My son had a good heart, but he’d always been easily influenced. First by his ex-wife, now by Violet.
I wondered what George would say if he could see how quickly Violet was moving to push me out of my own home.
Actually, I knew exactly what he’d say.
“Just wait, Ellie. Just wait.”
Mr. Peterson’s law office hadn’t changed in 20 years. The same leather chairs, the same mahogany desk, even the same faded landscape paintings on the walls.
George had always joked that stepping into Peterson’s office was like stepping into a time capsule.
I sat quietly, handsfolded in my lap, as everyone else filtered in.
Thomas arrived with Violet, who was dressed in a black designer suit that seemed more appropriate for a business merger than a will reading.
She’d even brought a small notebook as if she planned to inventory her new possessions.
George’s sister Martha arrived next, giving me a warm hug before taking the seat beside me.
“How are you holding up, Ellen?” she whispered, squeezing my hand.
“I’m managing,” I replied softly.
Martha had never liked Violet.
“That woman has the warmth of a snake,” she’d told me once after witnessing Violet deliberately exclude me from a family photo at Thomas’s birthday.
Martha was the only one who saw through Violet’s facade from the beginning.
Mr. Peterson entered last, carrying a leather portfolio.
He was in his 70s now, a contemporary of George and me, and had handled our legal matters for decades.
“Thank you all for coming,” he began, adjusting his reading glasses. “We’re here to discuss the last will and testament of George William Montgomery.”
Violet straightened in her chair, pen poised over her notebook.
I noticed how she angled herself toward Thomas, her body language suggesting they were a unit separate from me.
“Before I begin,” Mr. Peterson continued, “I want to note that George made changes to his will approximately 6 months ago. These changes were made when he was of sound mind and body with full legal capacity.”
Violet’s pen paused midair.
I saw her shoot a quick concerned glance at Thomas.
“I’ll begin with the basic provisions,” Mr. Peterson said, opening the portfolio. “To my sister Martha Montgomery, I leave my collection of first edition books and the sum of $50,000.”
Martha nodded, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue.
“To my son, Thomas Montgomery, I leave my vintage car collection, my woodworking tools, and my fishing cabin at Lake Tahoe.”
Thomas looked surprised but pleased. He’d always loved that cabin.
“Additionally,” Mr. Peterson continued, “I leave to Thomas the sum of $200,000 to be held in trust and distributed in quarterly payments over a period of 5 years.”
The satisfied smile on Violet’s face faltered.
“In trust with quarterly payments?” she interrupted. “Why not a lump sum?”
Mr. Peterson looked at her over his glasses.
“I’m simply reading the will as written, Mrs. Montgomery, if you’ll allow me to continue.”
Violet fell silent, but I could see the tension in her jaw.
“To my beloved wife, Ellen Montgomery, I leave our family home at 1423 Maple Street, including all furnishings and personal effects contained therein.”
I heard Violet’s sharp intake of breath.
“Additionally, I leave to Ellen the sum of1 million dollars from my life insurance policy, my investment portfolio, and full ownership of Montgomery Consulting Group.”
The room went completely still.
Montgomery Consulting had been George’s pride and joy, the business he’d built from nothing into a successful regional firm. Everyone had assumed Thomas would inherit it.
“This—this must be a mistake,” Violet finally sputtered. “George always intended for Thomas to take over the business.”
Mr. Peterson shook his head.
“There’s no mistake. George was very clear about his wishes.”
“But Ellen knows nothing about running a consulting firm,” Violet protested, her composure cracking. “She’s just a housewife.”
“Just a housewife?” I repeated quietly. “I worked alongside George for 20 years before retiring. I helped him build that company from our garage.”
Violet turned to Thomas, her eyes wide with disbelief.
“Are you going to let this happen? Your father’s company, your inheritance going to her?”
Thomas looked stunned, unable to form words.