The Last Word

The cursor sprinted across the screen, as letters popped up one by one, like little soldiers, banding together to form the words that would be her army, guaranteeing her victory at long last; a reckoning that would shock everyone.

A tiny malicious smirk creased her lips. It was a thing of beauty, perfect in its simplicity, finalizing and satisfying all legal and financial obligations flawlessly. So perfect that should anyone try to contest the document their efforts would yield nothing.

Eyes sparkling with satisfaction, Vanessa skimmed over her words one last time.

Unbidden, her thoughts reflected on her late husband. They had met in college, she had been pre-law, and he had been in his final year of a master’s in business management. Their courtship had been passionate and intoxicating, a perfect storm of grand gestures, extravagant gifts, romantic escapes and picture-perfect moments.

No one was surprised when they became engaged after dating for only 6 months. When they married a year later, her friends had been jealous of her story book romance and how perfect her life appeared. If they had ever had an inkling of the truth hidden behind those picture-perfect images it would have rocked them to their cores.

Vanessa felt her eyes narrow as the familiar wave of icy rage rolled over her. Fingers tapping the delete key she made a few small amendments, then sat back and continued reviewing.

Yes, on the surface her life had been perfect. Spencer had appeared to be everything a woman should want in a man, handsome, charming, well mannered, articulate, educated, successful, financially secure and magnanimous. Yet behind closed doors he was manipulative, controlling and wholly unfaithful.

He had brought his offspring, from his numerous mistresses, home as infants. Handing them over to her as if they were some sort of prize confirming his superiority and demanding that she raise them as her own.  When she had approached him about adopting the children he had just laughed spitefully and categorically refused to allow it; denying her any chance at being any kind of a real mother to them, at the same time threatening her if she dared so much as whisper a word about their true lineage.

That cat was about to get out of the bag, she thought as she tried unsuccessfully to shove the unwanted memories from her mind.

In the public eye Spencer had taken great pains to portray himself as a loving, devoted, family man. With a beautiful wife, adoring children, successful corporate conglomerate, charismatic, philanthropic and humble.  He was always the gracious host, guest of honor, or benefactor at social gatherings or private functions. When he no longer had an audience to perform for, he would revert to being cold and cruel.

As the children grew older, he had taken to spoiling them. Buying their loyalty with gifts in place of love and understanding. Turning them into entitled sycophants that worshiped him as a god and followed in his footsteps when it came to walking all over her.

A bitter giggle bubbled up and out as she refined the document, imagining the stupefied looks that would grace the faces of her presumptive heirs.

Though there were not hers by blood, Vanessa had forced herself to look past her husbands’ infidelities and had done everything possible to show the children love and warmth, trying to earn their respect, trust and love. But Spencer had managed to find a way to twist things and turn them against her, thwarting her every time.

She had provided for them, kept them in fashion, private school, ivy league education, tutors, personal trainers, coaches, internships, lavish parties, exotic vacations and a social calendar full of all the usual events and several invite only occasions that high society demanded.

Vanessa had kept up appearances, made nice with all the right people, doing everything she could to ensure that the children would have a place in society and every advantage to succeed in life. In hindsight maybe that had been a mistake; but it was one that would soon be rectified.

Leaning back in her chair Vanessa closed her eyes, sighing softly. It had never occurred to any of them that the luxurious life they enjoyed was financed by her. She came from old money; growing up her parents had raised her with 3 very clear rules, keep up appearances; never let the outside world know what was going on in your private life. No divorce, it would bring disgrace and shame to the family name. Never flaunt your wealth; best not to attract gold diggers. It was a mandate she had lived by her whole life.

When her parents had passed in a plane crash overseas their whole estate hay d been liquidated, barring a few small heirlooms which had been delivered via courier and the balance had been placed into a Swiss bank account, and held in trust for her until she turned 35. At which time she gained full access to her family fortune. By the time she came into her inheritance Spencer had already shown his true colors, so she had kept the secret of her finances to herself.

Spencer had been so sure he was the master of his own destiny, so in control of every aspect of his world that is had never occurred to him that there was even a remote possibility that she would not pre-decease him. She had even walked in on him once rehearsing the eulogy he planned to give at her funeral in preparation for his role as a grieving widower.

When he had draw up his will he had laughed when the agent had suggested that he add a survivorship clause, calling it unnecessary, in the end however he had added it in thinking it some great joke.

Well the joke is on you my love. She thought venomously.

He had never been patient or interested in the minute details of his legal documents or business proposals. It was one of the many chores he had always expected her to do for him as his dutiful and devoted wife. It was this one conceit which had worked out in her favor.

Thanks to that clause, when Spencer had died in a boating accident all his holdings, both physical and financial, had been transferred into her name, she had liquidated the bulk of his physical assets, the vacation homes, boats, cars, stables, vineyard and orchard. Adding the profits to her Swiss account.

Oh, the irony was just too delicious.

Opening her eyes, she gave her full attention to the computer screen. This is The Last Will and Testaments of Vanessa Alexandra Grey. I, Vanessa Alexandra Grey of 1646 Knotty Pine Acres, Charlotte, North Carolina, 28211 revoke all former wills and testamentary dispositions made by me and declare this to be my last will and testament.

She felt that same harsh smile twisting the corners of her mouth. Oh yes this was going to be one hell of a reckoning. If there was an afterlife, she was going to haunt the rooms when the will was read!

Vanessa had appointed her family’s law firm of Hunter, Gambit and Jackson as the executor. There would be no heirlooms, as she had already gifted her sentimental possessions to her few close friends for their love, friendship and confidence.

The next line left a tidy sum to all the house staff for all their years of service and discretion.

The companies Spencer had left her, she had taken public over the years and quietly sold her shares so there would be no legal claims anyone could make on them or their profits; all perfectly legal. At the time of the sales she had given each of the children a stipend in an amount which, at the time, had been satisfactory and managed to hide the actual profits of the sale.

Now all that remained of the estate was the manor, its furnishings, and her Jaguar sJx convertible; all of which were to be donated or liquidated upon her passing, leaving her Swiss account to be divided and bequeathed as her estate.

A laugh of pure joy escapes her as she read the last portion of her will.

The balance of the estate will be divided equally between any surviving children at the time of my death and having attained the age of 18 years or more, of which I have none.

Since there are no legal heirs or assignees the estate shall be divided in equal sums between the charitable organizations listed as follows.

Below the list of charities was the usual wording about being of sound mind and body, the date and empty places for her signature, and those of her 2 witnesses as well as a notary seal.

Satisfied she pressed save and PRINT.

Rising from her chair she walked over to the printer and collected the still warm pages, slipping them into a manila envelope and sealed it. Vanessa took her coat from the rack, grabbed her car keys and headed out the door in plenty of time to make her appointment at the lawyer’s office.

Time to get this signed, sealed and filed with the court.

Her lips parted into a triumphant smile. After years of enforced silence she would finally be heard. Her day of reckoning would come. She would get the last word, and no one was going to like it.