Chapter 4 - Edith's Final DemandEdith came to my office three days later.
She didn't knock.
She walked straight inside.
“We need to settle this.”
I looked up from my computer.
“No.”
She stopped.
“You're going to destroy Jeremy's life.”
“He destroyed it himself.”
“You are his wife.”
“And you are his mother.”
She crossed her arms.
“You owe this family.”
I almost smiled.
“Explain.”
“I raised Jeremy.”
“So?”
“You wouldn't have the husband you have without me.”
I stood.
“And you wouldn't have the lifestyle you have without me.”
Her face hardened.
“You think money makes you important?”
“No.”
I looked directly at her.
“Choices do.”
She stepped closer.
“You have always been selfish.”
“I paid your medical bills.”
“You offered.”
“I paid for this house.”
“You married my son.”
“I paid for your car.”
“You wanted to.”
“I paid for your daughter's tuition.”
She said nothing.
I continued.
“I paid your property taxes.”
Silence.
“You called me lazy while spending money I earned.”
Her jaw tightened.
Then she said something I never expected.
“Jeremy deserves half.”
I laughed.
“Half of what?”
“Everything.”
“Even my inheritance?”
She looked away.
That was the answer.
“You knew about the trust.”
She said nothing.
“You knew about my father's money.”
Silence.
“You planned this.”
“No.”
“Then why did you tell Jeremy to marry me?”
Her face changed.
I froze.
“What?”
She recovered quickly.
“I never said that.”
“You did.”
“Blaire—”
“You told him I was financially stable.”
“I meant you were a good woman.”
“No.”
I stepped closer.
“You told him I was worth marrying.”
She went silent.
That sentence destroyed the last illusion I had.
I had believed Jeremy chose me because he loved me.
Maybe he had.
But his mother had certainly chosen me for another reason.
My money.
My career.
My father's trust.
My property.
Everything.
Edith suddenly lowered her voice.
“You don't understand what you're doing.”
“I understand perfectly.”
“You'll regret this.”
“I already regret staying.”
She walked toward the door.
Then turned.
“You think your lawyer can protect you?”
“Yes.”
“You don't know what we're capable of.”
I stared at her.
“Is that a threat?”
She smiled.
“You'll find out.”
She left.
I immediately called Mr. Lawrence.
“I want security.”
“Already arranged.”
“And I want the trust fully protected.”
“It is.”
“And Jeremy's access?”
“Blocked.”
I exhaled.
Then my phone buzzed.
A text from Teresa.
Blaire, I found something worse.
I called her.
“What?”
“Your husband has been trying to force the trust to dissolve.”
“How?”
“Through a lawsuit.”
My heart sank.
“On what grounds?”
“He claims you're financially incompetent.”
I closed my eyes.
The same old strategy.
They were trying to make me look unstable.
But this time, I was ready.
“Send everything to my lawyer.”
“I will.”
Then she added:
“There's one more name on the lawsuit.”
May you like
“Whose?”
“Your mother-in-law's.”
Related Stories
