Page 101 of Until Now

“I can manage,” I say and slip from his grasp. Like a sad puppy, John watches us leave, but I don’t miss the steady glare Elizabeth has on him like a hawk stalking its prey. She’s daring him to try and come with us so she can strike. Suddenly, it feels like I’m throwing John to a pack of savage hyenas. “Behave yourselves,” I call over my shoulder following Kai down the hall to the garage.

Before we pull out of the garage, I send a text to the three of them…

Lina

Sissy

Bub

Chapter Fifty-Eight

Benjamin Campbell, longtime attorney of the Villa family, is not looking forward to going over the last will and testament of Alaric Villa. He told me Daddy had visited him two weeks prior to the accident asking Ben to make changes to his will and to expedite the process. With the changes made, Ben was sure World War III was about to break out. Normally, this would be done later, but Daddy had made it clear it was to be done as soon as possible after his death. “I think this will be easier if you let me get through everything and then we can discuss further, if you have any questions.”

“Of course,” Kai says wanting to get the show on the road. He and I left a large space between us and Brina. In fact, Kai asked me if it was possible to do this without her, but I had already asked Benjamin and he said no.

“Where to begin,” the attorney shuffles through the papers. He slides his glasses over his eyes and finally decides on one of the pages. “How about we start with the kids?” He takes our silence as acceptance. “To Kai James Villa…Villa Inc., you will ascend to replace your father, Alaric Villa. However, both children, Kai and Davina, will share ownership of all family companies and their assets. You can decide amongst yourselves how your sister is to be involved. Also, Kai, you will begin to receive monthly stipends from your inheritance equaling one-third of the family fortune. A separate fund has been set aside for you to use for your future wedding and college for future children.”

Kai nods. That was painless. Why does Ben seem so nervous?

“To Davina Bay Villa…One-third of the family fortune, which you too will receive in monthly stipends. You will share ownership of all family companies and their assets with your brother, Kai Villa. A separate fund has been set aside for you to use for your future wedding and college for future children. You have been named the new owner of the home in Haven.”

I nod, there was nothing shocking about that.

“The Santorini, Napa, Key West, and Paris homes are to be sold.”

Okay, that’s a little more interesting.

“To Brina Arrow Villa, and Alaric made this very clear…you will receive a monthly stipend to cover your living expenses at a modest amount, but nothing else.”

Kai and I share a surprised glance.

“Excuse me?” Brina’s voice rises two octaves.

“Need I remind you, you signed a prenup before you and Alaric were married. The prenup was clear: you were to only receive a monthly stipend to cover living expenses at a modest amount if you were to divorce or anything were to happen to your husband. Mr. Villa made it very clear, you—”

“I didn’t agree to this in the prenup! I would have never agreed to that. These must be the recent changes he made.”

“Actually, no. I have a copy here, that’s all you were ever meant to get. But, there is more.” Ben cleans his glasses before he flips to the last page. “If you choose to remarry, that is fine. You will still receive monthly stipends. However,” Ben looks up from the papers holding eye contact with Brina as he says the rest. “If that person is any of the men you had an affair with during the course of your marriage to Alaric Villa, the monthly stipends will cease.”

“Beh, questo non lascia molte opzioni,” I mumble with a small smirk to my brother.

“How many affairs did you have?” Kai looks at her in disgust.

“Only the one!”

“Oh, so you weren’t fucking my ex-boyfriend?” I finally address her.

“You little bitch, you turned your father against me. We never had any issues until you were born.”

It’s like a punch to the stomach. I turn away from Brina, I don’t want to give her the satisfaction of knowing her words affect me.

“This is not her fault.” Kai puts himself between us. “You did this to yourself.”

“Kai, I never—”

“Is that all?” Kai turns his attention back to Ben.

“No,” Ben flips back a page. “In other more recent changes, Alaric asked that the half of the final one-third of the family money be donated to charity. Kai and Davina are allowed to decide which one. The other half will be set aside for grandchildren. And,” Ben sighs, he looks at me, "the final thing to note, Alaric appointed you, Davina, to be the executor of the estate.”

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