PART 2 — The Name in the Will
The church did not breathe.
Even the candles seemed to hesitate.
Evan Vale’s smile vanished slowly, like it had been wiped off with something cold and invisible.
“Repeat that,” he said sharply.
Mr. Halden did not look up.
“My client, Emma Vale, has named her first beneficiary: Margaret Ellis.”
A murmur exploded across the pews.
Margaret.
Me.
I didn’t move. I didn’t blink. I simply kept my eyes on Emma’s coffin, as if she might suddenly sit up and explain why she had chosen me.
Evan let out a short laugh—too fast, too forced.
“This is a mistake,” he said. “Emma and I never discussed—”
“Sit down,” Mr. Halden interrupted quietly.
The tone was not loud.
It was final.
Celeste’s grip on Evan’s arm tightened. “This is ridiculous,” she whispered, but her voice had already lost its confidence.
Mr. Halden continued reading.
“The estate, including all shares in Vale Holdings, personal accounts, properties, and legal trusts… are placed under conditional guardianship of Margaret Ellis.”
The church erupted in whispers.
Vale Holdings.
Billions.
Evan turned slowly toward me.
For the first time, his face wasn’t arrogant.
May you like
It was confused.
And underneath it—fear.
