Bequeathed

Chapter Eighteen: The Cost of Inheritance

Rob stays; things are not the same. He leaves the room each time Mr. Simms calls Claire, reminding her that the window for her decision is closing. Claire tries to raise the issue and he dismisses it.

“The decision is yours. There’s nothing to talk about,” he says each time. Claire tries to follow up with, “Think of the good we could do with that money.” At this point, Rob finds a reason to be in another room.

Claire has made an appointment at the courthouse. She knows she can’t trust William; she also knows he will take time to act. He will try to worm his way in before striking. He has been trying to lay his trap like she knew he would. He demanded an actual wedding ceremony just as Claire predicted. Claire told him that she would rather walk away from the money than to have a spectacle of a wedding. He said he would walk away from the arrangement; Claire called his bluff. He demanded more this time. Five million before the marriage and another five once the charade ends. That gave Claire hope that things could be different.

“Well, I’m off,” she says to Rob. “Once I get the paperwork, we can start moving.”

“You look nice,” Rob says. He is still in bed. His eyes are fixed on the television mounted on the wall.

Claire smooths her tan skirt, feeling self-conscious. She was trying to look as businessy as possible. It took her a while to settle on the tan skirt, beige buttoned long sleeve shirt, and coffee-brown heels. She wants to make the terms very clear to William, that this is business, that he’s being paid for a service. Claire wonders if her rifling through her closet has given Rob the wrong impression. Claire eyes her clothes strewn on her side of the bed.

“I’ll start packing those once I get back.” Claire points to the mess of clothes.

“Hmmm.” Rob faces her for the first time. “You do look very nice. I think you should leave your car and take a taxi there and back. Always be in a crowd. Under no circumstances should you be alone in a room with this guy.”

Claire smiles. Rob is back on board. She nods while smoothing the sides of her hair. She checks the back, ensuring the bun is secure.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to drive you there?”

Claire climbs up on the bed and kisses Rob’s cheek. “I don’t want that psycho anywhere near you. I’ll be fine. He needs the money.”

Claire waits to be called. William tries to engage her in conversation while they wait; Claire plays deaf. The ceremony is completed quickly; Claire freezes towards the end. The thought of William’s lips on hers makes her want to vomit. She swallows hard and gives him a little peck. She leaves, hails a taxi without another word. When she gets home, Rob isn’t there. He’s left a note.

I love you, but this is a promise I can’t keep. Claire climbs onto his side of the bed and finds his scent on the pillow and the sheets. Claire smells him and weeps.