“What?”
He kept reading without looking at me.
“Her personal savings will be divided between Saint Matthew’s Church and several charitable organizations. To her niece, she leaves her jewelry collection.”
I sat perfectly still, waiting for my name. Mrs. Rhode had promised me everything. She had told me that if I cared for her during the last years of her life, whatever she owned would be mine when she was gone. But the lawyer turned one last page, closed the folder, and looked up.
“That concludes the reading.”
I stared at him.
“That’s it? But she promised me…”
The words dried in my throat as one terrible thought hit me. Had Mrs. Rhode lied to me? I stood up and walked out before either of them could see me cry. By the time I got back to my small rental, my chest ached. I went inside, shut the door, and collapsed onto the bed without removing my boots. At first, I felt anger. Then humil:iation.
