Chapter 4 - The LawsuitGabriel hadn't filed the claim personally.
His attorney had.
The argument was that the inheritance should be considered marital property because the marriage had lasted eleven years.
It was a desperate move.
But it was calculated.
The claim temporarily froze part of the estate.
I stared at the legal notice.
Gabriel walked into the room.
“You said you didn't know.”
“I didn't.”
“You filed a claim.”
“I had no choice.”
“You always have a choice.”
He looked exhausted.
“Roderick is threatening Mom.”
“What?”
“He says he'll hurt himself.”
I stared at him.
“And that's why you sued me?”
“He's desperate.”
“So am I.”
He looked at me.
“For what?”
“My husband.”
He had no response.
My attorney advised me not to communicate with Gabriel about the case.
So I didn't.
The following morning, I went to court.
Gabriel's lawyer argued that the money should be divided.
My attorney presented the trust.
Then the estate documents.
Then the forensic report.
Then my mother's letter.
The judge reviewed everything.
Finally, she looked at Gabriel.
“Mr. Hayes, did you contribute financially to this estate?”
“No.”
“Did you assist with the property?”
“No.”
“Did you assist your wife's mother during her illness?”
He hesitated.
“Not directly.”
The judge looked at the documents.
“Then what is the basis of your claim?”
His lawyer stood.
“Marriage.”
The judge nodded.
“Marriage alone does not establish ownership of separate inherited property under the governing law.”
Silence.
The claim was dismissed.
But the judge wasn't finished.
She ordered an investigation into the attempted transfers.
Gabriel looked at me.
I couldn't read his expression.
Anger.
Shame.
Fear.
Maybe all three.
Outside the courthouse, he followed me.
“Valerie.”
I stopped.
“I made a mistake.”
“You made several.”
“I can fix it.”
“No.”
“Please.”
“You can't undo what you did.”
He lowered his voice.
“I love you.”
I stared at him.
“You loved me when my mother was alive.”
“Yes.”
“You loved me when there was no money.”
“Yes.”
“Then why did your love change when there was eight million dollars?”
He had no answer.
I walked away.
But as I reached my car, my attorney called again.
“Valerie.”
“What?”
“We found something else.”
“What?”
“Your mother's life insurance policy.”
“What about it?”
“The beneficiary was changed six weeks before she died.”
My heart stopped.
“To whom?”
May you like
He said a name.
“Gabriel.”
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