Starting Over by Cheryl Douglas Read Free Book Online

many
people can say that. Don’t feel sad Sharon’s life was cut short.
Just be proud of the life she lived.”
    “I am proud,”
she whispered, her hands trembling as she set the documents on the
desk. “I’m so proud to have been a part of her life.”
    “There is a
stipulation we need to discuss,” Morris said, looking
uncomfortable. “That money is yours and yours alone. Your current
or future husband will have no claim whatsoever to a dollar of that
money. If they contend otherwise, we’ll fight them as hard as we
have to. That’s the way Sharon wanted it, and I promised her I
would honor her wishes.”
    Eve gaped at
him, unable to believe what she was hearing. “Morris, my husband is
a wealthy man. There’s no way he would want a dime of my aunt’s
money. As for the future, I can’t imagine I’ll ever want to get
married again.” Just the thought of going through that heartbreak
again was more than Eve could handle.
    “You say that
now, but you’re still young. None of us know what the future might
hold.” He hesitated. “Does that mean you’re ready to end your
marriage?”
    Eve didn’t want
to cry again. She’d just acknowledged the truth to herself and her
husband. She wasn’t sure she was ready to share it with anyone else
yet, but she knew Morris was the person she would ask to act on her
behalf. “Yes, I am. I’d like you to get started on proceedings
soon…”
    He handed her
another stack of papers. “Your aunt suspected you may be ready to
take that step, so she asked me to help you when the time came. I
took the liberty of preparing this document, based on your aunt’s
stipulations regarding your inheritance. Of course, you won’t need
to split the assets you shared with Alex, unless of course you want
to. That’s clearly stated in the divorce petition. It should
certainly help speed up the process. As long as you both consent
and there aren’t any complications I’m not aware of, I don’t
perceive any delays.”
    Eve stared at
the big bold letters at the top of the page: Petition for Divorce.
“I… uh…” She’d told Alex their marriage was over, but Morris was
proposing she take the next step and she was getting cold feet.
    “We don’t have
to file until you’re ready. Take all the time you need to think
about it.” He stood up, closing his briefcase. “I’m sure you’ll
have some questions for me once you’ve had a chance to review
everything. I wanted to wait to deal with this until after the
service, but Sharon was adamant that she wanted you to understand
where things stood as soon as possible.”
    Eve stood to
walk Morris out. “Thank you for coming. I’m sure I’ll be in touch
soon.”
    He gave her a
hug. “Hazel and I will be at the service. If you need anything,
don’t hesitate to call.”
    “Thanks,
Morris. I will.”
    “I can show
myself out.” He gestured at the sealed envelope on the desk. “Given
everything I’ve just laid on you, I’m sure you’re anxious to learn
what your aunt was thinking when she set this whole thing in
motion.”
    “I am.”
    “Don’t let me
keep you.”
    Eve closed the
door with a heavy sigh and leaned her back against the solid wood
as she stared at the documents littering the desktop. Her aunt’s
decisions had changed her life, and she couldn’t decide how she
felt. A part of her was honored that her aunt felt Eve was capable
of filling her shoes, but another part of her was a little
resentful she didn’t get to choose her future for herself.
    She took
tentative steps toward the desk, anxious to hear what her aunt
wanted to say and afraid she may be overcome with emotion listening
to Sharon’s last words. She didn’t know when the video had been
recorded. She hoped her vital and vibrant aunt appeared on the
screen instead of the weak, frail shadow of herself that the cancer
had reduced her to.
    Inhaling
deeply, she looked at the vacant chair. If her aunt wanted Eve to
take over the business and carry on