

We women know the difference.” I head into the bathroom and lock the door, confident I’d scored my first point.

I just wish it would make me feel better.

The uncertainty of my husband spending so much time with a single woman he admires is festering into a wound my heart can’t survive.