“What did you say?”
Alton leaned back and lifted his brow. “It was an interesting conversation. I spoke with a Dr. Renaud.”
“Yes, she’s my faculty counselor.”
“She was surprised to hear from me, again—your father—in connection to your records.”
My stomach twisted as I recalled telling her that Alton had no say over anything regarding me. “You have to understand, I’m an adult. I should have been the one who called.”
“While that’s debatable—”
“It’s not,” I interjected. “Talking to parents is against university policy. She has to talk to me.”
He waved his hand. “The subject is irrelevant. After a brief discussion and reminders, the situation is resolved. You’re now on a family-emergency leave.”
“What does that even mean? How will that affect this semester?” Panic filled my bloodstream. “I can’t go on leave. I’ll finish from here. I can watch lectures online and communicate with my professors via email and teleconferencing. I only have a little over a month left until the end of the semester. I don’t under—”
Alton lifted his hand. “Enough. I took care of it.”
“Really, dear,” Suzanna said, her words once again filled with sugar. “You’ll be too busy. What, with the wedding arrangements and of course, your mother, you don’t have time for school.”
I turned toward Suzanna, my jaw clenched in helpless frustration. “I can make time.”
Alton opened a manila folder on his desk and gestured toward the chair beside me. “Suzy, sit. Bryce, pull over another chair. Brantley is waiting to take us back to Montague Corporation. The world doesn’t stop because Alexandria has decided to grace us.”
I didn’t decide to grace them. I was kidnapped, tricked, and captured.
Momentarily, the loss of Columbia drowned out the commotion of everyone sitting around me. I turned toward Bryce. “You’re going back to work? What about going to see my mother?”
Before Bryce could respond, Alton began. “I explained the groundwork yesterday. Basically, your grandfather legally secured the future of Montague by tying up loose ends before his death.” He handed me a piece of paper.
Leaning forward I took what he offered, curious yet dreading what I was about to read.
“This is a section of Charles Montague II’s last will and testament,” Alton explained. “It’s a copy. You can imagine the magnitude of the actual document. This is the part that concerns you.”
I stared down at the words. The room quieted, taking a collective breath, as I read.
Article XII - Provisions for Montague holdings
If at the time of my passing these provisions have not been satisfied, it is the responsibility of my heirs, Adelaide Montague Fitzgerald and Alexandria Charles Montague Collins, to willingly and legally satisfy the following criteria at the appropriate dates. Failure to do so will result in the loss of all inheritance, including but not limited to assets, property, shares, personal properties, and the residual remainder of my Estate.
As is now the case, it is essential that Adelaide Montague remain married to Alton Fitzgerald for the remainder of their earthly lives. As Adelaide’s husband, Alton Fitzgerald will have all rights set forth as the primary stockholder in Montague Corporation. If either party files for divorce or attempts to end the marriage, all Montague holdings revert to Alexandria Collins.
Upon the death of either A. Fitzgerald or A.M. Fitzgerald prior to the coming-of-age of A. Collins, all Montague holdings will be held in trust for her until the age of twenty-five or until she has completed a college degree, whichever comes first.
Once the age or degree completion has occurred, in order for A. Collins to inherit the Montague holdings and assets and to fulfill the requirements set forth in this legal document she must adhere to the following:
Being of the legal age of twenty-five (or having completed her college degree), Alexandria Collins must agree to a legal union with a husband who too will represent her and their biological children’s shares in Montague Corporation as well as in the running of private Montague assets.
It is my desire, and thus forth the determination of this last will and testament, that A. Collins will marry Edward Bryce Carmichael Spencer, the son of Suzanna Carmichael Spencer, as outlined below.
E. Spencer must first complete undergraduate and graduate school and prove himself worthy of Montague Corporation. Upon completion of his postgraduate degree, no more than eighteen months may transpire before their union.
Upon their marriage, controlling interest in all things Montague will revert to A. Collins and E. Spencer, with provisions for the continued support and oversight by A. Fitzgerald and A.M. Fitzgerald until the time it is determined that either or both is no longer competent.
If this union does not occur, all Montague holdings and assets will be liquidated. The assets will henceforth be bequeathed to Fitzgerald Investments, leaving both heirs and their descendants without Montague assets.
If the marriage of A. Collins and E. Spencer fails to survive, resulting in divorce or premature death, all Montague holdings and assets will be liquidated and henceforth bequeathed to Fitzgerald Investments, with one exception: in the instance that a male heir exists over the age of twenty-five, the designated heir will retain all holdings and controlling interest.
If it is found that anyone mentioned in this article willfully and purposely hinders my wishes, that beneficiary will be stricken from receiving his or her share of the inheritance.
Once I’d finished, I didn’t look up. Instead, I read it again from the beginning, looking for something I’d missed the first time. With each paragraph dictating my life and essentially the lives of my children, my head moved from side to side. If this were a test question, I’d answer that it was illegal.
Finally, I looked up and said what I was thinking. “This can’t be legal.”
“I assure you, it is—beneficiary stipulations.”
“This is why my momma never left you?”
Alton’s brow furrowed. “Why, Alexandria, would you presume that your mother wanted to leave me?”
“Wait!” I said. “She can’t die. She has to get better. It says in here that if she dies—”
“Your mother won’t die,” Alton said. “I told you to ask yourself if you wanted to see her and if you wanted her better. Dying isn’t nor was it an option.”
I stared in disbelief, remembering Jane’s concerns. Instead of asking Alton if he’d hurt my mother, I changed the subject. “Where is Jane?”
Alton’s head twitched. “What?”
“Where is Jane? I saw her briefly after I arrived.” I could have said ‘was kidnapped and locked in my room,’ but I didn’t. “Where is she? I haven’t seen her since.”
“I don’t know the location of each member of the household staff. That’s your mother’s duty and obviously she isn’t currently capable.”
“Then who’s overseeing the staff?”
“It’ll be your job as lady of Montague Manor, once you and Bryce marry, which is another reason for a leave from your studies. This is a big estate.”
Because hiring cooks and gardeners was more important than my degree? Staying focused, I asked, “Who’s doing it now?”
“I am,” Suzanna volunteered. “I’m doing all I can to help your mother.”
I turned her way. “Where is Jane?”
“She’s no longer with Montague.”
There wasn’t enough gravity in the atmosphere to keep me seated. “What? Why?”
Alton lifted his hand. “The two of you may discuss household staff and budgets after I leave. The information in that document is as simple as I can make it. Tell me, Alexandria, do you plan to fulfill your responsibility as a Montague?”
How many times had my mother asked me a similar question? Yet never had she explained exactly what would be expected of me as a Montague.
“When was this archaic document written?”
Standing behind my chair, I held tightly to the formed back, squeezing the leather until the tips of my fingers blanched. “I was four and my future was dictated?”
Bryce shrugged. “Mine was too, but I’m not fighting it.”
“Why?” I asked louder than I should. “Why aren’t you fighting it? Why would you want to go along with this plan? Do you want to be married to someone who doesn’t love you?”
“This is business, not love,” Alton said.
Bryce stood and faced me. His gray eyes swirled with sadness. “No. I want to marry my best friend. I want to marry the pretty girl who used to swim with me in the lake. I want to marry the beautiful girl who accompanied me to the dances at the academy, who visited me at Duke. I want to raise children with her and have them attend the same academy. I want to hold her hand as our son swims and our daughter runs. That’s what I want.”
I couldn’t form words, not in coherent sentences.
He reached for my hand. “I know this seems out of left field, but really it isn’t. You know I’ve always wanted to marry you, long before I knew about this stupid will. I’ve loved you since we were children.”
“Bryce?” Suzanna asked.
The world moved in slow motion as Bryce’s Adam’s apple bobbed and he fell to one knee. I took a step back when he released my hand and reached into the pocket of his suit coat.
“No, please don’t do this,” I whispered.
Undeterred, he removed a small box from his pocket and opened it to a diamond engagement ring. The stone was huge. I wouldn’t say it was pretty or stunning. It was big. Other than my mother’s, I couldn’t recall seeing a bigger center stone. The diamond sat in prongs on a platinum rather than yellow-gold band. That alone told me that it wasn’t my mother’s ring.
“Remember,” his voice cracked with emotion, “when I told you I had a ring at Duke?”
I nodded.
“This isn’t it.”
“It isn’t?”
“No. This diamond belonged to your grandmother, Olivia. With your mother’s help, I had it reset in a more modern setting. See, Alexandria, this is what she wants, too.” He swallowed again. “I’d be honored if you’d wear it, if you’d wear it forever and be my wife.”
My head moved from side to side. “Bryce…” Tears filled my eyes. “…I don’t love you.” I hesitated, but continued. “I love someone else.”
The muscles and tendons in Bryce’s neck tightened. “You heard Alton. This isn’t about love.”
I looked back at Alton. Suzanna was beside him with tears in her eyes.
Is she nuts?
I concentrated on Alton. “If I say no? If I refuse?”
“Magnolia Woods expects payment. You’re free to walk away from Montague, but what will happen to your mother?”
“But she can’t die. You said that.”
“Oh, I thought you’d learned by now that there are fates worse than death.”
WHERE TO START?
Maybe at the end?
My gaze held tightly to Lennox’s as years’ worth of memories swirled, creating a cyclone that threatened to blow our fragile relationship to pieces. I’d never intended to share this part of my life. That’s not true. I would have done anything to truly share it—with Adelaide, Lennox, and Alexandria. That was before.
After it ended, the way it ended… it was never anything my son needed to know… until it was.
Until now.
When Adelaide left me the final time, she’d made it perfectly clear that we were done, forever and always. The only solace I found in her goodbye was the pain I saw in her beautiful blue eyes and sadness I heard in her voice.
If that makes me more of a bastard, then I guess I am. I would have moved heaven and earth for that woman, but she never allowed it. I couldn’t have given her the life she had. Instead, I could have given her more. Not in money. I would have given her the love and respect she deserved. I did for years… until I couldn’t.
Honestly, I couldn’t blame her for leaving me, not after what I told her. It was one thing to be in love with a man with a dubious past and equally questionable present. That could be easily overlooked as long as the particulars were arbitrary. It was another—too much—to learn that the objectionable past intersected with hers.
Who the hell was I kidding?
It hadn’t intersected: it had collided.
I walked away that day with my head held high, knowing that I’d done what I had to do. I’d done not only what was expected of me, but what was required. I couldn’t face a future with Adelaide without telling her the truth—the whole, painful truth. It turned out to be more than she could handle.
Outwardly I was stoic. It was inside that I ached… more than ached. When she told me to leave, when I walked away, Adelaide Montague took what was left of my heart and humanity.
Angelina was gone. Lennox was running Demetri Enterprises, and my Adelaide had told me to go, never to return. When I thought life couldn’t get worse, it did.
The markets crashed. My justification began to disintegrate before my eyes. Every move, every decision, everything I’d done, everything I’d agreed to, was for Lennox’s future and for Demetri Enterprises. In my mind, the two went hand in hand. I’d built one, neglecting everything else for the other. And then, in two months, the value of it all dropped over fifty percent.
Only on paper, the newscasters said. That wasn’t the truth. I understood how businessmen in the 1920’s found solace in jumping from their office windows. More than once, the thought crossed my mind. I’d endured too much: Angelina’s death, Adelaide’s rejection, and the drop in Demetri holdings. Lennox was married and had what was left of Demetri Enterprises. I was no longer needed.
I’d said I was moving to London for the company. After all, it was a global financial crisis and if we were to survive, Demetri needed to be at the epicenter.
That wasn’t the entire truth. I wanted to be away. I couldn’t face the day-to-day emptiness any longer. Lennox had Jocelyn. Silvia was content with them and her own life. For the first time in my life, no one needed or cared what I did or where I went. It was the coward’s alternative to jumping to my death. I’d seen too many men take their last breaths. I couldn’t do that, but I could fade away.
For years I did. I tried to forget the two women in my life—the two who had left me—and distance myself from the son who didn’t know me. It wasn’t his fault. I’d never tried. That wasn’t who I was.
In the beginning, I worked diligently to distance myself, geographically as well as emotionally. I deleted the applications that allowed me visual access to Montague Manor. The cameras were outdated and the software was archaic by today’s standards. Who’s to say the cameras weren’t eventually found?
Old man Montague, as Vincent had called him, never had cameras installed in the master suites. He was looking at the main living areas as well as office space in the home and at Montague Corporation. It pained me to view even the ones of the main floor, seeing Adelaide wandering aimlessly from room to room, always with a glass in her hand.
Never did I see the woman in my memories. The smile she wore while in her home was faux, a cheap imitation. I’d seen the real one, the designer original, the one that lit up her blue eyes. I’d heard her laughter and knew that what she showed to those who should be closest to her wasn’t genuine. It was too painful, like the twisting of a knife. I couldn’t watch any more of it.
Now, with the recent turn of events, I wish I could. Then again, I doubted the system could even be supported by today’s networks, not without a remodulation of the entire system. It wasn’t like I could send a crew to Montague Manor and announce that their home-security cameras needed to be upgraded.
Though many memories of Adelaide replayed in my head, one that never left me was of her concern over her daughter’s future. She was continually concerned over her father’s wishes for Alexandria
’s future, her predetermined marriage to be exact. From all of Adelaide’s accounts of Alexandria, I never doubted the girl’s ability to fight. It seemed as though she’d been doing that most of her life, ever since I took away her defender.
That thought ate at me, over and over, through the years.
And then Lennox suffered a tragic loss. Of course he didn’t turn to me. I’d never turned to him.
It was a long shot, a pipe dream, a way to unite us once again. Leading two people to the same resort was easier than being sure they’d connect. Neither of them suspected a thing.
I’d taken Adelaide’s daughter’s defender from her when she was too young to understand. Lennox had lost the women he held most dear. Bringing the two of them together was perhaps a shot at redemption, one last attempt to right a wrong that in reality could never be righted.
If I understood what Adelaide had said, if Alexandria married someone other than the young man her grandfather wanted, the Montague fortune would be given to Adelaide’s husband.
I’m a selfish bastard, but that scenario didn’t sound unappealing. My hope was that if that happened, that bastard would leave Adelaide. She would no longer be of any use to him. If that happened then I could offer her a new life—if she would have me.
It had been years since she’d learned my secret. Perhaps time truly did heal all wounds.
It had all worked even better than I’d planned… until now.
Something had happened and I was at a momentary loss. It was time to come clean with Lennox and offer my assistance. It was time that father and son stopped working opposite sides and became a team. If one Demetri could accomplish the things each of us had, then together we could be unstoppable.
“Dad, what is it?”
“Do you have anything stronger than water in this office?”
Lennox’s eyes narrowed. “Are you ill?”
“No.” I stood and walked to the windows. The early evening traffic was starting to build. It was late in London, yet here I was in New York. “I need to tell you something, something I should have told you before.”
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