“Per the last will and testament of Margaret Jane Harrow, the estate shall be distributed as follows.”
My stomach dropped. We were doing this here. In front of everyone.
My parents received disbursements from the primary trust. Karine received liquid assets, marketable securities, and lifetime access to the Vineyard property. Her glossed lips twitched in satisfaction.
“And to Elise Harrow…”
Such a small pause. Half a second. But it sliced through the room.
“The testator leaves full ownership of the real property located at 11 Wexley Hill Lane, including all fixtures and contents therein.”
Silence.
“That’s it?” The question slipped out before I could stop it. “Just the house?”
Karine let out a cough that sounded like a laugh. My father didn’t turn around. My mother reached back and patted my forearm the way you’d pat a child who’d dropped an ice cream cone. “It’s a very generous gift, Elise. Houses in that area are worth quite a bit.”
“She told me everything was going to me,” I said quietly. “The business, the ring. She told me herself.”
