Chapter Eight

My head was already spinning with the implications of Marietta’s deceit. I wasn’t sure I could handle anything else.

“Mama?”

“This is something you can be assured Marietta knows nothing about, at least to my knowledge. Andrew would have told you this when he felt the time was right but I’m guessing he passed before he could.” Martin laid his hand on my arm. “Your mother came from a rich family as well. She entered the marriage with her own set of impressive assets. Before you were even born, she set up a large trust in your name and she intended for you to come into this money on your eighteenth birthday. Your father shared with me that he and your mother believed this was when your adult life would truly begin.”

I was astounded. Not only would I be able to keep my family’s house, but also I wasn’t the poor broke girl I’d always assumed.

“How much?”

“When the trust was set up, the amount was five million. After eighteen years of gaining interest, I’d imagine its well past that point, maybe even doubling or tripling its value. You’re about to be a very rich woman, Quinn.”

My breathing got faster and the room spun. I felt Martin patting my back in comfort but it didn’t really compute. In the course of a few minutes, my entire life had changed. Even now, I couldn’t bring myself to believe that it would last. Marietta, with the help of whatever presence held sway over her, had gone through a lot of trouble to ensure I'd never discover any of this.

It couldn’t be this easy.

“Does Marietta know about the trust?” I whispered.

“As far as I can tell, no. I’m so sorry, Quinn. I see from the expression on your face that life has been harder than I ever imagined. Believe me, if I’d known it was as bad as I’m now suspecting, I would’ve done something about it. Your father was a dear friend to me.”

“It’s okay. You used to be a part of our family. This is a weird request, but is there any way you can check to make sure the money’s still there? I don’t trust that Marietta was clueless so I need to find out.”

“Sure, let me make a few phone calls. Why don’t you go out and wait with your friend? I’ll come out when I’m done.”

He walked me out and asked his receptionist to let his next client know he’d be a little late. Jason walked over and guided me to a chair.

“How did it go? You look a little shell shocked.”

“I had good news and disturbing news. I’m not sure what to make of it all right now. It hasn’t sunk in yet. I’ll have a better idea in a bit. He’s making some phone calls.”

Jason shifted in his chair to stare hard at me. “I realize you don’t know me that well, but if you want to talk, I’m really not a bad guy.”

I found myself wanting to tell him. Trust had become a fantasy to me. It was something I wished was true, but somehow it always felt just out of reach. I didn’t particularly like Jason. He annoyed me more than anyone else I’d ever met, but his blue eyes were filled with concern. Maybe it was easier spilling secrets to a stranger you never planned to see again. If he told anyone about the strange girl who compared herself to Cinderella and hunted for ghosts, who would believe him? I decided to take a leap of faith, based upon the fact that soon I’d be rid of him anyway.

“It kind of has to do with the evil stepmother. My mama died when I was six and my father remarried after I turned eleven. Then, when I was almost thirteen, Daddy died too, leaving me with my stepmother and her two daughters. I wasn’t joking when I told you I had more in common with Cinderella than you’d believe.

“To make a long story short, she’s made my life a living nightmare. Her daughters made my high school life even worse, horrible stuff. I thought I’d be able to leave once I turned eighteen but this morning she said if I left she was going to sell the house that’s been in our family for over two hundred years.

“I learned today that when I turn eighteen, apparently the house reverts to me. It’s only hers temporarily but she never told me that. She led me to believe my father willed the house to her and only her. If I moved away like I’ve planned, she has the right to sell it.”

He laid his hand on my arm. “And she kept that part from you on purpose, knowing you’d want to leave after how they treated you. I take it you don’t want anything to happen to the house?”

“No, it’s all I have left of my family. I wouldn’t expect you to understand but in Savannah, things are different. That house is alive, in a sense, and it’s withstood everything from hurricanes to the Yankees. The spirits of my family still live there. I can’t lose it. Now that I have discovered all this, I’m going to fight for it. I just have to be patient a little bit longer.”

And try not to worry about the strange voice saying I wouldn’t make it to my birthday or the violent attacks.

“That's good. You don’t seem to be the kind of girl to back down from a fight. So, I’m guessing this is where the good news comes in?”

“Maybe. Mr. Bradley also told me my mama had set up a trust fund that I would have access to once I turned eighteen. A trust fund my stepmother knew nothing about, at least we assume that. He’s calling now to make sure it’s still there in its entirety. I wouldn’t put it past her to have found out and taken it.”

He studied me for a bit. “You’re one of the strongest people I’ve ever met. It may sound corny but I felt it even when we first met. Maybe it was the way you shot me down or seeing you’re normal after what I witnessed this morning at the set. You deserve a break.”

Before I could say anything about his surprising observations, Martin came out of his office smiling and I stood.

“I talked to an associate at the bank and your trust fund is intact. We’ve agreed to add another layer of protection to the account. No one can access it now unless they have both of our signatures. Better safe than sorry, right?”

I let out a sigh of relief and hugged him. “Thank you so much. You have no idea what this means to me. I’ll come back on my birthday and maybe we can get the papers filed to get Marietta out of my house.”

“If we had more time, I’d suggest filing to become an emancipated minor but it would take too long and it would tip our hand to Marietta. Just remember what I said Quinn, be careful.”

He had no idea how much I was going to take that advice to heart.