Page 55 of Downfall

That makes sense, Paris was the kind of man who thought he’d live forever. He wouldn’t have done anything as mundane as sort out a will, wouldn’t have done anything that attested to his mortality.

“…But as his spouse, under normal circumstances that means his entire estate goes to you.”

“What do you mean by ‘normal circumstances’?” I ask.

“At present we don’t have an official cause of death.”

“But it was an accident…”

“Yes.” He cuts across me gently enough. “We need the inquest to rule it as such for legal purposes. Once we have that then I can fill in the necessary bits from my side.”

“And then?”

“Then it’s just a case of sorting probate. Paris had some minor debts that will need to be cleared but his assets far outweigh all of it.”

I nod. It shouldn’t be about the money. Not really. The man is dead and that’s enough for me. But the fact that I get that too? I’ll admit that amuses me. That in the end, I profit personally from this union.

Not my father.

Not my family.

But me.

It seems right. It seems fitting. After all the violence I endured, all the disgusting moments I suffered at his hands, it’s only fair that I walk away with something in return. I few million isn’t a bad price to set, is it?

The lawyer flicks through the papers. “In total, after taxes and debts are deducted you’re looking at an estate worth two hundred million.”

My eyes widen. I balk at his words. “What?” Even my voice stammers.

“That’s only the liquid assets. We have the two houses to account for, so in total it’s closer to two hundred and fifty.”

“Jesus.” I mutter. That’s a hell of a lot more money than I thought he had. I mean we Capulets are rich but this is something else entirely.

“Assuming the inquest rules as we expect we should be able to release the funds in the next six months.”

I nod. It’s not like I’m in desperate need for money right now. I have cash in my accounts and no real expenditure beyond frivolities, which, with Paris now gone, I have little need for. I won’t be going to anymore parties as arm candy. I won’t be his trophy wife anymore.

A wave of relief hits me at that thought. No more pretence. No more false smiles while his hands dig into my flesh.

“Is there anything else you need from me?” I ask.

“No. Not until the inquest.”

I give a tight smile shaking his hand. “One thing actually, if I wanted to sell the house...”

“Which one?”

I tilt my head. “Both?”

“You’d need to wait, at least until probate is granted.”

“Fine.” I say. It’s not like that’s all that urgent either. I’ve put up with the place for years. I can wait a little longer before I’m able to ditch it and find somewhere more me. Somewhere without such memories attached.

Or perhaps I could leave entirely? Leave Verona. The idea strikes me. To walk away. To finally disappear. But to do that I’d truly have to admit defeat. To admit that they all won. To surrender everything.

And I don’t think I’m ready for that. Not yet.

I’ve still got a lot of fight left in me. I’m going to claim back everything they stole. And I’ve got six months to figure it all out because when that money comes in, I want to be ready.

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