Neighbors

Chapter 17

"I don't understand," Liza said as she took the papers from the man across from Owen. "Owen?"

The man chocked on the water he was taking a drink from then started coughing.

"Are you alright?" Owen asked emotionless, if Liza had to take a guess, he could really care less that the man was having trouble breathing right now.

"I'm...I'm fine," the man nodded as he wiped his mouth with his handkerchief. "I apologize, it just startled me."

"Anyway," Owen said calmly, "Miss Masters, this is your husband's will and deed and title to the property and house you previously occupied. He had a million in this account here and this is the trust fund set up for one Kyler James Masters that his grandparents set up at the time of his birth. There was a separate fund for Kyler but your husband withdrew the money on that account since he was put as the primary account holder but he did not have access to this other one."

"I know I've said this before, but I just don't understand," she shook her head. "Are you telling me that he had hidden money, Owen? That we were struggling for no reason?"

"Yes," he nodded. "From what I have investigated, he didn't want you to have access to any of this money because it stipulates that if his wife was put on the account he was no longer the primary account holder and you would have the ability to access the money without his knowledge. Kyler will have access to his trust fund once he reaches the age of 18 as long as it is for educational purposes. If he chooses not to go to college then he gets the money at 21, unless there is substantial evidence that he doing drugs or putting his life at risk then his primary caregiver gets control over it until he can remain sober and healthy until the age of 25."

"Wow," she whispered as she stared at the papers. Tears started to stream down her face, "all those years of him taking my checks and barely making it, for no reason at all. I never would have touched his other money even if I knew about it and I certainly never would have touched Kyler's money. I have no rights to it."

"He believed you would take everything and leave him if you found out," the other lawyer said opening his briefcase. "He was in the process of suing you for spousal support and for slander. He said you portrayed him in a negative view towards others and was even gathering evidence for mental and emotional abuse."

"What?" She looked up at him in shock.

"It doesn't matter anymore," Owen said shaking his head. "He never would have had enough proof for that, and the case would have been dismissed instantly with all the charges against him. But since he passed while you were still married, everything now goes to you. You receive the money, the house, the land, everything is yours now besides Kyler's inheritance."

"No," she shook her head. "I don't want it." She passed the papers to Owen, "Is there anyway you can give all this to Kyler and Kiairi, Owen, please?"

"I need you to be honest with me, Miss Masters, is your husband on your daughter's birth certificate?" Owen asked as he set the papers on the desk.

"No," she shook her head, "he refused to take me to the hospital, I had to take Kyler and myself there. He was never there for anything. He swore I was cheating but I wasn't, I promise."

"I believe you," he nodded. "But since he is not on the birth certificate, as of right now she has no rights to anything. I would have to file for a DNA test on her and Kyler to prove sibling relationship and then once it is proven then we can file for her to receive whatever amount you and Kyler deem acceptable."

"I don't want anything to do with anything of his," she shook her head. "Is there anyway you can discuss this with Kyler privately please after it is proven they are siblings? Please, Owen?"

"Very well," he nodded. "If that is what you want."

"It is," she nodded, "thank you."

"Is there anything else you need to discuss?" Owen asked looking at the other lawyer who was still looking at Owen in disbelief.

"No," he shook his head. "I believe everything is um, handled."

"Very well," Owen said straightening his tie, "if there is anything else that needs to be discussed, you can contact me. Miss Masters has made it perfectly clear that she wants nothing to do with the will of her former husband."

The lawyer nodded and left. "I can't believe it," she whispered as she shook her head. "I mean, I can because I knew his parents had money, so it makes sense that he would hide it away from me but to put me and the children through all the things he did is just..."

"Ridiculous," Owen finished for her. "I know," he crouched down in front of her, "but you don't have to go through that anymore, remember that."

"Can we just go home please?" she asked, "my hand is starting to hurt."

"Of course," he nodded, "we just have to make one more stop before going home."

"Okay," she nodded as she stood. She followed him out of the office and smiled gratefully when he opened the door for her then buckled her in. He reached behind her to grab something and when he sat back right he handed her a sling, making her gasp in surprise. "Thank you."

"Of course," he nodded as he helped her adjust it properly. "Now, let's get you some food before heading home."

"What?" she asked confused. "I can eat at home."

"You can also get some lunch with me, unless you don't want to."

"No, that's fine," she said quickly. "I just... I didn't mean it like that."

Owen shook his head while letting slip a tiny smirk on his lips, "I know."

"You were messing with me!" She gasped as realization dawned on her. "Owen!"

"Now, how does Chinese sound?" he asked pulling out onto the road.

She rolled her eyes but had a soft smile, "it sounds perfect."