AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter One
HARPER
Somepeoplecallthishouse a mansion, envy the life of luxury within these sandstone walls. I call this ten-bedroom monstrosity a prison, praying every day for the chance to leave. After nine grueling years, my prayers are answered. The chains that shackled me here are broken. All I have to do is get through today, and then I’ll have my life back.
My fingers curl around the cold, crystal champagne flute as I stare at the guests gathered in the ‘ballroom’ as Derek liked to call the pretentious room, acting like it’s a social event, not a wake. To me it’s a celebration. My husband is dead and the reason I’ll soon be free. This wasn’t how I pictured my freedom, but I’ll take it however I can get it.
For now, I must put my loathing for the man aside and play the grief-stricken widow. Judith, Derek’s sister, has been giving me warning glares all afternoon if I so much as crack a smile. After today, she won’t have to see me again. With Derek gone, we have no ties. There’s no reason to be in each other’s lives.
I want to hide in my room to avoid the ‘mourners’. Instead, I shake their hands, accept air-kisses, and dab the corners of my eyes with a tissue at non-existing tears I couldn’t push out if I tried. If one more person says they’re sorry for my loss, I think I’ll scream! No, it wasn’t tragic. No, he won’t be missed. No, there will never be another man like him—thank God! I know their condolences are meaningless. I see their knowing smirks when they think I’m not looking. It is no secret Derek died from a cardiac arrest while fucking another woman. How fitting for him. These people hated him. Only tolerated him because of what he held over their heads. He could destroy their reputation and businesses with a snap of his fingers. They’re not here to share their grief. They want to gossip.
The afternoon drags on. My feet throb in my black Prada heels, and the pins holding my long hair in a bun are digging into my scalp. The aromatic scent of lilies and roses in ornate vases placed around the room is cloying, making my head pound. I’m so relieved when I say goodbye to the last of the guests and leave Judith to organize the clean-up crew and race to my room.
Kicking off my shoes, I pluck the pins from my hair and peel off my widow clothes, tossing them into a corner of the room. Not neatly put away in the walk-in closet like Derek would demand.I hope in your special place in hell you can see the crumpled heap on the floor.In my bra and panties, I fling myself onto the bed. A huge grin spreads across my face.
“I’m free,” I whisper, looking up at the ceiling. “I’m free!” This time I yell it as I kick my arms and legs and toss my head from side to side. Derek is out of my life for good. Oh God, it feels amazing. I take a deep, fortifying breath. It feels wonderful to breathe again.
In the morning, I have a meeting with Derek’s lawyer for the reading of his will, and after that, I’m getting my life back.
I can’t wait!
The next morning in Mr. McCarthy’s office, a mixed feeling of excitement stirs in the pit of my stomach. While waiting for the will to be read, I fidget in my chair as the lawyer shuffles papers on his desk. For a second, I wonder where Judith is. The thought disappears when the lawyer clears his throat. In a moment, he’ll be handing me my freedom.
He props his glasses on the tip of his nose and reads. When he finishes, I sit stunned for a moment, my eyes blinking slowly. When the words sink in, I sit up straight. “What did you say?” Surely I misunderstood.
Mr. McCarthy’s gaze flicks from the papers in his hand, then back at me. A trace of sympathy crosses his eyes. “Derek’s estate, which includes all property, money, and personal items, are going to his sister Judith Richardson. He is leaving his chain of casinos to his business partner, Warren Goldman. You are to receive five thousand dollars and the suitcase of belongings you moved into his house with.”
Like the lawyer’s secretary knew when to enter, she rolls my gray luggage into the room, placing it next to me, and hands me an envelope I assume has money inside.
“I can’t pack my own stuff? I have a few more things at the house that wouldn’t fit in that suitcase I’d like to get.” Who the hell had Derek arranged to do this? Probably Judith. Good riddance to them both. I’m surprised she’s not here to witness this.
“I’m afraid not. You’re not allowed back on the property.”
I grip the arms of my chair, my chest heaving. “I’ve been married to that bastard for nine years. I’ve put up with the string of women he paraded in front of me—” Not that it bothered me; it kept him away from me. “—and…and…” I can’t verbalize the mental torture of being married to such a toxic person. “And the shit he put me through. You know what? I want nothing from him or anything his money bought me. He can shove his money and possessions up his cold, dead ass. All I want is my parents’ properties back. Tell me how I go about doing that please.”
Mr. McCarthy runs a finger under the collar of his shirt. “About that. Derek owned your parents’ estate. Therefore, it’s all going to Judith.”
An icy shiver rakes over my body. My mouth drops open. “No.” The word comes out in a cracked whisper. “That’s not possible. Their house in South Hampton and cabin on Mirror Lake belong to me.” I knew the properties were still in Derek’s name after the reading of my parents’ will a year ago. All because of a gambling debt my father owed Derek that was supposed to be wiped clean when I married him. But because my father continued gambling after the marriage and continued to owe Derek, he signed the properties over to Derek to keep his gambling addiction quiet. The governor of New York did not want his dirty laundry aired. I sold my soul to keep them in the family and to protect my father’s reputation. The cabin is what I want the most. It’s the one place I was the happiest.
The lawyer uses a handkerchief to rub beads of sweat off his forehead. “The properties are in Derek’s name, therefore they will now go to Judith.”
I rub my palms on my thighs. “I’ve been married to him for years. Surely I have some rights?”
Clasping his hands together, he places his forearms on the timber desk. “Before you married Derek, you signed a prenup. It explained what you were entitled to in case of his death. Didn’t you read it?”
The morning of my wedding was the worst day of my life. I remember signing something. Papers were thrown under my nose. My heart had been too broken, my eyes too swollen with tears to read a word of it.
“So, I have no house to live in and only five thousand dollars?” I can’t control my voice from shaking.
Mr. McCarthy looks at me with sympathy. “I’m afraid so. He originally wasn’t leaving you anything. I had to fight with him to give you any money. I wanted more, but…” He shrugs his shoulders. “I wish there was more I could’ve done.”
For a moment, I stare at the marble floor. Surely I can contest this? But with what money? Derek took everything from me. “Even from the grave, Derek keeps proving he’s nothing but an asshole.” I won’t let him get the better of me. I straighten my shoulders. “Thank you for trying.”
Rising from my chair, I tuck the envelope in my purse and grab the handle of the luggage bag. With my head held high, I march out of the office.
As I walk through the reception area, the secretary who’d given me my luggage earlier, scurries from behind the desk. “I’m so sorry about Mr. Richardson’s will.”
“Thanks.” I go to move on.
