My Sister Stole My Fiancé—Then My Husband Walked Into Mom’s Funeral

"Forty million?""

The words came out of my mouth so quietly that Alexander had to lean closer to hear me.

He nodded.

"Approximately. The final valuation depends on several outstanding investments and property assessments.""

I stared at him.

My mother had spent the last three years driving an old silver Buick, clipping grocery coupons, and refusing to replace the broken dishwasher in her kitchen.

Forty million dollars.

It seemed impossible.

"Why would Mom have that much money and never tell me?""

Alexander pulled a chair closer.

"Your mother inherited several commercial properties from your grandfather. Over the years, she invested the rental income into development projects, private equity, and land acquisitions. She was considerably more successful than she allowed people to believe.""

I remembered Mom bringing homemade sandwiches to hospital appointments because she didn't want to spend money in the cafeteria.

I remembered her refusing to buy a new winter coat.

"She could have lived anywhere," I whispered.

"She preferred her garden," Alexander replied.

My eyes filled.

That was my mother.

She had never cared about impressing anyone.

Behind us, Vanessa approached.

"What's this about forty million dollars?""

I turned.

She was holding her phone tightly, her face pale.

Alexander closed the folder.

"That's a confidential estate matter.""

"I'm her daughter.""

"Yes. And so is Emily.""

Vanessa looked at me.

"What did she leave you?""

I didn't answer.

She took another step.

"Emily, I'm asking you a question.""

"And I'm choosing not to answer.""

Her eyes narrowed.

"Don't start acting superior because you married a billionaire.""

Alexander calmly stood.

"Vanessa, I'd suggest you speak with the estate attorney rather than make assumptions.""

She laughed.

"Why? Because suddenly everything belongs to Emily?""

I looked at her.

"Did you know about the inheritance?""

Her silence lasted just long enough.

Then she said, "Of course I knew Mom had investments.""

"How much?""

"I don't know.""

"Did she tell you about the properties?""

Vanessa glanced at Daniel, who had just returned from the parking lot.

He looked furious.

"Vanessa," he warned.

She ignored him.

"Mom promised she'd help us. She knew we were building a future.""

I felt something cold settle in my chest.

"She told you she was leaving you money?""

"She said she wanted us to be comfortable.""

"Both of us?""

Vanessa looked away.

Alexander opened his folder again.

"Actually, Mrs. Bennett's will addresses that question.""

He removed a copy and placed it on the table.

"The estate is divided according to a trust established seven years ago. Emily is the primary beneficiary. Vanessa receives a separate inheritance, subject to certain conditions.""

Vanessa snatched the paper.

"What conditions?""

Alexander didn't try to stop her.

She scanned the page.

Then she shook her head.

"This can't be right.""

Daniel moved closer.

"Let me see.""

She handed it to him.

His eyes moved rapidly across the document.

I watched his expression change.

"What?"" Vanessa demanded.

He didn't answer.

"What does it say?""

Daniel finally looked up.

"It says the trust cannot be distributed until the estate administrator completes the investigation.""

Vanessa turned toward Alexander.

"That's ridiculous. You can't freeze our inheritance.""

"I haven't frozen anything. The estate attorney has requested a review of the disputed transactions.""

Daniel folded the document.

"How long will that take?""

"That depends on how cooperative everyone is.""

Vanessa's voice became sharper.

"You're doing this because you're married to Emily.""

Alexander looked at her.

"No. I'm doing this because your mother's estate has been exposed to potentially fraudulent transactions.""

Daniel stepped forward.

"Mr. Carter, I have a reputation in the business world. I won't allow false allegations to destroy my career.""

"Then you should welcome an investigation.""

Daniel's jaw tightened.

For the first time, I noticed his hands trembling.

Vanessa pulled him toward the exit.

"We're leaving.""

She turned to me.

"You think you've won something?""

I remained silent.

She leaned closer.

"That money was supposed to help both of us. Mom knew I needed it.""

I looked directly into her eyes.

"Why did you need it so badly?""

She didn't answer.

Daniel grabbed her arm.

"Vanessa. Now.""

They left.

Aunt Margaret sat beside me.

"Your mother told me something shortly before she died," she said.

"What?""

"She said Vanessa had been asking questions about the trust. She was frightened, Emily. Not of dying. Of what might happen after she was gone.""

I swallowed.

"Why didn't you tell me?""

Margaret looked down.

"Because she made me promise not to interfere until Alexander could explain everything.""

I turned toward my husband.

He nodded.

"Your mother wanted the investigation handled quietly. She believed that if the wrong people discovered the full extent of her estate, they might try to take control before the paperwork was finalized.""

I looked at the funeral flowers.

My mother had known something terrible was coming.

And she had prepared for it.

But there was one thing I couldn't understand.

"Alexander, why did Mom trust you with all this?""

He took my hand.

"Because I was the person who introduced her to the attorney who helped establish the trust.""

I frowned.

"How did you meet her?""

He smiled faintly.

"That's a story for later.""

His phone rang.