Tristan’s POV
I couldn’t believe that Camille of all people were standing on the front steps of my house. She seems to look better, as I thought grief would shatter her. I was still fuming on the inside with these court crap documents in my hand, and now I don’t know why Camille would want to discuss anything about this house.
I furrowed my brows, “Why would you want to talk about this house... and see me about what?” I asked.
“Well, aren’t you going to invite your sister-in-law inside?”
I let out a sigh and opened the door wider, stepping aside so that she could enter. “Thank you,” she said as she entered. She had a black handbag in her hand. I closed the door behind her. I found her studying the lounge and dining area.
“So?” I pushed as she turned to face me.
“Well...since Estelle passed away, I do have the right to get this house. And I’m here for it.”
I was taken aback by this, “What?”
“Yes... I have legal documents to prove that I get this house,” she started to rummage inside her bag and took out an envelope. I hope this is some serious joke. She handed it over to me as I put the documents of Grace on the coffee table and I opened the envelope for Camille’s document. She made herself comfortable as she took a seat on the sofa and her eyes caught Grace’s documents, but I was too eager to read what I was being given.
Law Offices of Holloway & Merton
Private & Confidential
To: Mr. Tristan Crane
Re: Estate Property of the Late Estelle Crane
Dear Mr. Crane,
We write to you on behalf of our client, Ms. Camille Paine, in regard to the residential property previously owned by the late Mrs. Estelle Crane, your deceased spouse.
It is our client’s position that, as the legally recognized foster sister and partial beneficiary of the Estate, Ms. Paine is entitled to claim ownership rights and residence privileges over the aforementioned property under the provisions of the last testament and related codicils, copies of which have been forwarded for your review.
Ms. Paine asserts that, as stipulated by familial estate agreements and oral assurances made prior to Mrs. Crane’s passing, she maintains both an emotional and equitable interest in the property. Ms. Paine is prepared to pursue formal legal remedies to secure her claim should this matter not be resolved amicably.
In light of the above, we hereby request that you initiate an orderly transfer of the property title or vacate the premises within thirty days of this notice, to prevent escalation of judicial proceedings. However, our client is open to discussing a mutually agreeable settlement that might avoid litigation such as whether she gets to reside in the residence or share it with you.
Please direct any responses to this office in writing within fourteen days. Failure to do so may compel us to proceed with filing an action in probate court.
We trust that you will treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves.
Sincerely,
Alex Mendez
Attorney at Law
Holloway & Merton
My blood boiled. “What the fuck is this?” I held the document up in the air for her to see. “You left straight after Estelle’s funeral, no word from you for three years, and now you decided to show up and present this shit to me.”
She looked so proud of herself as she crossed one leg over the other, smiling proudly. “I came back for what is mine, Tristan. So, either I move in while you’re here or you can move out.” She stood up. “We can be a happy family if you want us to be, but that won’t be such a bad idea since Estelle got everything that I wanted in life, the perfect foster family, the perfect house, daughter and the perfect man,” she shrugged.
I scoffed, “There was a Will of Estelle that was read out to me and Cris when she passed away, I don’t think this is valid after three years!” I sucked in a deep breath as I studied the letter again.
“There is proof that Estelle amended the Last testament. My attorney should have sent it to your email already,” she stated as I heard heels clacking on the tiled floor. Camille’s eyes shifted behind me. “Elona, long time no see. You look absolutely beautiful,” she said with a smile, taking in Elona’s appearance beside me.
“It’s nice seeing you again, Aunt Camille,” Elona replied. I turned fully towards her.
“Um... Is there anything you need?” I asked. Elona looked at me as if afraid we might get caught in a secret or something.
“No, I just...wanted to see where you were. I will give you both privacy,” she looked between us as she slowly started to back away towards the hallway.
“I will be there shortly,” I said as calmly as I could, but as I held her gaze she seemed concerned, and then she nodded before walking down the hallway. I turned my attention back to Camille.
“Is Cris here? I’d like to see my beautiful niece.”
“She isn’t here, she doesn’t live here anymore. She moved close to SNT.” I was more worried about this document in my hand.
“Well, then what’s Elona doing here alone with you? David away on business again?” she asked.
“That’s about right. I’m going to my study room to check if your attorney has sent any other proof.” I turned and went to my study room and sat behind my desk, powering up my laptop.
If this is true, then I will lose this place, all the memories. Things are just about to get crazy in my life, and I’m starting to hate this. I opened up my emails and there it was.
LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT
I, ESTELLE CRANE, being of sound mind and memory, do hereby make, publish and declare this to be my Last Will and Testament.
ARTICLE 1: APPOINTMENT OF EXECUTOR
I hereby appoint Camille Paine, my trusted foster sister and confidante, as the sole Executor of my estate. Should she be unable or unwilling to serve, I appoint Tristan Crane, my husband, as alternate Executor.
ARTICLE 2: DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY
I hereby direct that my estate be distributed as follows:
To Camille Paine, I leave my entire interest in the house located at Park Lane Estate, including all furnishings, fixtures, and personal belongings contained therein. I leave the sum of One Million Dollars for her continuous support throughout my life.
To Tristan Crane, my beloved husband, I leave my remaining jewelry collection as a token of my affection, but anything that was from him, and whatever he purchased, belongs to him.
To Crislynn Crane, my daughter, I leave her the one property in Europe.
ARTICLE 3: RESIDUARY CLAUSE
All the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate, of whatever kind and wherever located, I give, devise and bequeath to Crislynn Crane and Camille Paine.
ARTICLE 4: OMISSION
Should any person contest this Will, their inheritance shall be nullified.
SIGNATURE & ATTESTATION
Signed this 22nd day of February, 2020, in the presence of the undersigned witnesses.
Estelle Crane
Witnessed by:
Alex Mendez
(Attorney)
Helen Joubert
(Notary Public)
CODICIL TO LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT
CODICIL NO. 1
I, Estelle Crane, declare this to be a Codicil to my Last Will and Testament dated February 22, 2020.
I hereby amend Article 2 to include the bequest of an additional sum of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars to Camille Paine, as she deserves it.
All other provisions of my Last Will and Testament remain in full force and effect.
Signed this 10th day of March, 2020.
Estelle Crane
Witnessed by:
Alex Mendez
Helen Joubert
This can’t be happening. Estelle couldn’t have done this behind my back. I continued to stare at the email, this cannot be right. I would’ve known. Our attorney would’ve known. Nothing on the Will he read after she died said anything about Camille. Fuck it. I leaned back in the office chair, my elbow resting on the desk as I rested my chin on my hand, trying to soak all this bullshit in.
“Now you see I wasn’t making anything up,” I looked at Camille as she stood in the doorway with a document in her hand. She smirked at me. “This is quite interesting,” she looked down at the document and started reading, “The Defendant has engaged in threatening and intimidating behavior, including but not limited to cornering her outside her workplace, raising his voice, and accusing her of misconduct without formal proof or legal grounds.” She looked up at me as she sauntered towards my desk, before reading again, “The Defendant has had an unhealthy fixation on the Plaintiff dating back to a school camp incident a year ago, during which he allegedly displayed inappropriate interest in her, despite being significantly older. The Plaintiff rejected Mr. Crane’s alleged advances during said camp incident, and that he has since targeted her unfairly, including threats to ruin her and end her career before it even begins.” She came to a stop in front of my desk, my jaw clenched as my blood continued to boil. “Wow, Tristan. The Defendant has made false accusations concerning the Plaintiff’s behavior during the school camp activity... going so far as to say she was responsible for a miscarriage of her classmate he got pregnant, a claim that has no factual basis and has caused irreparable emotional harm to the Plaintiff...”
I jumped up from my chair, letting it roll to the back as I reached over my desk and grabbed the document out of her hands. “This. Is not your business.” I hissed through clenched teeth and I placed the document of Grace on my desk.
“Who did you get pregnant in that school? And what’s the real reason why Elona’s here? It’s not about David being away. She’s old enough to be home alone down the street since Cris is no longer living here.” she stared at me knowingly.
Fuck.